I just started reloading .45's with my Dillion 550. I got 3 out of 30 that the primer is not seated all the way up into the shell. It is not seated flush. I tried to seat them again but they will not go up any higher. Does anyone know what causing that and what do I do with the shells with those primers?
Some primers not seating properly
- Thread starter ra407
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Steve H
Member
Are you cleaning the primer pockets? I know a lot of folks that reload do not clean the pockets on pistol cartridges but IMHO this is a big mistake.
Steve H
Member
Primer pocket cleaning tool. I use the RCBS set, there are two different "attachments" that go into the pocket. One is a cross hatched "scraping" type that scrapes out the old powder and the other is a brush about the diameter of the pocket.
here is the Midway link
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=401865&t=11082005
here is the Midway link
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=401865&t=11082005
Steve H
Member
I'd get rid of the ones that are not seated properly and go ahead and use the others. Next time around I would clean the pockets. Like I said, a lot of folks do not clean the pockets on a handgun cartridge.............I do, it just gives me a warm fuzzy felling when I squeeze the trigger. Also it adds a couple of minutes to the reloading process.
benchgrinder
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I clean my primer pockets as well. Sometimes there's just enough crud to cause a problem with primer seating, so cleaning the pockets avoids that. Most guys don't bother. In rifle reloading, on the other hand, a lot of guys do clean the pockets.
Some primer pockets are a little tighter then others. You need to make sure properly seat the primer every time, even if it has a little more resistance. I find if I am not careful that I start to end the primer seating stroke after encountering a certain amount of resistance rather than finishing the stoke.
I never clean primer pockets on pistol ammo and never have a problem with primers not seating properly. Many others have the same experience.
I won't tell anyone not to clean them. It can't hurt, and if it makes them feel warm & fuzzy, then do it.
It sounds like an adjustment problem, or like someone has posted already, an occasional tight pocket.
I tumble, run the clean cases through my progressive with nothing but the sizer, prime with my RCBS hand primer, run them through my progressive with the expander, seater, and crimp die. My progressive dumps powder in the 3rd station through a drop tube with 2 brass "funnels". One works with .32 and smaller and one fits .35 and up.
IMHO a hand primer can do a better job than a progressive setup for consistent priming, but I have limited experience here. I do know it is better than using my progressive to prime.
I won't tell anyone not to clean them. It can't hurt, and if it makes them feel warm & fuzzy, then do it.
It sounds like an adjustment problem, or like someone has posted already, an occasional tight pocket.
I tumble, run the clean cases through my progressive with nothing but the sizer, prime with my RCBS hand primer, run them through my progressive with the expander, seater, and crimp die. My progressive dumps powder in the 3rd station through a drop tube with 2 brass "funnels". One works with .32 and smaller and one fits .35 and up.
IMHO a hand primer can do a better job than a progressive setup for consistent priming, but I have limited experience here. I do know it is better than using my progressive to prime.
target1911
Member
Usually the only time I have a problem is when I run into one with the factory crimped primer. Sometimes it deformes the primer and sometimes it wont seat properly. I just toss those in my scrap can and move on.
I dont clean mine either.
I dont clean mine either.
Some primers don't seat
It has been my experience that some primers are just more difficult to seat all the way and this will show up as some (usually small) percentage of high primers. I get more high primers using Winchester primers than Federals. It's likely, IMHO, to be a combination of surface finish and dimensional tolerance control. And then there will be the times when tolerances just stack up badly for you, a pocket on the small side of OK meets a primer on the large.
cheers,
Norm
It has been my experience that some primers are just more difficult to seat all the way and this will show up as some (usually small) percentage of high primers. I get more high primers using Winchester primers than Federals. It's likely, IMHO, to be a combination of surface finish and dimensional tolerance control. And then there will be the times when tolerances just stack up badly for you, a pocket on the small side of OK meets a primer on the large.
cheers,
Norm
I agree 100% with Norm Lee. Some cases are just a PITA. I've also noticed that Win cases are more difficult to seat primers especially compared to Federal.. I love Federal cases! I also think CCI primers- at least in .45ACP are more difficult to seat properly. I have hardly any problems with WSP/WLP with Federal brass and that's my preferred combination.
Also... I can't imagine cleaning primer pockets with all the shooting I do. I did this when I first started reloading and quickly stopped.... not worth it at all.
Also... I can't imagine cleaning primer pockets with all the shooting I do. I did this when I first started reloading and quickly stopped.... not worth it at all.
Texas_Don
Member
I have had that trouble to some degree with every press I have used (for 50 years now).
I much prefer now to seat my primers while setting comfortable watching TV etc, so I use a separate Lee hand seating tool. RCBS makes a nice one also). The feel is SO much more precision!
Just reseat all the primers with such a tool after you have run them thru the progressive press or whatever.
Don't be afraid of setting off a loaded shell, you would have to do something real dumb to set off a primer with a blunt end of such a tool. HOWEVER, if you are not using a progressive press there is NO REASON not to seat all your primers with the abovementioned hand tool. Best thing I ever bought!
I much prefer now to seat my primers while setting comfortable watching TV etc, so I use a separate Lee hand seating tool. RCBS makes a nice one also). The feel is SO much more precision!
Just reseat all the primers with such a tool after you have run them thru the progressive press or whatever.
Don't be afraid of setting off a loaded shell, you would have to do something real dumb to set off a primer with a blunt end of such a tool. HOWEVER, if you are not using a progressive press there is NO REASON not to seat all your primers with the abovementioned hand tool. Best thing I ever bought!
30Cal
Member
Some brass (.mil for sure) has crimped primers and you'll need to cut or swage the crimp before you can seat a new primer.
RustyFN
Member
I run all of my 223 cases in the tumbler for 15 minuates after sizing to remove the lube. That's when I clean the primer pockets.
Rusty
Rusty
Wildfire
Member
High Primers
I load .45acp on a dillion and have not had any high primers. Freind of mine does. I use CCIs he uses Win. He claims the winchester primers fit tighter. Maybe he is right. Could be an adjustment issue, but I guess without knowing all the facts maybe the case had an issue or the primers are on the fat side. I would not keep trying to seat them deeper. If something is under that primer like a peice of corn cob or walnut you may be buying a new reloader, Chest , face, hands, ect.
Also Flush is not really where they belong. .003 to .005" below the head is where they should be.
I load .45acp on a dillion and have not had any high primers. Freind of mine does. I use CCIs he uses Win. He claims the winchester primers fit tighter. Maybe he is right. Could be an adjustment issue, but I guess without knowing all the facts maybe the case had an issue or the primers are on the fat side. I would not keep trying to seat them deeper. If something is under that primer like a peice of corn cob or walnut you may be buying a new reloader, Chest , face, hands, ect.
Also Flush is not really where they belong. .003 to .005" below the head is where they should be.
SilentArmy
Member
From the sound of description in OP you need to complete the press stroke!! This press Primes on the upstroke of the second station and if you short stroke it or do not return COMPLETELY to the top of stroke Each time, You will have primer issues such as you described. I will bet you a cold soda this is the problem. If you just throw a load of brass into your casefeeder (if you use one) then you may find Crimped pockets, Berdan cases, wrong calibers whatever in there and have suprises to deal with. Watch for Military crimped cases or certain brands with inherently tight primer pockets and dal with them accordingly (at the scrap rate of brass right now, put them in a bag and sell em to the junkyard!) It's hardly worth the time to ream or swage pistol cases and I have a super swage!
lil ski
Member
I agree with many others I don't clean my primer pockets. I have had a few cases that the primers wont seat right. I started putting them off to the side and what I noticed they are all the same brand and head stamp so now I look for those and toss them out. So your problem is probably just bad primer pockets if most are seating properly than you adjustment is good.
cleaning primer pockets
I don't clean them either. It would just take too much time. If i find 3 out of 100 with primers not seated properly i just toss them. If i were shooting
a bullseye match, etc. and had matched brass etc that would be different
i might consider cleaning them.
wood
I don't clean them either. It would just take too much time. If i find 3 out of 100 with primers not seated properly i just toss them. If i were shooting
a bullseye match, etc. and had matched brass etc that would be different
i might consider cleaning them.
wood
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