I have been reloading 38 sp with 3.2 Tite group, cci 500 primers, and 125 lead bullet. Shooting from my 6" gp 100 357. This last load of brass, that has been reloaded at least 4 times prior, takes very little effort to seat the primer. At what point is the primer pocket to loose?
Loose primer pocket?
- Thread starter MGRAY
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As long as it takes some pressure to seat, you are probably OK. It takes some practice, and is very subjective.
If you get gas leakage around a primer, it was too loose, or the pressure was way to high, or both of course.
If you go "oh my" when you seat it, it's probably too loose.
If you get gas leakage around a primer, it was too loose, or the pressure was way to high, or both of course.
If you go "oh my" when you seat it, it's probably too loose.
rfwobbly
Member
I agree with Dr. Along. You can definitely feel them when they're not right.
The test I use is to try to push them back out. I keep a Universal De-Capping Die mounted in another nearby press. I take the case and manually offer it to the decapping pin. That is, I do not place the case in a shell holder or use the op lever. In this way I can only generate a very small pressure. If the primer pops back out, then I toss the case and reuse the primer. Otherwise I load it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die
The test I use is to try to push them back out. I keep a Universal De-Capping Die mounted in another nearby press. I take the case and manually offer it to the decapping pin. That is, I do not place the case in a shell holder or use the op lever. In this way I can only generate a very small pressure. If the primer pops back out, then I toss the case and reuse the primer. Otherwise I load it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die
Waywatcher
Member
Thanks rfwobbly, I had the same question as the OP. (How loose is loose?)
Your answer is the first definitive one I have seen, and I felt you should be thanked for it.
Your answer is the first definitive one I have seen, and I felt you should be thanked for it.
rfwobbly
Member
Please realize the inherent danger in this procedure. The die is mounted vertically in a reloading press and cannot move. I'm holding the case by the sides, not the base. I gently push until the case starts to slip in my fingers.
gamestalker
member
I think I posted something about primer pocket resistence. But anyway, I have loaded lots of brass that required very little resistence to seat primers and have never had a leak. But I feel the higher pressures obtained with slow burning powders has somehting to do with the primer sealing better when discharged, than it would have with a light low pressure load using faster burning powders. My feeling is if the primer will seat completely and stay in place, it shouldn't leak gases.
BigN
Member
I recently got the chance to pick up a Howa 1500 in 300 WSM for a great deal. The gun is new. I also picked up 60 once-fired brass for it. When reloading, the primer pockets are very loose on the press. The primers don't fall out but there is no resistance when putting them in. Is this inherent in this caliber? I haven't shot/owned a caliber this large before so I wasn't sure. I've loaded some 110 gr Sierra HP to work up a load for coyotes. Would using primer sealer take care of this problem?
FROGO207
Member
^^^^ I use CCI primers with my 300WSM ammo and do not feel any difference when seating primers with them versus 30-06, 270, or 308 for example. How do they compare to other primers you reload?? Are you sure that they are only OF brass??
Blue68f100
Member
Some primer mfg are tighter than others. The rule I use:
1. If they don't fall out there good to load.
2. If they fall out when you seat the bullet their ready for the recycle bin, too. Pull the bullet and reuse.
3. If I get gas leakage they go to the recycle bin.
1. If they don't fall out there good to load.
2. If they fall out when you seat the bullet their ready for the recycle bin, too. Pull the bullet and reuse.
3. If I get gas leakage they go to the recycle bin.
LiveLife
Member
If you want to get some more firings out of loose primer pockets cases, you can use slightly larger diameter Wolf/Tula LP primers.
snuffy
Member
Were they Winchester cases?
Win. shells for the 300 WSM are known to be running at VERY high pressures. High enough to loosen primer pockets. I experienced that when I got the then new 300 WSM in a Browning stalker. The ONLY source for brass to reload was winchester. I fired the factory 180 PSP loads, then went to reload them. Obvious signs of high pressure, flattened primers, headstamp was difficult to read, and the new WLR primers slipped in with very little effort.
My method of checking for primer looseness, is to tap the head of the case on the loading bench. If the momentum of the primer causes it to unseat even a little, that case is decapped and junked,(tossed in the recycle bag). Doesn't matter whether it's handgun or rifle.
Win. shells for the 300 WSM are known to be running at VERY high pressures. High enough to loosen primer pockets. I experienced that when I got the then new 300 WSM in a Browning stalker. The ONLY source for brass to reload was winchester. I fired the factory 180 PSP loads, then went to reload them. Obvious signs of high pressure, flattened primers, headstamp was difficult to read, and the new WLR primers slipped in with very little effort.
My method of checking for primer looseness, is to tap the head of the case on the loading bench. If the momentum of the primer causes it to unseat even a little, that case is decapped and junked,(tossed in the recycle bag). Doesn't matter whether it's handgun or rifle.
BigN
Member
The cases are Winchester. I picked up a few Win cases in nickel also, and those pockets are not loose, take normal pressure to seat the primer. I can't get the loose ones to fall out though, so maybe they're tight enough.
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