Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

[Smithcollector]

I normally use Remington brass, but bought a few bags of Winchester. When I seated the CCI primers with the RCBS priming tool I noticed the primers seemed to seat much easier than with the Remington brass. There was slight resistance, compared to a much more pronounced "seat" before.

I have no experience with pockets loosened up by hot loads or multiple loadings. Is it likely there is a problem with this lot, or is Winchester brass set up this way, or should I start dropping powder?

Thanks

 

[roggom]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

Is this virgin brass? Winny tends to have less powder capacity than RP. If you go from RP to WW you must drop and work back up.

 

[Smithcollector]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

Yes it's new brass, all I've done is prime it and noticed the difference in my old Remington brass. I haven't dropped any powder yet. I am afraid I have a bad lot of brass and am going to blow a primer.

 

[comanche9]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

Bought a few bags (50 count) of winchester brass 300WM last month and the primers went in real easy. Didn't think much about it till I was shooting that lot and some of the primers where actually falling out of the cases due to recoil. First noticed it when my bolt wouldn't close because the primer fell out and was In between the bolt face and the base of the case. Pulled the mag and saw one the next rouns primer had fallen out and one that had worked half way out.

 

[stranded]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

I had same problem + uncompleted neck /shoulder in about 6% of 200 rounds. throw away any that feel loose. This is when I decided to buy Lapua when it's on sale. I don't know, Win. rushing to fill orders or out sourcing?

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

I've had Win brass primer pockets get loose after several reloads using CCI primers, BUT then I put Win primers in and issue was gone. I think I happened to get lucky. All I use is Win/Win combo now. Tried other combos but I've gotten consistent results with Win/Win & Rem/Rem. I've experienced issues with Rem brass & CCI primers too. I'm don't compete.

 

[arnie19]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

Buy some russian primers ,they are very tight in any case i use .Too tight to my liking .Arnie

 

[Clark]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

The SAAMI specs on small rifle primer pockets and primers

......................diameter min max
small rifle primer pocket .1730 .1745


..................... Diameter min max
Small rifle primers .1745 .1765

 

[rockn30809]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

Don't know how old your brass is but I've heard mention of Winchester brass suckin here recently. I haven't experienced it myself but have heard it mentioned a few times.

 

[santee116]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

I had the same issue on the last bag of WW .223 brass that I purchased. I hesitate to try WW again in the near future. Hopefully it was just a bad lot, b/c I've had good luck with WW in the past.

 

[BCP]

Re: Loose primer pockets in New Winchester 223 brass

I noticed that with my last bag of 223 win brass and cci primers. They shot fine but then I loaded them on the light side as well.