Federal Large Pistol Primer issues reloading

[TheDomFather]

Today I loaded up some .45 ACP with Hornady 185 grain XTP and 6.0 grains of bullseye. This is my second set of loads using this formula. The new thing today was instead of brass that uses small pistol primers I used brass with Large Pistol primer pockets and Federal large pistol primers. First thing I noticed (histortically I use CCI small pistol primers) is that they dont fit as well into the primer tube (yes I am using the large primer tube) its a tight fit, I also noticed there was one that flipped over in my primer tube (hornady lock and load AP).

Has anyone noticed having more difficulty with large pistol primers than small or that Federal Large pistols in particular they have had difficulty with?
Thanks,
D

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Ironically, the same thing happened to me this afternoon. Primed 300 rounds of .44 Rem. mag. First 100 with Winchester primers...=no problem. The following 200 primed with Federal large magnum pistol. My problem was similar in the fact that pushing the primers into the tube became a PITA. First 2 or 3 would go in but the fourth would fall out. Well, my first thought was I have finally wore out another primer tube.(Is this even possible?) After thinking about it, and with several attempts to squeeze and manipulate the end of the tube to hold the primers in the tube the last 50 went just fine. I am the second generation using this loading equipment,(RCII) so who knows.....stuff does wear out! *I did mike the primers just out of curiosity, all are .2100 of an inch in their respective lots and makes. But like your post said the Federal "tubed" a little more harder. Hope someone else can explain this other than it being the moon phase. As a P.S., I prefer CCI. THR is a great wealth of knowledge, it seems to me that I read something like this B4.
B.L.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Don't know if its similar to your experience but I have had issues with Tulammo large pistol primers tipping and getting wedged in the pickup tube for my LNL. Hornady sent me a new tube, no charge, but it still happened occasionally. It was always the second or third to last primer picked up. Always had to tap out with a rod, never had one go bang. Shoving the primers together against the pin with the indicator rod before tipping it over prevents the problem.

 

[Blue68f100]

When I first got my LNL-AP I had problems with the LP sticking in the tube. I examined the tube and discovered there was a seam, that was not smooth. I contacted Hornady and they replaced the tube. I run a cleaning swab down mine every so often to clean them. I can't remember the last time I had primer flip, it's been that long. All of the pickup ends on my primer pickup tubes, I have run # drill bits in to open up slightly. It does not take 5 lbs of force to hold the primers back. I just worked the drill bits by hand, check. If more needed go to the next size and repeat. I run the weighted rod on the primers stack, it's has markers as to how many primers are left in the stack. In most cases I don't need it, but occasionally it keeps them from sticking. Normally when I'm down to <10 I add the next 100 on.

Now if your alignment is off just a hair on the feed, it will cause primers to stick. Make sure your full stroking the ram, short stroking can cause issues.

 

[mdi]

Personally, I'd say it was your equipment, not the primers...

 

[Reloadron]

Large Pistol Primers just like all primers are made to a specification.

Measure the primer diameter and the pocket diameter. Doing this, even with a basic caliper, should provide an idea as to the fit of primer to pocket. If you have a primer on the high side 0.2130" and a pocket on the low side 0.2085" there will be a issue seating the primers. So if Federal LP are running the high side and your brass the low side they likely won't fit. The only question is if both are within suggested limits?

Ron

 

[TheDomFather]

It seems to be more the primer tube in the hornady lock and load ap than it is the actual brass itself. It seats fine in the brass the problem is the fit in the tube is much tighter than CCI sm pistol primers in the sm primer tube. Could be that the tube itself is not the right size.

 

[Reloadron]

It seems to be more the primer tube in the hornady lock and load ap than it is the actual brass itself. It seats fine in the brass the problem is the fit in the tube is much tighter than CCI sm pistol primers in the sm primer tube. Could be that the tube itself is not the right size.

Well, we know the ID of the tube should be slightly greater than the maximum primer width for a large or small primer. Hornady does make a large and small primer tube kit. Hornady Lock N Load Primer Tube Kit Small (3 pk) and the Hornady Lock N Load Primer Tube Kit Large (3 pk). The large and small primer tubes should slightly exceed the maximum allowable primer diameters. I doubt a large primer would even fit in the small primer tube.

Ron

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Since the issues I've experienced have been with just one brand of primer, I think it is safe to say it is the primers.

 

[mdi]

Well, when in doubt, measure! Anyone that reloads need micrometers and needs to know how to use them. "About", "close to" "slip fit", etc. are not measurements just wild a$$ guesses. Measure the Federal primers with a micrometer. Then measure the CCI primers. Are the Federal primers more than a few thousandths larger? The tube may be on the small side of the tolerance, thus not allowing the slightly larger, but still in tolerance, Federal primers...

 

[HOWARD J]

Has anyone polished or cleaned the inside of the primer tube? Just asking?

 

[Reeferman]

I use both Federal and Winchester small and large primers and have not had this issue.

 

[loose noose]

I've got the much older RCBS progressive press, with the tube fed primers, I few months ago I had a similar problem with the primers sticking. I simply took the longer pipe cleaners and pulled them thru the tubes and presto the problem took care of itself. My son bought me some large pistol primers by Winchester for Christmas, and I've had a problem with those primers for some reason, however ironic, my Federal large pistol primers work just fine. I'll use those WW primers for single stage use whenever the time permits, incidentally I did have one of the primers fail to ignite the powder out of the last batch of .44SPL cartridges I loaded. The primer was definitely indented sufficiently, however after pulling the bullet and noting a sufficient amount of powder, and kicking out the primer I noted it had no priming solution in the cup.