S&B/Herters cases tight primer fix

[Claus]

When I started reloading a little over a year ago I picked up several hundred Herters 38 spl rounds to start saving the brass. After lots of stumbles, smashed primers and aggravation I learned from this list that these brands (Cabela's Herter boxes say they're loaded by S&B) tend to have tight primer pockets. And using a wheel gun, I never seem to lose any. So I've gradually bought others to replace the Herter's.

Are these cases fixable? Would something like a Lyman (small) primer pocket reamer work ? Is it possible to make he primer pocket too big with this type of tool ? Or should I just toss them ?

TIA for any suggestions and comments.

--Claus

 

[FROGO207]

For crimped primer pockets I usually use my CH4D primer pocket swager. These are not really crimped per say but the top of the pocket is not beveled. So using a crimp remover OR just reaming them a bit with a reamer, phillips bit, or knife blade will angle the edge of the primer pocket enough to allow easy repriming. Just look at one that primes easily and then at your S&B, you will see how much to remove from the top of the pocket.

 

[kingmt]

A reamer will work & yes it is possible to make them to big but I doubt you'll have that problem if your careful.

Pin gauges are very helpful when cutting primer pockets. The only cases I've cut the pockets in so far is 50 BMG. They are supposed to be .315" so I use a end mill that is .313 which I already expect a mill to cut oversized so I spin it in the pocket till a .314" pin will fit as my go gauge & a .315" as my no go gauge. So far all of them had cut to .314".

Good luck.

ETA: I second the CH4D for swaging. It's a nice tool that I use for 223 & 9mm.

I think Frog may have meant to chamfer the top of the hole since he referred to using a Philips.

 

[rskent]

Would something like a Lyman (small) primer pocket reamer work ? Is it possible to make he primer pocket too big with this type of tool ? Or should I just toss them ?

I have one of this on my bench for just this reason. Just a quick twist to get a light chamfer and your good to go.

 

[JimKirk]

Those S&B case are almost perfectly flat where the primer hole is in the case ... unlike other cases that have a slight bevel ... your aim has to be perfect also or the prime will catch one one edge ... a twist with a debur tool will give you the needed bevel or as some one said a Phillips bit in a cordless drill will make quick work of the probelm....