Loose Primer pockets

scott_r

scott_r

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Behind a .204 Ruger
I just reloaded up some .204 ruger rounds, this is my 3x reloading this brass and notice about 3 or 4 of the 50 have somewhat loose primer pockets. Why is this happening to only some cases and not all. Im close to max load and have no signs of pressure

Cheers!!
 
The very base of the case is unsupported by the chamber and when the chamber pressure exceeds the yield strength of the brass the brass stretches and flows.

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So you have brass hardness and case construction when dealing with chamber pressure. Below a Federal .223 case has a much thinner flash hole web and softer brass than the military 5.56 case so the 5.56 case can withstand far more pressure.

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Over 95% of the cases below are .223 Federal factory loaded once fired cases with oversized primer pockets with the thin flash hole web in the base of the case.

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Bottom line as stated above in earlier postings, over sized primer pockets are caused by high pressure. This pressure varies between brands of cases, meaning construction and brass hardness and how hot you load.

How Hard is Your Brass? 5.56 and .223 Rem Base Hardness Tests
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/05/how-hard-is-your-brass-5-56-and-223-rem-base-hardness-tests/

TEST RESULTS
Using Rockwell hardness standards (.062″x100kg, Rockwell “B”), the brass measured as follows:

LC 2008 = 96

Lapua 223 Match = 86

Winchester 223 = 69

Remington “R-P” = 49

Summary of Test Results
Catshooter writes: “For all you guys that have believed that Winchester cases were tougher than Remington — you are vindicated, they are a lot tougher! However, Lake City and Lapua are ‘the pick of the litter'”. Catshooter notes that both Lake City and Lapua are significantly harder than either Winchester and Remington .223 brass. That’s something that we’ve observed empirically (Lapua and LC stand up better to stout loads), but now we have some hard numbers to back that up. Hats off to Catshooter for settling the hardness debate with his Ames Hardness Gauge.

Sometimes switching to a larger diameter primer will fix the problem.

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And a picture is worth a thousand words, the picture below was posted in a AR15 forum. And the poster said he didn't worry about loose primer pockets and just replaced the bolt when it got bad enough. And Forest Gump said "Stupid is as stupid does".:bangHead:

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Im using Hornady Brass...only stuff you can actually find for the .204 in my neck of the woods.

When I say loose they dont fall out of the pocket and cant be pushed in by hand , just require alot less hand pressure then the rest.

I will reduce my loads....hate to do as they were so good...but better safe then sorry.
 
scott_r said:
Im using Hornady Brass...only stuff you can actually find for the .204 in my neck of the woods.

When I say loose they dont fall out of the pocket and cant be pushed in by hand , just require alot less hand pressure then the rest.

I will reduce my loads....hate to do as they were so good...but better safe then sorry.
Click to expand...

I consider brass as an expendable component. I've got a load for my 204 that is under book max and it was stretching pockets after 3 firings using Hornady brass. Sucks but it is what it is.

As a side not for you, WSS has some Nosler 204 brass if your looking for different brass to try.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
I consider brass as an expendable component. I've got a load for my 204 that is under book max and it was stretching pockets after 3 firings using Hornady brass. Sucks but it is what it is.

As a side not for you, WSS has some Nosler 204 brass if your looking for different brass to try.
Click to expand...

I saw that but they wanted $70 bucks plus tax for 50 pieces....too rich for me.

Cheers!!
 
Crush and recycle those cases, not worth it.

Reduce your load to try to extend the life of what's left.

Brass cost in the end is around 10% of the cost of your reloads, so if you cannot afford 100$ brass how can you afford to reload it for 1000$?
 
Hi Scott,

I don't know the supply for your caliber but I would try Mystic Precision. PRVI is not that expensive and tough by most of the posts here. Something for you to try. Good luck.

Regards
Ron

PS. I have around 300 federal brass and as others have posted, primer pockets are loosening up after 3 reloads. (Originally Federal blue box.) We shoot mild loads, about 1/3 of the min to max scale for our 7/08's. I purchased some PRVI from Jerry and by all accounts it is less expensive and durable. <<< for what it's worth.

Dogleg "Maybe you can get the cases to do Kegels. "
Hitzy "If it's federal brass, then loose primer pockets are just a feature..."

Priceless.
 
scott_r said:
Its not I can't afford it, I just dont like being bent over a screwed up the bum..paying almost $2 for a piece of .204 brass...you may like it..I dont.
Click to expand...

But if you only get 4-5 loads out of Hornady, or 20 out of say Norma, which one puts you farther ahead?
Plus hornady outsources a lot of product, you could get federal, Winchester, S&B, or who knows what.
With lapua or Norma you know what you are getting.
 
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