.243 primer pockets

[popper]

Reloading .243 FC brass but cannot get primers to seat at all. Primers mike at .209, PP mikes at .208 Tried uniformer but it doesn't solve the problem Solutions, other than toss the brass? I think this is Monarch brand ammo. I use a Hornady hand primer, I don't really want to crush the thing with too much pressure.

 

[1stmarine]

did you cut a bit and deburr the edges?
sometimes this helps, it works like a guide to funnel the primer in.
Do not cut out too much though!

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Monarch brand primers? Sorry not familiar with these. Winchester LR primers measure .210 and CCI (200) Lg Rifle are .211. Most FC .243 brass I have reloaded is very soft and I must use the larger CCI primers to get more than 2 loads from this brass. I have noticed some of the 30-06 FC brass I've been given lately seems to be a bit harder than in the past. At one time I was tossing FC brass until I found that CCI primers were larger than most.

 

[popper]

WLR primers in FC brass. CCI are larger and won't fit. I can't seat with hand primer, but do have a Lee press primer die I could use. I'm not so worried about the primer going off when seating as I am of loading 60 which FTF. Will a really tight PP break the anvil? The edge of the pocket looks rolled correctly.

 

[243winxb]

What "uniformer" are you using on the pockets?

 

[popper]

I think it's wilson (L8), but not marked. It's a real uniformer, not a cleaner.

 

[243winxb]

Will a really tight PP break the anvil?

My guess, no. I have smashed primers into the pockets of 45acp when i had not removed enough of the primer crimp. They still fired. If you used your "uniformer" correctly, then apply as much pressure as you need to seat the primers. Pushing them in is not going to set them off.

 

[kingmt]

I found a few(I think it was 5) FC brass in 30-06 that were crimped. I have no idea why but if there is some out there maybe that's your problem.

 

[T Bran]

I recently bought some assorted boxes of Hornandy to shoot for brass while I waited on my .223 dies. One of the 4 boxes I dont know for sure which but I think it was superperformance had crimped primer pockets. Other than military brass ive never seen this before so now I check it all!
T

 

[popper]

Thanks all. I will push some primers in a few courier them to my grandson and see what happens. Second grandson is getting a 243 also, doesn't want to be left out.

 

[popper]

Problem solved. Leave the brass in the garage at 110 deg for a couple days, primers in A/C.
Was it the temp? Yes, I had trouble getting the brass into the shell holder, primers went in easily. Then you remember - holes in metal get bigger when hot.

 

[243winxb]

holes in metal get bigger when hot.

Yes, heat expands, cold contracts.