Reloading .223. Brass shaving when priming question. Not sure it's worth it.

[Skulptor]

I have been reloading some .223's for competition shooting. (T.S.A.) It seems some of the brass with the (for lack of a better term) 4 point crimp is shaving off little slivers when I press the primer into the case. (I'm using a Dillon 550). The tiny finger nail shaped shaving then get between the primer and the seating punch and dent the primer. Other than sorting out all the "4 point" cases, is there something else I can do? I currently pull each fresh primed case out and inspect it, and then see if there are any slivers on the punch that I have to blow off. (PITA)
I'll be honest, I'm thinking reloading .223's is not worth it. By the time I lube, deprime and shape, trim and load while checking each round for slivers, I can only do about 100 an hour, at best. I would be less inclined to not worry about the time if I could make very accurate rounds but, I'm not sure they are that much better. What have you guys experienced?
I can buy quality reloads for .30 a round (1000 round lots). I'm not sure I can justify reloading them - and I really enjoy reloading.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Walkalong]

is there something else I can do?

Sort out and swage or ream all the brass that had crimped in primers.

 

[dgod]

Yup, sounds like crimp rings..

 

[hdwhit]

Skulptor wrote:
It seems some of the brass with the (for lack of a better term) 4 point crimp is shaving off little slivers...

What you refer to as a "4 point crimp" is generally referred to as a "staked" primer. It is a form of mechanical retention of the primer achieved by using a pin, needle or blade (called a stake) to displace some of the brass at a number of specific points around the perimeter of the primer. It achieves the same result as the more familiar ring (or annular) crimp of keeping the primer from being driven out of the primer pocket and interfering with the action of the rifle.

The solution, as Walkalong mentioned, is to swage or ream crimped cases to remove the crimp. If you are using a progressive press you might be able to just add a swage die to your reloading process. It will not hurt un-crimped brass to be processed as if crimped since proper crimp removal merely restores the opening of the primer pocket to its pre-crimp dimension.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Well, I think they're worth the effort. Swaging may be an extra step, but doesn't take long, and each case only needs it once.

 

[RussellC]

Dillon Swager. Best hundred bucks you will spend (as far as .223/5.56 is concerned), and it will match the press too!

Russellc

 

[Dudedog]

Sadly crimped primers are a fact of life with .223 brass unless you buy new commercial brass.
Just remove them with one of the various tools designed to do that.
I use this
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/501588/hornady-primer-pocket-reamer-tool-small $12.
I mark my brass with a sharpie on the base so I can tell I have already removed the crimp. (only needs to be done once)

 

[Walkalong]

The RCBS is less prone to enlarging the primer pocket than the Hornady. I had a Hornady, dulled the side cutters so it wouldn't cut on the sides of the PP, but then got the RCBS, which works much better IMHO.

 

[Skulptor]

Thank you!!! I appreciate all the help! I will look into a swager. I'm already in deep so I it's either that or sell the dies and trimmer. I guess I figured it was going to take more time, which ever way I went but, I guess it's a fact of dealing with .223's.
I will keep the dies and maybe make rounds occasionally, but, I'm finding it's not worth the time when ammo is as cheap as it is now. God forbid, but more than likely, there will be something that causes a sharp spike in ammo prices again.
Thanks again guys!!!

 

[Blue68f100]

It's only something you do once then your done till the brass gives up. It does not take long to do once you get into a rythem. I have the setup for the LNL-AP and does not not take long at all with it. Can do around 400+/hr with it.

 

[cfullgraf]

To add, de-crimping a case is a one time thing. Once the crimp is removed, the case will not have to go through the de-crimping stage for the remainder of it's life.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Thank you!!! I appreciate all the help! I will look into a swager. I'm already in deep so I it's either that or sell the dies and trimmer. I guess I figured it was going to take more time, which ever way I went but, I guess it's a fact of dealing with .223's.
I will keep the dies and maybe make rounds occasionally, but, I'm finding it's not worth the time when ammo is as cheap as it is now. God forbid, but more than likely, there will be something that causes a sharp spike in ammo prices again.
Thanks again guys!!!

Well, that is one way to accumulate good, once fired brass..... Buy complete cartridges and empty them with a bang! When boredom sets in, and time allows, you can still go through and get the brass all prepped a little at a time.

 

[Skulptor]

Very good point, Iron. Bad thing is, I have SOOOO many dang gone hobbies, and a business to run, I'm not sure what that "boredom thing" is that you speak of. LOL That is why I am looking to somehow save time. But, I will say, I do enjoy reloading and especially fine tuning a round for a specific gun. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of "fine tuning" to be done on my Tavor.
I was also thinking that maybe I would start competing with an M-1 Carbine. I love that gun and hopefully, reloading would be a little less time consuming. Just a thought............
I appreciate all you guy's help!!! (as usual!!)

 

[jeeptim]

Stabbed in primers are uassaly really good brass lake city and the like.
Sort swag reload. I use CCI primers makes the brass quickly idenafable as reloads and if I'm pick in them up prolly mine.