223 brass priming problem

todbartell

todbartell

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I was priming some 223 brass this morning, and encounted five pieces that, when I tried to prime (RCBS hand primer), the primer went in VERY hard, and flattened/crushed it.

The headstamps are 'F N M 83-8' (range pickup IIRC)

never loaded milsurp type brass before. these brass were five rejects out of 40 successfully primed cases.

is this normal? :confused: a matter of quality control?
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These cases would have had crimped primers when made. If you didn't work on the pockets, probably someone else did, or you wouldn't have been able to prime 40 out of 45 without crushing the primers.
 
As mentioned, swag the pocket. How badly are they crushed? I've shot lots that were mildly munched and have had no problems.
 
I didnt do anything to the pockets, just deprime and load

the may not be true military cases, maybe cheap FMJ factory ammo? :confused:
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there's still a primer crimp-that's why you crushed those primers- you can also get a little reamer that removes the crimp- about 3 bucks or so- also watch for primers that go in too easy or fall out- i've had that happen with that lot- i've got about 160 or so of those on plastic strippers
 
Primer pocket swager

RCBS makes a primer pocket swager combo for both small and large primer pockets. Been using one for 30+ years. FNM brass in .223 . once weighed and sorted can produce some very accurate loads.
 
thanks guys, if I ever try to load some whacky headstamped stuff again (non W-W/R-P/F-C), I will pick up one of them pocket decrimpers

:)
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