Loose primer pockets. Problem?

[TheGerman]

Just prepped and did the entire process on a bunch of 3 times fired 5.56 LC brass that I've been shooting out of my Mk12Mod1.

Come to the point of seating the primer, and a good 1 in 3 give me next to zero resistance when putting the primer in. I'm assuming this is from the high pressure loadings I've shot out of them, but the real question is, are these rounds going to perform differently?

They seat just fine, and if I smack the brass on a table a few times they don't move or come out so I'm actually not sure on how lose it even is other than when seating them, some you don't even get the primer seating 'pushback' from.

I'm not worried about brass life or anything like that for the 5.56 as I have a ton of brass for it, but am curious if shooting these now will give me different velocities/pressure/performance/FPS shifts/higher spreads because of the primer pocket being so open/loose or just shoot them and then toss them?

Doing load work ups, so an outside variable screwing with groups, velocities, extreme spreads and deviations is a huge problem right now.

 

[supercorndogs]

I keep running them until they fall out.

 

[TheGerman]

I keep running them until they fall out.

Thats what she said....

But you've never noticed any weird accuracy issues or velocity drops or anything? Was worried the loose pocket would allow gas to leak and change the pressure/dynamics of the round.

 

[cav has been]

Won't happen. Pressure seals them primers up tight. I used to have similar issues in my 223AI, finally backed off 100fps.

 

[supercorndogs]

Thats what she said....

But you've never noticed any weird accuracy issues or velocity drops or anything? Was worried the loose pocket would allow gas to leak and change the pressure/dynamics of the round.

I have only ever seen one primer leak a little and it fell out. i couldn't say if it was slower than the others. I doubt there will be any difference. I doubt they will leak if they hold primers.

 

[MtnCreek]

Shoot them. If you're wanting to get another loading out of the brass that's still tight, mark the heads of the loose brass with a sharpie so you know those need to be tossed. I haven't noticed any accuracy issues. I have had primes back out and lock up the mag.

 

[Fursniper]

Unless you have a completely sealed trigger in that puppy I'd be more concerned with a loose primer getting into the trigger mechanism and totally locking that gun up. If you've never had the joy of that experience you're in for a real "joy" eventually...

 

[shoot4fun]

In the past I marked loose fitting primers with an X on bottom of the case. Those that say it doesn't matter may be fooling themselves. Loads with the X most always shot to a different POI than the rest of the loads in the box. Eventually you will get some erosion on the bolt face from the leakage (even if minor). Lastly, worry about a primer coming out and locking the trigger. I've had that happen before and it caused a disconnector failure. You know what happens then.
So mark the too loose ones with an X and discard before the next loading.

 

[1MoreAR]

I marked the loose primer and put a dap of super glue to make sure it won't pop out and discard it after shoot. I had primer popped out and it jammed the trigger and it not fun to removed it out.

 

[GhengisAhn175]

I invested in a primer pocket tightening tool and it's been awesome. Keep using brass until I get case head failure signs from many firings on hot loads.

Kept the same brass for 3 barrels on a 260 and just chucked 2 out of the 300 I have because a slight ring started to show

 

[Forward543]

I dont know about pocket tightening, sounds new age cosmetic. But if your primer pockets are loose, its bedt to dump that brass in my experience. Brass is cheap compared to your gun jamming up during use. Quality .223 brass is cheap.

 

[TheGerman]

I invested in a primer pocket tightening tool and it's been awesome. Keep using brass until I get case head failure signs from many firings on hot loads.

Kept the same brass for 3 barrels on a 260 and just chucked 2 out of the 300 I have because a slight ring started to show

What is this witchcraft you speak of?

 

[GhengisAhn175]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/tired-of-loose-pockets-i-was-but-not-no-more.3862744/