primer size confusion

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yhtomit

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My initial batch of .45 ACP cases for reloading is mixed -- some examples from several brands are in there.

I noticed after popping out the primers that the Winchester ammo has a smaller flash hole than the Speer and Federal cases do; does this mean anything to me when it comes to putting in primers? Is that just a matter of manufacturing whimsy, or do I need to treat the cases differently? The actual space for the primer proper seems to be the same ...

timothy
 
I don't think anyone's noticed a problem with different flash hole sizes for .45acp. Some of the early WinClean brass had HUGE flash holes, but reloaded fine. I think now the WinClean and some of the other "clean" loadings use small pistol primers. Something else to watch for in the process...

Good luck and good shooting.
 
... do I need to treat the cases differently?
There's not much you can do differently. Use the correct size and type of primer for the load you are creating and the rest will take care of itself. They went pop once with those size flash holes, they will again. :)

Only when the case has the letters "NR" (Not Reloadable) on it do you need to throw them out. (Or if they have the letters AMERC. ;) )
 
It's my belief that because the 45acp is such a low pressure round that any variance in flash hole size, or individual case dimension doesn't make much of a difference in the final point of impact.

Or I could be wrong...
 
Mal H wrote:

"Only when the case has the letters "NR" (Not Reloadable) on it do you need to throw them out. (Or if they have the letters AMERC. )"

Err, is this like a snipe hunt? Are there really rounds that otherwise appear reloadable that are legitimately *not* safely reloadable, and they say "NR" on the headstamp? You've confuzzled me ...

timothy
 
Mal H is talking about aluminum cases made by Speer under the label "Blazer". They can't be reloaded and are Berdan primed. Even the Berdan primer is an odd size to prevent anyone from attempting to reload them.

Any brass cases with a single flash hole are reloadable, unless headstamped "A-Merc". Don't attempt to reload any A-Merc brass, especially just starting out, as it will make you frustrated and doubt your abilities. It's pretty much junk, so don't even mess with it.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
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