Loose primer pocket interesting problem.

[Paddy]

So I primed a large batch of 223 the other day and as usual a few had a little looseness to the pockets. I tossed one in to the bin and the primer fell out. Now, I noticed it was a bit loose, and I heard a strange sound when it hit the pile so I tried to find it and sure enough the primer fell out. What's interesting however is that the primer fell into the mouth of another case.

So that got me thinking, what would happen if a fresh primer went unnoticed in the case and made it all the way through the loading? Seems like this could be a recipe for disaster.

 

[Load Master]

I have no experience with something like this (that I know of), but I would think it would function as a normal round. I doubt you would be able to even notice it. If you were shooting paper targets you might see an added small hole in the paper.

Are your primers the right size? I guess I'm not sure why the pocket would end up oversize if you didn't do any sizing of them. I have loaded multiple thousands of .223Rem and haven't experienced this. I use the RCBS swagger for crimpped primer pockets. What method are you using?

 

[Blue68f100]

With the extra volume being taken up by the primer you should notice the charge as being Over/High into the case mouth. Then you would have dumped it out and noticed the primer. And while your putting the completed rounds into the boxes you notice a powder spill, too.

Firing a round with a primer in with the powder should create more velocity and maybe an over charge.

 

[Txhillbilly]

If you notice your primer pockets in your brass getting loose,just toss the brass in the trash. If it's loose going in,it will get pushed out when fired,and the hot gases will cut into the bolt face and tip of the firing pin.

I keep a dental pick on my bench,if I feel a primer that is easy to seat in a case,I insert the dental pick inside the case. If I can push the primer back out,the case gets thrown away. Brass is a lot cheaper than replacing the bolt and firing pin on any firearm.

 

[Paddy]

Yeah i do that as well but muscle memory had me tossing them like autopilot so it was airborn before I had registered that it was a potential problem.

 

[rcmodel]

Couldn't happen to me.

1. I would notice no resistance when seating it with my RCBS hand priming tool.

After priming.
2. I inspect all cases & primers one last time.

After that.
3. I set all cases mouth Down in loading blocks, and turn them mouth Up after each one is powder charged.

Been doing it that way for 50+ years without a problem once.

rc

 

[Cheesemaker]

I'm with rc - I do it the same as he does and have since the early 80's. Have a good routine - and stick to it.

Good reloading is about consistency - a routine gives you that.

 

[rcmodel]

I might also add that I don't 'toss' my carefully prepped & primed brass anywhere, any time.

I just spent a lot of time getting it to that point.

So why risk dinging a case mouth now???

rc

 

[Paddy]

Hmm. Yeah I tried the mtm box thing for a while but I'm not keen on taking them in and out of the boxes anymore. I like piles. Tossing them hasn't seemed to cause any damage so far? But I see your point.

 

[rcmodel]

Not talking about boxes.

I'm talking about loading blocks on your loading bench.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2124125282/frankford-arsenal-perfect-fit-reloading-tray

Imperative to keep your emptys mouth down and see the primers, and mouth up after charging, be able to inspect every powder charge in every case before seating bullets.

rc

 

[Paddy]

Never owned a loading block. Maybe I should try one. I've use plastic trays from factory ammo quite a bit, but gave that up for bulk 223