Stretched Primer Pockets?

labrador76

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
Location
N46 W79
So I sat down to prime some once fired brass this afternoon and I noticed immediately that I was not having to push very hard to seat the primers. I am very new to reloading, only having primed 60-75 cases but these were clearly easier to seat than the others I have seated. I was even able to push a primer into more than one case with just my fingers and not much pressure.

The brass is from a factory box of Federal Power Shok, (blue box) in .270 WSM.

This can't be good right?! I have read some mumblings and bad talk about federal brass, but as I mentioned I have no experience of my own to draw on.

So is this unusual at all or am I crazy? It certainly can't be safe to load!?

Thanks.
Paul
 
Federal (FC) brass seems to not last that long (supposedly GMM is better but I have never used it). I generally avoid using it.

If you can push the primers in by hand, scrap the brass.
 
From a factory box but is it once fired or has it been reloaded previously?

While using some nickel plated brass, I was told the primer pockets seem to stretch earlier than Brass.

Signs of pressure that is not normally seen in Factory Ammo.
 
From a factory box but is it once fired or has it been reloaded previously?

Once fired, I bought and fired the rounds myself. I actually recently reloaded another box with the same batch number and I have fired most of them as well with no problems that I have noticed.
 
Try another brand of primer. The Winchester primers - especially the new brass-coloured ones - seem to be smaller in diameter than the other manufacturers.
 
sounds like the aluminum 9mm/45acp "brass" i've been reloading, after 2-3 firings primers just about fall in. i had one primer fall out after i shot it.
 
Try another brand of primer. The Winchester primers - especially the new brass-coloured ones - seem to be smaller in diameter than the other manufacturers.

Holly crap. Is nothing Constant???? This is upsetting!
 
You're pulling legs here eh?

No one I know is stupid enough to reload aluminum.

haha, no legs being pulled, not on purpose anyhow. there was a bunch in my pile of brass i collected and they are boxer primed. it was more of a just to see if i could, and i did! with great results.
 
If you can get your hands on some Wolfe Primers they are about .001" bigger on diameter. Should be able to get you a few more reloads in those stretched out primer pockets.
 
Back
Top Bottom