CCI #400 Small Rifle Primers difficult to seat?

[unclesam099]

I just sat down to load up some .223 and I've got ~600 CCI SR primers that were recently obtained. I grabbed a prepped case (R-P .223 REM headstamp) and it is VERY difficult to seat compared to my Winchester SR primers that I have only used so far... Is this normal?

This is on a Lee single stage press, priming on the up-stroke. I've not found it difficult to use, like I said, with the Winchester SR primers.

I've done 10 and I'm fearing that they aren't seated deep enough for use in my AR... I'm thinking maybe that I should trade these for Winchesters or something. Or is this normal? I'm almost afraid of trying a military case, even with the crimp properly swaged/removed.

 

[kelbro]

The CCIs do fit a little tighter than some of the others. I use them to get one more load out of brass with pockets that are starting to loosen up.

 

[Shoney]

CCI primers have a slightly thicker metal in their cups, and are therefore harder to seat. The thicker cups reduce chances of slamfires.

 

[Slamfire]

CCI primers have a slightly thicker metal in their cups, and are therefore harder to seat. The thicker cups reduce chances of slamfires.

And are less likely to pierce.

Eat up a hand full of AR firing pins (at $7.50 each) and you will like thick cups.

 

[rcmodel]

Check for a primer crimp.

The R-P cases may need the crimp removed.

rc

 

[Otto]

I've done 10 and I'm fearing that they aren't seated deep enough for use in my AR... I'm thinking maybe that I should trade these for Winchesters or something. Or is this normal?

High primers are not normal and should be corrected. If you have already charged the case and seated the bullet you'll need to start over because re-seating primers in live ammo is extremely dangerous.

CCI makes 4 different types of small rifle primers with 400's having the thinnest cup of the four. The #41 is made for semi/auto rifles and has a thicker cup with a different anvil. This helps prevent slam fires.
CCI 450 has a thicker cup as well but it's a magnum.
CCI BR4 works well but are somewhat expensive.

 

[unclesam099]

I have already primed/charged/seated the bullet in them. They're not high like above the case head, but they aren't sitting as deep as usual. I had to use so much force to get them in and I stopped because I was afraid to pop one on the press.

I only loaded those 10 and will probably load them 1 at a time for safety's sake. I was working up a load with Reloder 15 and a 55gr projectile. Not the ideal powder, but was all that I could find.

 

[FROGO207]

The CCI primers do seat harder but I think they work well with the Lee Hand Primer. The tool and bushing set will cost $24 or so but personally find this to be more accurate when seating primers. There are some brands of primers they say not to use, and I will load the tray with 50 primers max. Never had a problem and I find it lots faster than using my priming arm on my RCBS press.

 

[rcmodel]

A hand priming tool is the way to go.

Either RCBS or Lee.

A press primer arm is not getting good controllable leverage at the place it needs it the most.

Seating depth issues and crushed primers are always a possibility when using a press primer arm.

I stopped using them completely about 35 years ago due to the problems mentioned.

rc

 

[JuryRig]

I forced some CCI primers into 223 cases without removing enough of the crimp. I was worried about them being too high, so I smashed them in there, flattening them. About one in five slammed fired. I read later that crushing primers when seating can be just as bad as leaving them to high.

Make sure the muzzle is pointed in safe direction when closing the bolt.

 

[rcmodel]

I read later that crushing primers when seating can be just as bad as leaving them to high.

I think it's worse.

The only slam fires I have ever experianced in 40 years of AR-15's & Mini-14's were caused by primers crushed using a press primer seating arm.

I've never had another one since switching to an RCBS hand primer tool about 35 years ago.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, harder to set off a primer that has to be finished being seated.