Primer Install problems in 223

You using surplus brass?

what brand primers are you using? Im gonna guess CCI or foreign brand.

Make sure if they have crimped primer pockets to remove the crimp or you will experience what you posted. Once the crimps are cut out or swaged (see pic below done with Lee chamfer tool), they will prime normally.



If you have a lot of crimped cases, this mod works great for high volume swaging

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What brass are you using could be crimped primer pockets

If you are using military once fired, there may just be an "obstruction" in the primer pocket; a crimp intended to keep the primer seated under military/combat conditions...

Refer to bds' post for more/better info...

A cordless drill and a 13/64" bit work perfect for removing crimped primers.

Dillon Super Swage, RCBS reamer in case prep station and primers seat to proper depth and all problems disappear. I've done about 6-7000 of mil spec brass on mine and each and every primer went in with no problems. I even have a neighbor that brings his brass down here to prep because it's faster for him. I let him use my case trimmer set up and it blew his mind.
I have one of the trimmers that chucks in a drill, but coupled to a 1/3 hp, 1750 rpm motor, and that baby will trim brass faster than cat can lick his a$&

I made a nice little punch in my lathe that takes the military crimp out with one light whack of a 8lb sledge. I have a brass rod inside and my punch outside a little tap and the crimp is gone and a nice little radius is formed.

Do yourself a favor being this is your first time loading, purchase some new brass. Once you become comfortable with that, and no problems then use once fire brass or whatever you want. You can also keep a few once fired brass to compare if any problems in the future to make sure you have removed all of the crimp etc.

OK, seems like we need more info here. You have some Wolf brass, but what do the headstamps on the offending cases say? Some brass (S&B comes to mind) has tighter primer pockets and some have very little chamfer/break at the mouth of the pocket. Some primers are a bit harder to seat (harder cup, slightly larger diameter, plated/not plated.). So, specifically, what's the other headstamps and what primers? And what is the Lyman tool you're using?

Just to be sure, the "Wolf" cases are not steel?

Some brass looking cases could be brass washed. If a magnet sticks to the case, it's steel case not brass.

Just to be sure, the "Wolf" cases are not steel?

Some brass looking cases could be brass washed. If a magnet sticks to the case, it's steel case not brass.

Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^ watch out for this. Wolf has some brass washed steel cases that look like brass. As stated above^^^^^^ check the cases with a magnet. I found some in some range brass a few months ago and culled them out.

Do not use a homebrew solution like a drill bit, or some other thing, if you are new at this. Even then, buy the right tool. My buddy was using a countersink for awhile and I about slapped him.

Buy the correct tool. A proper crimp cutting tool from RCBS or Hornady is a cheap and easy way to remove primer crimps.

Lifelong machinist/mechanic here. First time I encountered crimped primer pockets my first thought was a countersink. 20+ years later and unknown numbers of 45 ACP, 9mm, 5.56, 30-06 and 7.62x51 military crimped pocket cases, it still works quite well for me. Not one problem, blown out primer, ever...

Ha! No such thing as a"proper" crimp remover! Crimps were never intended to be removed. Every tool is a compromise. BTW, the cheapest and one that works is #2 Phillips bit in my cordless drill. If it wears out after a few hundred cases, it goes into the trash and I get another 10 cents tool out of my tool pouch.

The RCBS primer pocket reamer works very well. The thing I like is that it won't allow you to remove too much material.
I just screw it onto one of the stations on my FA Platinum Case Prep Center and 1-2 seconds is all it takes.

I use one of these: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/501588/hornady-primer-pocket-reamer-tool-small

Remove the cutter from the holder; chuck it into an electric drill and go town. I knocked out a little over a thousand cases in about 1 1/2 hours actual work time the first time I used it. I[m sure some people could have done it faster but my old arthritic hands set limits.

And speaking of processing cases, I trimmed the the other end with one of these: http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html Same drill; about the same processing time.

I've tried all manner of trimmers, swagers and cutters but for volume work these two are hard to beat.

I have experienced the same problem with cases which have been crimped, even after swedging. I believe that Winchester primers are a little smaller (or perhaps softer?) than others (such as Federal or Remington) and go in easier. After the first time, the pockets loosen up a little and any primers will work.