Tight Primer pockets using hornady brass

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Hi Guys,

I was loading 308 yesterday.

I typically use Lapua brass with no issues. I found some nice clean Hornady brass (once fired from Hornady factory loads) that I had laying around. I noticed the primer pockets were incredibly tight. It was next to impossible to seat the primer all the way in. I primed 2 cases and gave up. I am using a hand held primer tool. I even cleaned out the primer pockets (really well) with a primer pocket cleaner.


I switched to Winchester brass and had no issues.


3 questions.

1. Is it ok to and would you recommend I try to use lube in the primer pockets?
2. Has anyone else had this issue with Hornady brass? Could this brass have been meant for a slightly smaller primer?
3. Should I just toss out the brass (40 pcs) and forget about it?
 
1. I would not use lube in the primer pocket, the proper fix is a primer pocket uniformer. But I'd you can actually seat the primers it won't hurt anything.

2.i have some tight pockets in my 500mag brass from hornady, but i don't mind it being so tight.

3.see answer 1.
 
I found Federal GMM brass the same, and suspect the primers were lightly crimped. I used a primer pocket uniforming tool, and they were fine after that.
 
In over 47 years of reloading I have never found a primer pocket too tight, meaning under the minimum diameter. (I'm knocking on wood)

pocketdepth_zpsb6063cfa.jpg


calhoonprimers02_zpsb8295b11.png


BUT there is a difference in "leverage" and how hard you have to push or pull.

leeprimertool_zps5d1ab538.jpg


RCBSPrimer-b_zps7e084f16.jpg


Try lubing the pivot points of your priming tool and keep any oil and grease away from your primers.

If a primer pocket uniformer or reamer fits inside the primer pocket it is not too small. And a few reloading from now you will be glad the primer pockets were snug and not throwing the brass away for loose primer pockets.

I use pin gauges to check for oversized primer pockets "BEFORE" seating a primer and you could also use pin gauges to check for undersized primer pockets. Just measure a few of the primers you are using and the chart above and order two or three pin gauges as GO NO-GO gauges.

looseprimer005_zps7fe118e2.jpg


P.S. I have never heard a man complain about it being too tight, so remember if the primer pocket doesn't scream when you stick the primer in your good to go. :cheers:
 
I wouldn't complain about it being a little tight. It was next to impossible to seat the primer all the way in. I was using both hands to squeeze the primer tool. I am not a weak man, i was using full strength.

Primers went in half way, and would not set all the way in.

They must have been crimped in. I will take some measurements and compare to the drawings posted. Thanks for the info guys.
 
Ooops, my two dyslexic typing fingers are slow and when I started my post no one had replied yet. But Dogleg hit the nail on the head and you may have match grade cases for use in the M14 with crimped primers.

You don't need to toss them and a cheap crimp remover will solve any crimped primers.

I like the RCBS crimp remover for their case prep station, it will only remove the crimp, it has a positive stop and bevels the primer pocket opening.

reamertips002_zps4ce4694b.jpg
 
Yeah i have a few 100 pieces of .308 hornady match brass that I had to reamer the primer pockets out on because they were crimped.

I aquired a used end mill the proper size of a large primer and went to town on them. Works great now and some of the best brass I've ever used. Don't toss premium brass.
 
I personally like the Hornady brass and have shot-out a few hundred of them. Then again, I use a primer that uses my press' ram to seat. As said, uniform them or toss them my way if I see you at the range on Saturday :p.
 
Pr589 said:
I personally like the Hornady brass and have shot-out a few hundred of them. Then again, I use a primer that uses my press' ram to seat. As said, uniform them or toss them my way if I see you at the range on Saturday :p.
Click to expand...

I will see you this Saturday. I plan on going. Are you going to be there?
 
Yeah, they're crimped for sure. When I first started reloading, I couldn't understand why I was having so much trouble getting the primers in some brass
 
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