Crimped primers

hpluseleven · Oct 27, 2015

I've got a bunch of range pickup 5.56 brass and I'm having trouble telling if the primer pocket has already been swaged on some of it.

Specifically LC brass-some of it has obviously been reamed before: the bevel is clearly visible and I don't feel anything when I stick my Lyman reamer in the primer pocket. Some of it is tight (reamer doesn't easily slide into the primer pocket).

I also have the RCBS primer pocket swager-and I'm not feeling a difference between what I suspect are virgin cases and what I suspect has been fired before.

For blasting, I'm not too concerned about it but I'd like to segregate the once fired stuff for hunting and precision loads. Or am I overthinking this?

I sort by headstamp and have batches for other rifle brass, but pistol I just toss in the bucket and load and shoot. What are you guys doing with 5.56?

W.E.G. · Oct 27, 2015

Known-quality, once-fired 5.56 brass is abundant and cheap.

I would NOT consider using any range-pickup 5.56 brass which is obviously somebody else's handload.

Some people are loading 5.56 stupid-hot, and what's worse, you can't even convince them of their folly.

There was a fella on another forum who I tried to help.
He was loading 25.8 grains of TAC behind a Hordnady 75.
Apparently RAMSHOT has some sort of PDF loading manual online that sets that as the upper end, and purports to only produce 62,000 PSI. Flat wrong.
The same resource also recommends that same 25.8 powder charge for the Sierrra 80 SMK loaded to magazine length!
Insane.
I could not convince the guy otherwise.
He was determined that because the powder manufacturer put it on the internet, it has to be right.
According to Quickload, that load makes over 80,000 PSI.

Do you want his brass in your gun?

Source your brass from a reliable source.

mjsdwash · Oct 27, 2015

get a number 17 drill bit. you can find them individually at fastenal. If it fits easily in the pocket you have no crimp. the bit is the same size as the minimum diameter of the opening, so if it dosent go in, nether will a primer assuming that your swagging to remove a crimp. if your just looking for uniformity, a dedicated tool is probably for you.

Walkalong · Oct 27, 2015

Check it all internally first. Very important IMO.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=734058

Any that pass that test can be checked, after sizing, in a case gauge like a Sheridan that is cut to chamber specs to make sure it sized back to norm. If the brass has been subjected to obscene pressures the case head will likely not fit the gauge.

Make sure the primer pockets are still tight.

Yes, there is a certain risk with range brass.

Check this gauge out for primer pockets.

http://ballistictools.com/store/exclusive/swage-gage-small-primer-pocket

hpluseleven · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks all. Walkalong- I may have to check out that gauge.

In the meantime, I'll probably sort based on whether I'm sure there's still a crimp or not.

Crimped primers

hpluseleven

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W.E.G.

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mjsdwash

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Walkalong

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hpluseleven

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