Primer seating issues

[strat81]

I'm having some trouble seating CCI Large Rifle primers into 1x fired 7.62x39 brass, FC, WIN, and Fiocchi headstamps. They go in fine and don't feel like I'm pushing past a crimp. However, when I'm done many of them aren't seated deep enough and require a very firm push to get them in deep enough. I've tried reaming the pocket a bit with an RCBS chamfer tool, but it didn't do much. Giving the handle a few strong pushes gets them in.

I'm using the Lee Safety Prime on a Classic Turret Press. Any thoughts?

 

[redneck2]

Yeah. It's pretty well known that CCI's are a harder material and may tend to be oversize. I tried to use some for large rifle and they were a bear to seat. Switched to Federals and the problem was solved.

 

[Grumulkin]

There is an RCBS product with the same thread pitch as your dies so it can be screwed into your press. It comes with a couple for large & small primers and a shell holder is used to hold the case. It has much more leverage than other priming devices and I predict it will seat your primers with ease.

 

[USSR]

I'm using the Lee Safety Prime on a Classic Turret Press. Any thoughts?

strat81,

Both Lee and RCBS make handheld primer seating tools, which are much better for the job of seating primers than a press is. Also, get yourself a primer pocket uniformer.

Don

 

[koja48]

Are you cleaning the primer pockets?

 

[strat81]

Are you cleaning the primer pockets?

Yes.

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

They go in fine and don't feel like I'm pushing past a crimp. However, when I'm done many of them aren't seated deep enough and require a very firm push to get them in deep enough.

I sure hope you are not going back and pushing them in harder after you have loaded powder and bullets. Did that once, sure glad it don't rain much in the SW.

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

here is a link to the item talked about earlier in this thread from RCBS

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=447022&t=11082005

 

[GunTech]

DO NOT force primers. I use CCI bench rest primers in just about all my rifles, with a Sinclair hand priming tool. If they aren't going down fully, you need to ream the pockets with a uniformer. My preference is for the Sinclair tool.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RECPUN&item=UN-8002&type=store

Primers should be a couple of thousandths under the case head and should go in with moderate pressure from a hand priming tool. If you need a big seater with lots of leverage, something is very, very wrong.

It's good relaoding pricatice to ream flash holes and uniform primer pockets with new brass. It only has to be done once and pays off in the long run.

 

[strat81]

Thanks for the tips guys. A buddy has the Dillon Swager, I'll give that a try. I'll also try to get a box of Winchester primers, see if those are any smaller/easier.

 

[Luggernut]

I've had problems with CCI primers in .45ACP, switched to Winchester and things got much better. I also find that Winchester has tighter pockets that say Federal or CCI.. handguns at least.

 

[USSR]

A buddy has the Dillon Swager, I'll give that a try.

strat81,

The Dillon Swager isn't going to help. On cases with crimped primers, if you don't swage or cut the crimp out, you can't even start a primer into the primer pocket. You said your problem is with fully seating them. Primers are supposed to be a snug fit, so just used the primer pocket uniformer I told you about and eat your Wheaties.

Don

 

[koja48]

I second using a uniformer, cleaning, and a hand primer. If the problem persists, try different primers. If it still persists, pinch the necks closed on the brass & trash it.