45acp Primer Pocket Reaming & Uniforming
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jmorris
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I am not a big fan of swaging as an extra step either, it’s almost as bad as uniforming primer pockets by hand…
Before I setup a 1050 for 45 ACP, I used to cull S&B brass because the tight pockets felt different seating primers and it messed up my rhythm. I loaded them as a group, they all felt the same and I was happy.
With the 1050 and it’s built in swager at #3 they all feel the same, without any additional work.
I then doubled down and made my own swage rod that would also detect SPP and cull them as I loaded.
Small primer pocket culler.
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CQB45ACP
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CQB45ACP
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Just zeroed them I was only off by .200”
ballman6711
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I'm going to call senior moment!
chris
chris
JHTexas
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I just measured about 20 of my Winchester 45acp cases and all of the pockets measured from the minimum .2085 to .209 and the Go side of the Gauge did not want to enter about half of them. Since they all prime okay and meet SAAMI specifications I call it a win because I want tight primer pockets.
CQB45ACP
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It actually looks like closer to .2085”
CQB45ACP
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Great to know. Really great to know. Thanks for taking the time to check.
Now I have to decide if I’m Goldilocks
JHTexas
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In the past I’ve had people bring me parts from inspection saying they don’t pass, only to find the inspection tooling damaged.
That’s why I wanted you to inspect the gauge for a ding or burr, it happens.
If you measure the NoGo side of your gauge you probably find it at .211” which is larger than SAAMI maximum specs of .210”. This means the pocket has to be larger then specification before the pin will go in by at least .001.
That’s why I wanted you to inspect the gauge for a ding or burr, it happens.
If you measure the NoGo side of your gauge you probably find it at .211” which is larger than SAAMI maximum specs of .210”. This means the pocket has to be larger then specification before the pin will go in by at least .001.
JHTexas
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Yes, do what you feel is best for your rounds.
I’ve had to scrap too many for loose primer pockets, so for me if they are tight and prime okay, I’m happy.
CQB45ACP
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Would you believe my original plan for this thread was something like “Do your primers seat even when your pocket primer gauge doesn’t fit?” SeriouslyIn the past I’ve had people bring me parts from inspection saying they don’t pass, only to find the inspection tooling damaged.
That’s why I wanted you to inspect the gauge for a ding or burr, it happens.
If you measure the NoGo side of your gauge you probably find it at .211” which is larger than SAAMI maximum specs of .210”. This means the pocket has to be larger then specification before the pin will go in by at least .001.
I’m likely still going to buy a new tapered reamer of gauge size or a little under. If the one I already have was still sharp this thread wouldn’t have happened.
Now I just have to figure out why my case length measurements were accurate yet calipers weren’t zeroed.
JHTexas
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Maybe the calipers were zeroed .2” off after you took those measurements.
CQB45ACP
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I just know I didn’t do it intentionally maybe did something when I changed battery.
jmorris
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I don’t really like using calipers to measure holes, at least if I am trying to measure them with precision.
You don’t have to zero a gauge pin and it has no batteries to die and if it goes in, anything else round and that diameter will too.
You also don’t need a full set if you are only wanting a narrow range. Just buy the sizes you want, individually.
They don’t lie or require much technique to properly utilize.
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JHTexas
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If you do modify the primer pockets, please remember that the gauge you have is .0005” off on the small side and .001” on the large side.
Go .209” NoGo .211”
SAAMI .2085”~.210”
My point is that the gauge won’t help you in verifing that you’re not reaming the pockets too large per SAAMI specification.
Go .209” NoGo .211”
SAAMI .2085”~.210”
My point is that the gauge won’t help you in verifing that you’re not reaming the pockets too large per SAAMI specification.
JHTexas
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I also find gauge pins to be very useful in reloading and in measuring chambers, bores, etc…
I have so many now It probably would have been cheaper to buy a full set!
The small hole gauge set from Starrett have also been very useful. They really help when inspecting for roundness.
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/86425378?cid=ppc-google-New+-+MCO+-+Measuring+&+Inspecting+-+DSA&mkwid=sEDSA1243|dc&pcrid=396656139327&rd=k&product_id=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9MT05KWCggMV7xqtBh1g-wqcEAAYASAAEgI6BvD_BwE
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CQB45ACP
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Got it and the reamer’s taper is a safeguard of sorts
You need a micrometer for that measurement
CQB45ACP
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Well it doesn’t surprise me one bit you did this. I’m in a very low production, once and done situation.I am not a big fan of swaging as an extra step either, it’s almost as bad as uniforming primer pockets by hand…
Before I setup a 1050 for 45 ACP, I used to cull S&B brass because the tight pockets felt different seating primers and it messed up my rhythm. I loaded them as a group, they all felt the same and I was happy.
With the 1050 and it’s built in swager at #3 they all feel the same, without any additional work.
View attachment 1176397
I then doubled down and made my own swage rod that would also detect SPP and cull them as I loaded.
Small primer pocket culler.
I selected an arbitrary number (300ish) of Winchester cases to see how long they’d last. I take each case and hand prep them including gauging primer pockets. Each step is again, one and done.
Correcting the pockets that don’t gauge was no big deal until I got hairbrained idea of starting a forum thread to talk about it.
Shivahasagun
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Dang.
All I know is I use the pocket tool that came with my Lee Turret Press Kit.
I don't even know if it's properly called a reamer or swagger or what, but I use it on S&B .45 acp primer pockets so my press can get a primer in there. Only have to do it once of course.
I wear gloves but can still only do so many at a time. The days of that are coming to an end though because i only have about 100 rds of S&B new ammo left.
All I know is I use the pocket tool that came with my Lee Turret Press Kit.
I don't even know if it's properly called a reamer or swagger or what, but I use it on S&B .45 acp primer pockets so my press can get a primer in there. Only have to do it once of course.
I wear gloves but can still only do so many at a time. The days of that are coming to an end though because i only have about 100 rds of S&B new ammo left.
ballman6711
Member
This is what made me laugh, I liked the rest of your post.
So this 0.201" pin gauge is actually 0.2008" which makes perfect sense. I didn't realize that until now.
@CQB45ACP Do it the way it makes you happy. My way works for me, and your way works for you, and they may be similar or very different. I once took the time to weight sort over 700 bullets for the 45acp because I wanted to make perfect match ammo.
And I can tell you that Hornady 230gr FMJ's don't really make match ammo, but I enjoyed it (a bit) and I learned something.
chris
JHTexas
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What diameter are you going to ream them to?
CQB45ACP
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