Old Mil-surp .308... Primers Won't Fit

[carnaby]

I've got a big batch of Vietnam era .308 mil surp. The primer pockets are too small for my large rifle primers, they will start, but won't go all the way in. Is there any way to salvage this brass, or do I have to toss it?

 

[jr81452]

get a primer pocket uniformer. they have them on miday from a few companies.

i suggest the ejs brand for 19.99 item #445053

 

[Jim Gwyn]

silly question but I have to ask

Seeing as these are military surplus cases, have they been decrimped?
(As it happens, I'm right in the middle of processing a 50 cal box of 7.62 brass myself.)

 

[ReloaderFred]

You'll have to remove the primer crimps before seating a new primer. The primers are crimped in military brass to keep primers from backing out and jamming a firearm in the middle of a firefight. You'll only have to do this once on each case.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[donttellthewife]

If you have a large batch of cases 1000 or more you may want to look at getting a swager, either a RCBS or a dillon. I own both and prefer the dillon the RCBS works fine just not as fast. I like the swagers because your not removing material your just pushing back were it belongs. Chances are the cases were fired though a MG so you may want to run a paper clip with a 90 degree bend on it to feel the inside of the case wall down near the base and check for a ridge that would indicate a pending case seperation.
Good luck and happy shooting

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Yup, primer crimp. Remove the crimp and your primers will fit perfect.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

If you have a single stage press, CH4D makes an excellent primer swager that swages both large and small primer pockets and it only costs 20 bucks. I bought one recently and have been really happy with it. Quite fast too.

WWw.CH4D.com

Their website isn't fancy. Click on priming tools, then primer pocket swager & priming tool.

Regards,

Dave