Small Primer pockets?

[Ohno]

I was reloading some .223 cartridges the other day and after decapping and FL resizing I was trying to prime the cases. I'm using the Lee "O" press with the integrated priming tool. Primers were: WSR.

The cases look once fired and have LC, a circle with a cross in it, and 08 on the headstamp.

The first case primed ok, but it was tough to do. It required more effort than other cases I've primed. The second case mangled the primer, I then tried a different case and used a hand priming tool, the results were the same. I then used a deburring tool to chamfer out the mouth of the primer pocket. This allowed the primers to seat, but they were still tough to get in.

So is the problem too small primer pockets ? What is the solution to this problem?

 

[raks]

The circle/cross mark is a NATO stamp. Military (NATO) brass usually has a crimp on the primer pocket. The only way to easily reprime military brass is to chamfer or swage the primer pockets.

I usually don't bother with .223, but if you aren't loading a large volume it may be worth your time.

 

[daBear]

Yup, crimped primer du milspec brass. Simple fix with reamer or swager. Probably set you back a whopping $5....U shud have one anyways as the Lee tool can also chamfer case necks in and out and there is more commercial milspec popping up.
dB

 

[Handloader B.C.]

Primer Pockets

Unless you have a need for large quantity brass, I think military brass is more time than it is worth. But if you want to do the work, the primer pocket swage system is by far the least time consuming and the results are more consistant.
Carry on!

 

[CyaN1de]

I have used a chamfer tool to remove the crimp on Military brass. It only takes a few turns to remove the crimp.

 

[308BAR]

My experience wit chamfering is that it may not work for all the brass, I still found the primer pocket pretty tight on most LC brass. I purchase a swager to take care of the primer pocket. It works great if you want to use Mil-brass.

 

[Tomochan]

I've used the chamfer tool also but and it works most of the time but be advised that it isn't 100% effective - a turn or two too many and you run the risk of dropping a primer and a turn too little and you ruin a case and primer when seating. I have given up using LC, American Eagle and other mil brass and a warning if you don't already know - avoid Igman brass, you will brake more decapping pins than you will remove primers !