Primer crimping / staking

[gamestalker]

I don't know if anyone here has ever considered staking their primers, but I thought I would share one of my little tips that helps me to get one more reload from handgun brass, that would other wise get added to the recycle bin.

I used a priming ram and an RCBS priming die to fashion a way to stake primers in .357 / 38 spcl. brass that seemed to have loose pockets identified during priming. I used the large primer tip and cut it so it would produce a 4 sided stake. I fashioned the priming tip to push the edges of the pocket inward, this helps seal the pocket around the primer cup. And since the priming die can be adjusted to produce consistent pressure, I get very consistent staking impressions. I only do it once though, as I fear the case head may get significantly weakened by the initial crimp procedure.

I don't know how successful, or unsuccessful this method is, as I've never had one leak, and I don't know if it would have leaked without having been staked. I just use this method as an insurance when I'm loading brass that has loose primer pockets due to wear and tear.

GS

 

[45lcshooter]

Kind of sounds like your doing the same then Federal did with their 223 556. I haven't touched it yet. But be instrested to know how you do yours

 

[gamestalker]

It's actually very simple. I use a drill press to drill the center out of a large priming tip and then using a file I cut four notches out of the berm now surrounding the center of the priming tip. A little bit of cleaning up of the surface, that's it. But because I use a priming die, that I am able to apply a controlled stake depth, and the amount of press leverage necessary to effect a good stake into the case head. Not much to it really.

For large pistol primers I used a lathe to fashion another priming ram.
It's really very simple and seems effective from a stand point, that I haven't ever had a problem. But like I said in my original post, I have no way of knowing if the primer pockets would have leaked without having been crimped, or staked.
GS

 

[rcmodel]

This seems like an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem to me.

If your cases are so worn out a primer has to be staked in to stay in??

Your cases are worn out!

Throw them away!

I got enough problems with sorting new GI brass with staked primers without making more sorting problems later by compounding the staking / reaming / swaging problems by swaging them again.

rc

 

[gamestalker]

Non existent problem indeed. As I said, I would never know if I solved anything, as I've never had a problem with leaking primers to know either way.

And no RC, they are not falling out.

I'm just a bit OCD when it comes to this particular hobby, in other words, brass I would likely consider to be worn out, would very likely be brass most reloaders would load, without giving it a second thought. So my purpose in staking primers for me, is just insurance for a primer that very likely would never have leaked in the first place. It's actually not my exclusive little idea, I saw a friend do it many years ago.

But I thought I would post this just in case someone needs to use a crimp / stake on a primer pocket.

GS

 

[JimKirk]

If you could figger out how to make a small knurl wheel to run around the insides of the primer pocket....

I know none of this makes any sense at this point and time .... but if the supply were to ever dry up like our gov. would like .... you may could extend the life of a case...

It would be kind up there... like reloading rimfire ammo ....

 

[gamestalker]

You know what I was thinking JimKirk, is a colet that would squeeze the case head in at increments of .0001" or so. It's actually the entire case head expanding that's causing loose pockets.

GS