Removing primer crimp
- Thread starter caporal
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I bought an RCBS primer swage kit a couple years ago - have done many hundreds of 5.56 and a couple hundred 7.62 NATO - just did 250 x IVI 5.56 this past summer. I have never used any other version, so nothing to compare with. Seems to work just fine, once you get the punch depth set like the instructions tell you.
Damn I was not looking with the good description, With primer swage kit in description I found at cabelas within minutes! Thanks
Home Depot and others sell a counter simck tool for your drill. Costs about $7.00
Just touch this to the primer pocket and ream off the lip. You can do a bucket of brass quickly.
The top tool in this picture:
Just touch this to the primer pocket and ream off the lip. You can do a bucket of brass quickly.
The top tool in this picture:
These are the right tools for the job. Uniformer for the bottom of the primer pocket.
Reamer that bottom on the primer pocket. This give a consistent - uniform crimp removal with a uniform bevel, from case to case. You cannot damage the pocket with the reamer. You can use both or just the reamer.
I use both on an electric drill.
My method :
Uniform primer pocket first.
Ream crimp.
Since the reamer bottom in the pocket - uniform pocket produce very uniform reamer cut from case to case.
It is fast and neat and produce the best result.
Reamer that bottom on the primer pocket. This give a consistent - uniform crimp removal with a uniform bevel, from case to case. You cannot damage the pocket with the reamer. You can use both or just the reamer.
I use both on an electric drill.
My method :
Uniform primer pocket first.
Ream crimp.
Since the reamer bottom in the pocket - uniform pocket produce very uniform reamer cut from case to case.
It is fast and neat and produce the best result.
Attachments
Well that was quick. All your best options listed already.
The countersink is the cheapest and works just fine in a drill.
I own the RCBS pocket swagger that mounts in the press. Works well but takes a bit of force sometimes.
I borrowed a Dillon super swage once and it was by far my favorite but it also costs a couple hundred.
The countersink is the cheapest and works just fine in a drill.
I own the RCBS pocket swagger that mounts in the press. Works well but takes a bit of force sometimes.
I borrowed a Dillon super swage once and it was by far my favorite but it also costs a couple hundred.
I have the Dillon Super Swage and the RCBS tool and much prefer the Dillon. However for doing just a few cases or "tuning up" something done in the Dillon, I use a case mouth deburring tool for both case mouths and primer crimps.
You have multiple options. You can use a reamer and remove the crimp. Lyman and RCBS have these.
You can use RCBS Primer Pocker Swager Combo, used it for many years with success. Cheap but slow when you're working a few hundred or more cases...
Recently purchased, the Lee APP. Works like a charm. It will cost you around $130 and you'll have a great little press for case prep operations with automatic case feeding...
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Just to expand on what others have said if you have hundreds of cases to do any method that you have to hold the cases will make your fingers and hands very sore.
If you plan on doing hundreds of cases then spend the money on a good swedge tool. If you are just doing a few cases the Hornady primer pocket reamer works well.
Below I would use the VLD deburring tool to remove 75% of the crimp and then use the top RCBS crimp remover to finish. The RCBS reamer is tapered and will only remove the crimp and bevel the mouth of the primer pocket. The problem is holding the cases and getting sore fingers. I did a 5 gallon bucket full of .223/5.56 cases and ended up with very sore fingers.
I ended up buying the Hornady press mounted swedge below. You adjust the amount of swedge at the top of the die. This was after buying the RCBS swedge and many other types of reamers.
If you plan on doing hundreds of cases then spend the money on a good swedge tool. If you are just doing a few cases the Hornady primer pocket reamer works well.
Below I would use the VLD deburring tool to remove 75% of the crimp and then use the top RCBS crimp remover to finish. The RCBS reamer is tapered and will only remove the crimp and bevel the mouth of the primer pocket. The problem is holding the cases and getting sore fingers. I did a 5 gallon bucket full of .223/5.56 cases and ended up with very sore fingers.
I ended up buying the Hornady press mounted swedge below. You adjust the amount of swedge at the top of the die. This was after buying the RCBS swedge and many other types of reamers.
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I have been using the deburring tool on my Frankford case prep tool, do everything at the same time after resizing. Yes your fingers get sore but i do as many as i feel my hands can handle at a time. Just picked up a Dillon super swage but need some parts that where missing.
Jonesyatpl
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanoose Bay, BC
Drill press with same. Keeps spinning. As fast as you can touch it, it's done.
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
I had a couple of hundred 45 acp cases with swaged pockets and I gradually cleaned them up with a slightly larger (say 1/4") sharp twist drill with a piece of dowel for a handle. Just like a manual pocket cleaner. Metal center drills with a broken pilot have too sharp an angle I would think.
I have the RCBS primer pocket swager and the Lyman crimp remover that mounts in their trimmer. The RCBS is OK but requires more muscle so I prefer the Lyman as it not only removes the crimp but also puts a slight bevel on the primer pocket which makes repriming a lot easier, especially on progressive presses where the case might not be 100% centered in the shell plate.
