Unable to re prime federal cases.

J

jkc

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Was just at the press, and I re primed 20 winchester, .223 cases with CCI small rifle magnum primers. Went on to the Federal cases, and the primers didn't want to go in. The first one went in reluctantly, and was not quite flush, and sort of angled. Didn't think much of that, then the next one really did not want to go in, and was not flush at all and very angled in the pocket. Just for arguments sake, I tried a third and it wasn't going in either. Any suggestions?

All the priming was done at my Lee single stage press, using the ram to do the work. Not sure what else information is needed.
 
Yup, Federals headstamped FC are milspec and have crimped primers. Once
u remove the crimp you will be good to go. Not removing the crimp will result
in crushed primers.
dB
 
My first guess would also be a crimped primer pocket. It is more common on military brass but can be found on other stuff too.

You could try using your case mouth deburring tool on the primer pocket for a few good twists then see if it seats a primer easily.

If this is the case and you have a lot to do a Lyman reamer in a drill or drill press makes quick work of them.

Ammosmith on youtube using some methods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uii9MaO28Zc&feature=related


Here's a guy doing it with a drill and proper size bit. They just need a touch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=943a9yWd5SA
 
jkc said:
Was just at the press, and I re primed 20 winchester, .223 cases with CCI small rifle magnum primers. Went on to the Federal cases, and the primers didn't want to go in. The first one went in reluctantly, and was not quite flush, and sort of angled. Didn't think much of that, then the next one really did not want to go in, and was not flush at all and very angled in the pocket. Just for arguments sake, I tried a third and it wasn't going in either. Any suggestions?

All the priming was done at my Lee single stage press, using the ram to do the work. Not sure what else information is needed.
Click to expand...

Federal "American eagle tactical" is crimped, u need a crimp remover if that's the case... Load alot get a super swager by dillon, only a few hundred get the Lyman or simmiliar... There was a RCBS swager die in the EE not long ago but probably sold by now.
 
RCBS primer pocket swagger combo or Dillon super swagger as was previously mentioned.
I use the RCBS because the Dillon needs to be bench mounted and space on my bench is limited.
 
A twist with a chamfering tool will do the job nicely.
I've never had good luck with my RCBS tool. The Dillon is reported to be superior.
But if I am doing a large batch of crimped cases, I just put a deburring tool in my small lathe, and process them just as fast as any swaging tool.
 
maynard said:
You do not need magnum primers for a .223. Be very careful working up your loads.
Click to expand...

actually, you do if it's BALL powder- or climactic conditions dictate - you might "get away" with a standard primer, or just use winchester or soemthing that is applicable to BOTH
 
Thanks for the advice on the magnum primers. I read that those were the ones to use with the BL-C2 powder. I always start at the lowest point and work my way up in low increments.

I only have 20 of the Federal stamped brass so I thought I would try the easy way out. Grabbed the chamfer tool and slowly twisted until I couldn't feel any lip in the primer pocket. Went to the press and the primer was seated easily. Thanks for all the help!

Now that I know about the crimp, I'll keep my eyes open for that. My rifle couldn't digest the Federals anyways.
 
daBear said:
Yup, Federals headstamped FC are milspec and have crimped primers. Once
u remove the crimp you will be good to go. Not removing the crimp will result
in crushed primers.
dB
Click to expand...

The FC headstamps apply to all Federals or just those with a military application (.223 and .308)?
 
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