Winchester 45 acp hard to prime.

[DBEAM]

I was loading some 45 acp on my lee load master a few months ago using its primer system and due to numerous issues (missing primers, sideways primers, high primers, upside down primers) I quit using the press (this wasn't my first time fighting with the primer system on the press) to prime and started using my lee ergo primers.

Anyways I'm using cci 300 primers in a mix of perfecta, federal, speer, and winchester cases and the winchester cases are killing my wrist, I mean I have to use both hands and really squeeze hard. I am now sure that they were half of my problem with the load masters primer system. They do seem to be getting better the more times they are reloaded and I guess this is probably a good sign for their longevity. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Spade5]

make sure it isn't small primer brass

The only small primer brass I have run across is Federal.

I run a primer reamer through all my brass which is supposed to true it up.

My eyes aren't good enough any more to visually see the difference consistently so if the reamer does not fit, then I know it is small primer.

I do find Winchester to be tighter but not so much as you describe.

 

[Hangingrock]

In all honesty I can't say I have experienced your problem. I reload mixed head stamp commercial cartridge cases. Mil-Spec cases I remove the primer pocket crimp with a swage.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

Some Winchester NT (non-toxic) .45 ACP brass has pockets for small primers.

 

[RugerBob]

As we get older....etc.
I use the hand prime, loved it. Bought one for my Dad. He said same, hurt the wrist/hand.
10 years later I now say the same.
Used to do a few hundred watching tv. Not anymore.

 

[Wildfire]

My way.

I know what will happen showing this. The machine so many love to hate.
I love this thing and have used it for a long long time.
With my added shell kicker it is sweet and takes the work out.

 

[Reloadron]

Sometimes you just run into tight primer pockets. Considering the SAAMI specifications for primers and primer pockets Large Pistol (Typical .45 ACP) Pocket width is 0.2085 - 0.2100 and the primer width is 0.2105 - 0.2130. You may want to use your calipers and measure several of the Winchester Brass pocket widths and the width of the primers you have.

While much of the newer .45 ACP brass has gone to a small primer the dimensions for small primer pockets are a width of 0.1745 - 0.1765 so I really doubt you are trying to fit large pistol primers into small pistol primer pockets. Looking at the allowable SAAMI tolerances for large pistol it is easy to see how some combinations will make for a tight fit. Sometimes depending on the brass it just happens. I would take a few measurments and see how the numbers work out.

Ron

 

[chris in va]

I tried two hand primers and went back to the Ram Prime with my Hand Press. Good leverage and feel.

 

[joem1945]

Once in a while I may pick up range brass along with my own. Some of these are either very hard to prime. If I have the slightest problem those cases go to the scrap bucket.

 

[rooster65]

I have the same thing in Win .40 s&w brass. There is almost no chamfer around the primer pocket to help the primer line up into the case. Compare your win cases to your others. Federals go real easy, lots of chamfer.

 

[rg1]

Winchester 45 ACP cases don't have much of a radius on the primer pocket lip. I don't see them harder to seat a primer but they don't seem to start as easy. I use CCI and RP primers in 45 ACP and prefer my RCBS Automatic bench mounted priming tool.

 

[DBEAM]

All of the winchester brass i'm referring to is from wwb. I don't think I could possibly put a large pistol primer into a small pistol primer spot. I also reload .38 and 9mm so I do deal with small primers also which in general seem to prime easier then any large primer brass, makes sense less surface area you pressing against.

The winchester brass is just hard for me to seat all the way and the stop feels mushy/not clear, brass like federal pushes in easier and has a clear stopping point. I'm thinking maybe its some residue left as it does seem to get easier as it get reprimed several times.

Wildfires tool looks nice but don't think I would want to be limited to buying strips, they do cost more don't they? Its hard enough for me to find regular primers around here.

 

[Wildfire]

No buying strips.

I knew it would toss some off a tad. I have not even seen primers in strips for a long time. I know they can be had that way. But, This little tool works to install the primers. 25 at a time. The strips connect to each other going through the machine. No need to stop once you get things rolling. There are other systems out there. And as I said, this machine is the one so many loved to hate. I found that they just did not understand it right.
Yes, like anything else, I reworked it some. I used a brass insert instead of their plastic part. The brass was a cut off .223 round. Still working perfect.
In fact I am using it tonight.

Once up and loaded strips are ready, I can prime hundreds of rounds without stopping. Doing some .300 win mags right now and this thing has a very nice feel when pushing those primers in.

 

[roval]

There are crimped winchester 45 acp which is extremely irritating, now you have to sort small pistol and crimped large pistol.

 

[highlander 5]

I have Federal,Winchester,Blazer and Fiocchi 45 brass that has spp.
Can't say that I've had any difficulties in loading my 45 brass with spp. Perhaps a primer pocket reamer is needed to clean up the pockets.

 

[gotboostvr]

I just put a chamfer on the primer pocket with that little Lee inside/outside deburr tool

Works like a charm.

 

[DBEAM]

If that thing had a case feeder I would be sold. I know it sounds stupid to use a progressive for one pass, then prime, then do a final pass but it is so much better then single stage to me and I love the automation of a case feeder and I use a bullet feeder. I like being able to just pull the lever and be completely free to monitor the process. If I had a press that primed well and had a lot of stations I wouldn't need to but I can't justify the cost right now. It would have to prime perfectly though I couldn't stand to complete rounds to find powder leaking out, its nice knowing all my primers are good, right now each one gets a quick inspection after being seated.

 

[joneb]

I prime on a RCBS Chucker press so I have some leverage. I load like head stamps only, reason is all those differences between different head stamps.
I find that 45 acp Winchester brass is hard to prime with WLP and CCI 300 primers, F-150 or GM-150 are a breeze.

 

[greenmtnguy]

I was all set to load up some 45ACP target rounds the other day, and then realized the Fiocchi brass I had picked up were small pistol primered cases... back to the store again - but I needed more SPP for feeding the other handguns anyhow.

They did seem a little bit more resistant to seat, but all seated fine with my hand primer.