Primer pocket crimp? Noob questions

[Dr.Zubrato]

so I have 100+ military 5.56 cases after depriming, resizing, trimming, and chamfering and I'm noting a crimp around the primer pocket. I'm just getting into reloading so I don't want to sink too much cash into reloading while I'm in my reloading infancy.
I did some reading, and the lee chamfer tool I have can be used to remove the crimp, but I'm scared i might remove too much, and the primer pockets will be loose..
I dont have primers yet (cant find any) but what I did is use the chamfering tool a bit to remove some material about 1-2 turns, and reprimed with the old primers and it worked! I'm just concerned that I can't see any discernable difference between the now de-crimped brass and the crimped..
can you guys offer any advice or any solutions that dont involve spending over 20-30 bucks?

also a quick question: can I retumble the resized brass to remove the lee sizing lubricant, or does it matter at all?

i have ~120 cases, how many batches should I make per grain load for the range?

thanks! i look forward to learning from you guys!

 

[rcmodel]

Well, generally you just look at them and can see the crimp.

There will either be a depressed ring around the primer, or a few stab crimps.

If you want to ream them, just do it by breaking the sharp edge so a new primer can start into the primer pocket smoothly.

I did it with a sharp pocket knife blade when I first started reloading.

Ring Crimp:


Stab Crimp:




rc

 

[243winxb]

Just remove enough crimp to seat a new primer, as you have already done. Tumble to get the lube off. Use a starting load using 5 rounds. Increase the powder charger by 1/2 gr for the next five, and so on. Dont load a maximum charger till you work up close to max. To much crimp removed on the right case.

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

thank you rcmodel & 243winxb for the pictures and diagrams!

i noticed some stab crimps as well, and was wondering what the heck that was all about! Do the stab crimps remove as easily as the others?

thanks for the fast replies! you guys rock

 

[Doogledog]

I'm not sure if seating old primers will really tell you if you removed enough material but, I do know if you haven't new primers won't go in without a lot of pressure and usually deforming the primer. Get some new primers and try to seat them. If they go in smoothly then you've removed enough. If they don't feel as though they will go in you haven't removed enough. YOu can usaully see how much brass you removed. Are you sure they are crimped? I've gotten into some brass that was military but wasn't crimped enough to really worry about it. If its crimped you'll see a very fine ring around the primer. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures. I like the RCBS crimp remover but, I have the electric prep station. I usually just wipe the lube off with a towel.

 

[Mike 27]

As stated just remove the edge. I have used my Lee chamfer tool and a drill bit. I ended up picking up the RCBS tool and it works great.

 

[45lcshooter]

to get the lube off, i just towel mine off. RC and 243 hit it on the nail for the crimp.

Most reloaders will load 5 of each grain of powder they intend to shoot, with the same grain bullet.

Example:
30-30 Winchester
150gr Flat Nose
Remington 9 1/2 Primer
Varget Powder 31-34.5gr

i would make 5 cartridges up 31gr, 32gr, 33gr, 33.5gr, 34gr.

as i get to the MAX load, i go to half grains.

In pistol

45 Long Colt
Trail Boss 4.5gr-5.8gr
the pressures are 8,800psi-12,700psi

i would do 5 at 4.5gr, 4.7gr, 5.0gr, 5.2gr, 5.5gr, 5.8gr

But as always if doing max loads do it with caution.

thats just a little a little how i would do it for working up different loads. (i couldnt find my 223 5.56 paperwork. Im in the process of logging it in, on my netbook.)