federal primer pockets

[tomr8368]

I'm new at reloading, but have done quite a few .45acp with new brass. I now have a few hundred used brass and a new tumbler. In removing the old primers, I noticed that the primer pocket holes on all brands except Federal are the same inside and out. All of the Federal brass has the usual hole size looking into the case, but from the bottom of the case the hole is about twice normal.

Can you tell me why this is and whether it is safe to use these shells? I have set them aside for now because I'm not sure the pocket will properly hold the new primer.

Thanks for any help in this...
Tom

 

[Mal H]

You need to clear up a little confusion here, Tom. You say the primer pocket is twice the normal size. Obviously a primer will just fall out of a pocket that size, so I think you are talking about the flash hole. There's a good chance you are looking at Federal's "Ballisticlean" shells. Shells designed for "clean" primers have flash holes that are noticeably larger than normal primers. This has been discussed before and the concensus is that it is ok to use them with normal primers. As always, it is a good practice to back off your load when working with any new component. I would put the large flash hole shells in the "new" component category. You might also consider keeping those shells separated from your "normal" shells and not intermixing them in a magazine for accuracy and grouping purposes.

If the shells are not Ballisticlean shells, then they probably have a tapered flash hole and, again, you should have no problem using a normal primer with them.

If you have any doubts, email or call Federal to get their opinion. I'm sure they can clear it up for you as to whether the shells can be used or not.

 

[tomr8368]

Mal:
Thanks, yes, I really mean 'flash hole'. The shells all say "Federal" and "45 auto" on the base. I wasn't aware of Ballisticlean or tapered flash holes. I greatly appreciate the clarification and will load a few of them later and see how they perform. I'll probably also check with Federal too.
Tom

 

[tomr8368]

Mal:
Here's the reply from Federal on the question. Thanks again for the help.
Tom



From: "Ives, Ron" <[email protected]> [ Save address ]
To: 'Thomas Reynolds' <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Ammo Inquiry from Federal Web Site
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 16:24:17 -0600

The Flashole is punched rather than drilled thats all.

Its most important to have the flashole in the middle of the Pocket.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Reynolds [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 7:46 PM
To: Federal Product Service
Subject: Ammo Inquiry from Federal Web Site


I'm new to reloading and have a quantity of once fired Federal 45 auto brass
cases. I've noticed that the flash hole when looking at the base of the case
is much larger than the flash hole when looking inside the bottom of the
case.
Is this a tapered flash hole? Is it safe to reload using a standard primer
like the 300 CCI large pistol primer?
Thank you for any clarification you can provide.
Tom R.
Plano, Texas

 

[Mal H]

Well, he didn't exactly answer your question, but you should be good to go with those cases.

Most flash holes are punched for that matter. That's why some folks inspect the inside for flashing burrs or the like which can affect uniform ignition.

 

[tomr8368]

Mal:
again, I sure appreciate the information on this.
In the woods of northern VA? I spent some time on the AT in SW VA around Mt. Rogers and south a few years ago. Still think of it. Nothing like it here in Texas, except maybe Big Bend.
Tom

 

[Mal H]

This is in the "small world" category: I climbed Mt. Rogers last year and I've spent many a day in Plano (my brother worked for TI at the time and lived there).

 

[Flash Hole]

Tom;

I worked at Federal for a few years so I can tell you Mal H is right on the money.
Federal uses a chisel punch that is apx. .082
The flash hole is punched from the primer pocket thru the web
to the interor of the case, if you look inside the case you see the
blown out side of the hole.This is normal, and like Mal said this is
why we inspect and deburr.
Now if your flash holes are larger than say .110 or .130
you have there Ballisticlean cases. Keep these separate
and work up new loads. I use the Ballisticlean and the Winclean
cases for plastic and rubber pratice bullets.
I hope this helps

JOHN

 

[tomr8368]

John, that ties up the loose ends. I'll watch the size of the flash holes. Thanks for the heads up on it.
Tom