Just finished priming some FC .308 and FC and PMC 7mm Mag. This was all once fired brass and I using WLR primers in the .308's and WLRM in the 7mm Magnum brass. Out of 50 pieces of .308 I found 5 that appeared to have loose pockets. Out of 50 pieces of 7mm magnum I found 1 PMC and 5 FC that had what appeared to be very loose pockets. I'm just not sure how to tell if they are too loose to use. Is there a way to check the primer to see if it is too loose? They aren't so loose that they fall out if you tap the cartridge on the table but they just felt like they went in awful easy compared to the others. Is this a common problem with once fired FC brass? Thanks for your help!
How Loose Is Too Loose?
- Thread starter PCCUSNRET
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LiveLife
Member
I hand prime my cases and it is very easy to tell loose primer pockets based on how they "feel" in the hand priming tool.
Usually, primer pockets have definite resistance (mild to firm resistance) when I am seating a primer. Tight primer pocket cases like Sellier & Bellot are hard to miss as they require "extra" effort on my part to seat the primers.
Loose primer pockets require very light or almost no effort to seat them. For pistol cases, I mark these case bottoms with "X" to be scrapped after firing them (I guess you can deprime these cases and toss them too).
And yes, if the primer moves freely in the primer pocket or if you can tap them loose, you absolutely have loose primer pockets - I would not fire these cases.
Usually, primer pockets have definite resistance (mild to firm resistance) when I am seating a primer. Tight primer pocket cases like Sellier & Bellot are hard to miss as they require "extra" effort on my part to seat the primers.
Loose primer pockets require very light or almost no effort to seat them. For pistol cases, I mark these case bottoms with "X" to be scrapped after firing them (I guess you can deprime these cases and toss them too).
And yes, if the primer moves freely in the primer pocket or if you can tap them loose, you absolutely have loose primer pockets - I would not fire these cases.
loadedround
Member
I shoot large quatities of 223, 308 and 45 ACP ammo and usually segregate each caliber into lots of 50 depending on brand. Upon reloading, if several or more show loose primer primer cups, I scrap the whole lot after shooting them. That's my Q/C system that works for me and I do have large quantities of once fired brass.
243winxb
Member
To loose if you can push the primer in by hand or gas leaks around the edge on firing or primer falls out of a loaded round. Hot loads will expand the web and primer pocket, common on first or 2nd loading when over maximum pressure.
Hard to describe what a "loose" PP feels like.
If it surprises you how easy it seated, it's a candidate. Probably needs to be scrapped very soon. Low pressure pistol? Shoot it again. High pressure pistol, or especially rifle? Scrap it.
If it won't hold a primer, or you can take a decapping pin and push it out from inside the case easily, the case is no good, and has most likely been subjected to over pressure, whether grossly once, or just a little repeatedly.
If you routinely loosen up primer pockets in 3 or 4 firings, it may be time to look at how hot your load is.
I have seen several posts here complaining about Federal brass being softer and primer pockets loosening up sooner than other brands.
If it surprises you how easy it seated, it's a candidate. Probably needs to be scrapped very soon. Low pressure pistol? Shoot it again. High pressure pistol, or especially rifle? Scrap it.
If it won't hold a primer, or you can take a decapping pin and push it out from inside the case easily, the case is no good, and has most likely been subjected to over pressure, whether grossly once, or just a little repeatedly.
If you routinely loosen up primer pockets in 3 or 4 firings, it may be time to look at how hot your load is.
I have seen several posts here complaining about Federal brass being softer and primer pockets loosening up sooner than other brands.
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