Primers didn't seat flush

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Ccctennis

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I reloaded some rounds for my 6.5/284. Got to the range and I couldn't close the bolt. Took a look and noticed my primers aren't flush with the case head. Should I pull them? I didn't want to force the bolt closed. This is the first time I have ever had this issue. Since they are loaded I need advice on How you guys would proceed with this issue? Thanks
 
Every manual I know of specifically warns NOT to touch primers after charging the case. . .

On the other hand, I've tried to set primers off by abusive seating, and never have. I'd reseat, gingerly.
 
I would pull the bullet and remove the powder before trying to reseat them. There is no way I would attempt to do so with powder and a bullet in them.

Maybe I am just being overly cautious, but that is my nature...
 
I was hit in the left side of my chest when I had just started reloading doing basically the same thing I was about 17 yrs old , trying to fix some 22 Hornets that I had reloaded anyhow I still carry that perfectly round scar were the Brass buried up in me until it hit a rib bone stopping the case. Just sayin it happened to me. Go with your gut. Be Careful
 
Ummm, I'm not one for Chicken Little thinking but I don't think I'd ever try to reseat a primer on a loaded round. I'd pull the bullets, save the powder, and reseat the primers, then reload as usual.

FWIW; inspection is an integral part of reloading, inspecting the round after every operation is a very good idea. I check/inspect after picking up brass at the range through each step, to looking at the completed round as I put it in the box...
 
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I'm still green but I think it would be Much safer to pull the bullet dump the powder & then re-seat. Better to be safe than testing your luck.
 
Pull them apart first, then reseat. It's not likely there'd be any issue....but the consequences of inadvertent ignition on a loaded, unsupported case could be pretty bad.
 
They were federal match primers 210m. They say perfectly straight in my reloading trays so I didn't catch them slightly raised. My winchester primers never had this issue before. This is the 3-4 time I have reloaded this brass. Thanks for the information. I will pull the bullets and re work the loads
 
That RCBS tool is one of the best there is for hand seating leverage. In fact I use it rather than the Lee to seat CCI rifle/mag primers in tough cases like the Grendel & M1-Carbine.

Squeeze/seat until you come to a hard stop.
(Now you know)
:thumbup:
 
I'm glad to hear that ur gonna pullem and start over its surely not worth what could happen. Like what happened to me 30yrs ago, I was just a kid teaching myself I didn't have anyone to help teach me. But like mdi said inspect everything.
 
First off pulling them or shooting them on second strike will be the best options. However I made a blast shield to use on my Rock Chucker with a ram prime tool. Take a soup can with top removed and cut a hole in the bottom center big enough to slide a die down inside. Then cut about 1/3 of the side of the can off in a U shaped bite leaving a small lip at the bottom of the U where the bottom of the can is. Remove sharp edges where cuts are. To use, slide the ram prime down into the hole in the bottom of the can until it contacts the lock nut. Screw the die/shield into press until tight with the opening away from you. Install the shellholder in the ram prime and then use as usual going with even pressure on the press handle. Use eyes and ears also stand back just in case.
 
FROGO207 said:
First off pulling them or shooting them on second strike will be the best options. However I made a blast shield to use on my Rock Chucker with a ram prime tool. Take a soup can with top removed and cut a hole in the bottom center big enough to slide a die down inside. Then cut about 1/3 of the side of the can off in a U shaped bite leaving a small lip at the bottom of the U where the bottom of the can is. Remove sharp edges where cuts are. To use, slide the ram prime down into the hole in the bottom of the can until it contacts the lock nut. Screw the die/shield into press until tight with the opening away from you. Install the shellholder in the ram prime and then use as usual going with even pressure on the press handle. Use eyes and ears also stand back just in case.
Click to expand...

Your blast shield would work great for a rogue primer explosion, but I would not trust it with a loaded cartridge (obviously). He still needs to pull the bullets and dump the powder before trying to reseat the primers, and when doing so, a blast shield would not be a bad idea.
 
CAUTION: After charging the case, the only operation that should be done is to seat the bullet. Never try to seat a primer after powder has been added.

This is a quote from Lee Precision rifle die instructions. It is printed in bold type.
 
Ccctennis said:
I reloaded some rounds for my 6.5/284. Got to the range and I couldn't close the bolt. Took a look and noticed my primers aren't flush with the case head. Should I pull them? I didn't want to force the bolt closed. This is the first time I have ever had this issue. Since they are loaded I need advice on How you guys would proceed with this issue? Thanks
Click to expand...

I would pull them before attempting to reseat the primers. Also, primers should be a few thousandths below flush with the case head. You want to seat a primer till it bottoms out in the primer pocket, doing so should leave the primers a few thousandths below the case head and not flush with it. I would not attempt to seat or reseat a primer in a charged case.

Business card over a few seated primers, note the gap.
Primer%20Seat%202.png

Ron
 
Are you sure it is the not flush primer causing the bolt to not close fully? I might mark/smoke a round and gently try to chamber it and see that there isnt a long seated bullet or shoulder not set back enough just to make sure before I pulled all of them.
 
Not familiar with RCBS but my Lee hand primer will leave primers high unless you take your thumbs and close the lever all the way. They suggest in their manual that this is NOT the way to do it but I'll NOT chamber a round with an exposed, non-flush primer - even with a single shot rifle. IMHO autoloaders have a legitimate reason to demand a definitive answer regarding seating primers flush with a given tool. It does seem to me that using the tool to seat the primers flush while the case is still empty is going to be safer than trusting a slamming bolt face to do it
 
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