338 lapua primer seating on new brass

[armada]

Hello everyone, I just tried to load some ammo, 338 Lapua, using late production new Lapua brass, RCBS hand primer tool, and Winchester Large magnum primers. My RCBS shell holder is NOT the Rigby model, but the alternate. I can't remember off the top of my head since I'm at work.

All the other steps were used with the same shell holder and worked just fine. but when I got to priming, I felt that the primer was not seating all the way into the primer pocket. The handle on the priming tool bottomed out. The primer is level with the bottom of the case, but not as deep as my 308 rounds.
I've deprimed all my factory ammo that I've shot so I can't compare, and the stores are closed to ask. So I'm asking the pros here on the hide. I have loaded for many years and this is the first time I've ever ran into this.



I always thought that the primer should be below the surface of the case. Is my situation okay? I only loaded 5. Should I dis-assemble my rounds and start over? Perhaps my priming tool has worn out? I have used this tool for about 3500 308s and 900 300 win mags and maybe less that 700 300WSM. Have had no problems with seating primers on my WSMs last week. Could the alternate RCBS shell holder be too tall for the primer ram?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 338 lapua primer seating

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armada</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello everyone, I just tried to load some ammo, 338 Lapua, using late production Lapua brass, RCBS hand primer tool, and Winchester Large magnum primers. My RCBS shell holder is NOT the Rigby model, but the alternate. I can't remember off the top of my head since I'm at work.

All the other steps were used with the same shell holder and worked just fine. but when I got to priming, I felt that the primer was not seating all the way into the primer pocket. The handle on the priming tool bottomed out. The primer is level with the bottom of the case, but not as deep as my 308 rounds.
I've deprimed all my factory ammo that I've shot so I can't compare, and the stores are closed to ask. So I'm asking the pros here on the hide. I have loaded for many years and this is the first time I've ever ran into this.



I always thought that the primer should be below the surface of the case. Is my situation okay? I only loaded 5. Should I dis-assemble my rounds and start over? Perhaps my priming tool has worn out? I have used this tool for about 3500 308s and 900 300 win mags and maybe less that 700 300WSM. Have had no problems with seating primers on my WSMs last week. Could the alternate RCBS shell holder be too tall for the primer ram?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. </div></div>

First of all, buy a Sinclair pocket uniformer for LG rifle and SM rifle and get the power drill holder for both. Next, get a power drill or cordless drill and chuck the holder in that and go to town on all of your new brass, be it 308, 223 or 338.

This will allow you to seat a few thous below flush. After a half dozen firings, repeat the process when you go to clean your primer pockets. I clean them out every three cycles, as doing this chore everytime is a waste of your time.

There are two shellholders that work for the Lapua and Norma brass. There are more than a few threads here in RELOADING discussing which brands are what, but I can't recall off the top of my head. I also don't know where Hornady brass fits into this equation.

Unless those five are sticking way out, I wouldn't worry about it, but get the Sinclair carbide pocket UNIFORMERS and their holder and you'll be set for life.

Chris

 

[GOING FOR 2000]

Re: 338 lapua primer seating

I have run into this before. The suggestions posted are all good. But check your primer pockets for residue around the corner between the bottom and the edge wall. You can get a residue buildup there that will prevent the primer cup from seating all the way. If this is the case, take a small jeweler's type screwdriver and scrape carefully around that corner. It will remove the residue. Also, your hand primer may not be applying enough pressure to sensitize the primer by pressing the anvil flush with the primer cup. You say you're using RCBS. Try using your press to finish seating the primer. Add pressure carefully and if sensitizing is the problem, you will feel a very slight bump as the anvil is pressed in flush with the primer cup.

Also, you might want to consider changing to Federal 215 primers. I have had hangfires and misfires with other primers using Reloader 25 powder. I now exclusively use Federals in my .338 Lapua Magnum.

Hope this helps.

 

[Armorman]

Re: 338 lapua primer seating on new brass

The primers should be seated at a consistent depth slightly below the case. I have the older RCBS hand priming tool. It's the one that has no tray attached to it. I can adjust the primer seating depth by unscrewing or screwing in the primer rod. I'm not sure which RCBS tool you have but is it possible that you can adjust the primer rod on yours? I'm using a RCBS shellholder #14 and it works great.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: 338 lapua primer seating on new brass

Standard shell holders all have a 1/4" standard height spec. What brand of primers are you using and which tool? Primers have a seating depth spec, and not all brands are the same.

 

[armada]

Re: 338 lapua primer seating on new brass

The Primers I'm using are Winchester large magnum primers, chrome plated. I've had them since the early 90's. I've been using them up for years, had about 20K of each magnum and standard. As far as the priming tool, it has a circular loading tray and has no provisions for priming rod adjustment. Probably a newer generation, about 7 years old. The shell holder is an RCBS #14. I guess what puzzles me is that the primers I seated on the 300WSM and 308, Winchester brass, sat further down into the case when using the same primers. On the Lapua, the primer seems to sit flush with the bottom of the case while the others I can actually feel the slight depth change with my fingers. I will try to attach the priming unit on my press to see if I can seat the primers deeper on my other brass. I just didn't think about it at the time. Do you guys think the five loaded rounds are safe to fire?

Thanks again everyone.