Quick way to uniform primer pockets

[Muddydogs]

I've done a google search and didn't find anything so I thought I would ask, maybe someone has a good idea.

I get a major back log of cases at the uniforming primer pocket stage in my reloading, I use the RCBS case mate prep center where I clean up the case mouths, uniform primer pocket, debur the flash hole and run a brush in the case just to double check theirs no media present. It seems like it takes forever to uniform the primer pockets the first time around and I find it to be a tedious task I hate so much so I will keep finding other things to do like sizing, tumbling, trimming all my brass until I have as much as 500 pieces stacked up needing to be worked over on the case mate. I've tried putting the uniforming tool in my drill which is somewhat faster but hard on the fingers.

Anyone have a good way of uniforming? Is there a better uniformer then the RCBS tool?

 

[Rule3]

Quickest way I have found is just not doing it!

Guess it depends if this is for match rifle shooting or what?

 

[Muddydogs]

Not match, I just like the consistent primer seating that a uniform primer pocket gives me plus after the pocket is uniformed there's nothing better to clean the primer pocket with then the uniformer as just a second is needed to clean the crud out of the hole.

I don't uniform all my brass, mainly hunting and defense loads but lately I seem to be loading a lot of hunting loads.

 

[Rule3]

If you are using the RCBS power unit, how long can uniforming a pocket take? It is a one time deal and I can not imagine anything faster. It is already motorized??

 

[Walkalong]

K&M uniformer under power. Drill press, drill, lathe, etc.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sorry I can't help you because I don't routinely uniform primer pockets. I see no reason to do so since I'm not in the very long distance shooting game. I figure if the factory could seat the primer the first time so could I. The tool Walkalong linked to looks like a good one.

 

[MDof2]

Two ways I've found. One notably easier than the other.
1. Chuck the RCBS pocket uniform tool up in a drill press and run each though as needed. The K&M tool is an excellent option, similar to the RCBS.
2. Don't buy milsurp crimped brass.

 

[Muddydogs]

So basically what I thought, there's no secret I don't know about.

I have found the drill press is no better then a drill and actually more of a pain to get the case lined up, been there and done that.

Not talking milsurp brass. I don't uniform most of my LC brass but then I'm not hunting with it. Mainly its 25-06, 7mm, 30-06 and some .40.

I know some don't uniform the primer pocket and I only due on my quality stuff. I may only get one shot at an animal after hunting for a week plus so I don't want to leave anything to chance. I want clean uniform primer pockets, hand weight each powder charge and seat each bullet just right. I may go overboard but in 100,000's of metallic rounds and shot shells I have never had a blooper, squid, misfire, hang fire or other problem with my loads from 110 degree's in AZ to -20 in Montana. There's been a couple times that I have trusted my life to my hand loads so I do what I do and don't think twice about the ammo in my firearm.

 

[Rule3]

So basically what I thought, there's no secret I don't know about.

Well if we told you it wouldn't be a secret anymore!

To me the RCBS unit with a carbide uniformer would pretty much be like a drill. Maybe the drill has higher RPM but how many twists does it take? One or two?

I ream out primer CRIMPS with the RCBS or Hornady in a drill and it takes a second or two.

Wish I had a power tool to ream out SHRIMPS veins (Wife doesn't like the looks, I don't care)

 

[Axis II]

OP are you having issues with holding the brass while it cuts and this is why you don't like doing it? When i do mine or any chamfer, debur and the case might spin i have those nitrile dipped gloves with the rubber on the fingers and it helps hold the brass to keep it from spinning if this is indeed your issue?

 

[Muddydogs]

I sometimes use gloves other times go until my fingers hurt then look for the gloves. Generally its just boring and monotonous work, sometime I find myself half asleep and nodding off. Haven't really timed myself but it seems to take forever to get through 100 pieces.

I don't think my reamer is carbide, maybe its time to replace the tool because its way more then 1 or 2 turns to uniform the primer pocket. If I had to guess it take 30 + seconds. I'll time a few tonight and see.

 

[Rule3]

K&M uniformer under power. Drill press, drill, lathe, etc.

I like the description! Pocket CORRECTION TOOL!

 

[Rule3]

I sometimes use gloves other times go until my fingers hurt then look for the gloves. Generally its just boring and monotonous work, sometime I find myself half asleep and nodding off. Haven't really timed myself but it seems to take forever to get through 100 pieces.

I don't think my reamer is carbide, maybe its time to replace the tool because its way more then 1 or 2 turns to uniform the primer pocket. If I had to guess it take 30 + seconds. I'll time a few tonight and see.

That doesn't sound right? 30 seconds???

Time for a new tool and or better motor??

No wonder you hate it!

 

[Lilsnoop]

I use the following:

 

[Muddydogs]

I use the same RCBS stuff but upon thinking about it I have had the uniformer for 20+ years and I don't think the cutter was carbide back then so its probably dull as dull. I thought I changed it out a few years ago but from what I could find in my order records it looks like I changed out my 3 way cutter head and case trimmer cutter and not the uniformer. Guess its time for a new uniformer.

 

[illinoisburt]

Maybe rethink the method instead of the tool. A swager would be faster and less work. Probably have equal results, too.

 

[Walkalong]

A swager is for removing crimps, and will not cut/flatten the bottom of the primer pocket, which is the whole idea with a primer pocket uniformer.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Yep, I use the carbide RCBS uniformer pictured above in #14 in a Frankfort Arsenal. Works okay there.

 

[FROGO207]

One of my reloading buddies gave me 50 30-06 LC brass that was primer pocket/flash hole uniformed to try once. I shot them head to head with my CH4D swaged only 30-06 LC brass. After shooting 25 of each in two different rifles and comparing through several reload cycles at 300 YDS I found no difference. So I do clean my primer pockets with SS pins as it is done incidentally when wet cleaning but do not bother uniform primer pockets or flash holes these days. I know you only have to do it one time but still would rather spend time doing other things like annealing or trimming the brass with that time. YMMV