Primer pocket prep?

[Freedomaintfree]

I am new to the forum and new to reloading. I just bought the RCBS supreme master kit and a few accessories. I plan to reload hunting ammo for 4 rifles in small batches. My priorities are for a 300 win mag with Berger 215 hybrids and a .308 after that.

I read the “reloading 101” post. It talked about a drill press primer pocket prep.

I don’t want to buy a drill press at this point... small budget and don’t have much space. What are other good options? What is a good budget option?

Thank you

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Assuming we aren't talked about crimped primers, you arguably don't need to do much primer pocket prep at all.

Those in search of 'extreme' accuracy will occasionally uniform primer pockets with a reamer to ensure the consistent depth, but I'd guess the vast majority of folks aren't doing that, nor is that going to translate into tangible results on target.

As far as taking care of the left over residue after a case has been fired, it's not really required with exception to extreme build-up. A lot are wet tumbling that stuff out anyway; that's one of the main 'features' of wet tumbling. Reloading tool companies also make primer pocket brushes and various other tools that will scrape it out, but it's not *required*.

That's a long way of saying, touching primer pockets is not usually necessary; especially for a beginner in a hunting rifle use-case. Just make sure the flash hole is unobstructed, and you should be fine.

If you insist on cleaning them, wet tumbling is probably the easiest and most economical (you need a tumbler anyway) way to do it.

 

[RegionRat]

I agree with Mike, I haven't looked at those tutorials so if they gave you the idea you need a drill press... we need to edit and update them.

Almost any motorized case prep center will be okay for neck chamfer as well as primer pocket debur and cleaning.

In a pinch, all you need is the tool and even a small corded or cordless driver can be used for power.

I doubt you will encounter much 300 WM brass that has a crimp, but in the instance of 223 and 308 it is fairly common in surplus or MilSpec ammo. Swage tools are also good at prepping previously crimped primer pockets, but so is a reaming tool that cuts it.

Like Mike said, the other use of the powered case prep centers is to just scour the pockets to remove debris, and to chamfer. In some instances the depth of the primer pocket can also be uniformed with a cutting tool designed to either cut to a fixed depth and there are also some that are adjustable depth. All of these cutting tools can be driven on a powered hand tool if you like. So the bottom line is that a drill press is great for some things, but isn't really necessary and easy to bypass as a reloader.

 

[DavidAR10]

A Mighty Fine Primer Pocket Swage... Hell, it's SUPER

Best Primer Pocket Tool

Do The Right Thang To That Flash Hole

Best to you.

 

[x_789]

All good info above. It can all be done with hand tools regardless of what your talking about. A Lyman case prep multi tool is less than $30 and will do reaming and cleaning. Lyman primer pocket tools are less than $20.

Drill press would be for large qty of brass to speed up prep but not nessecary. A multi prep station would also probably be faster.

 

[Sieg]

4V Cordless 1/4 in. Screwdriver with Integrated Flashlight Kit with 4 Insert Bits and Wall Charger

Amazing deals on this 4V 1/4In Cordless Screwdriver Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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Just need to make an adapter for the screwdriver, I TIG welded three 8-32 nuts together an put them in a magnetic nut driver bit shimmed with an aluminum can to secure the nuts. You can probably find an 8-32 coupler nut and shim it in the driver.

 

[Freedomaintfree]

Ok, thanks. All good info.

I am wet tumbling with a Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler, steel media, dawn and lemi shine. That and depriming all my brass is the only step I have done.

 

[Bender830]

I would just run without doing anything to the primer pockets and see if its worth your time and expense first.

Removing crimped primers is one thing thats necessary from a functional perspective but its more towards the minimal benefits to pursue at the end of your search for accuracy than something that will make a big difference for a beginner.

 

[Hobo_Steve]

I’ve uniformed in the past but not much anymore. Takes way too much time for the small return for what I do. May change my tune if I ever got into Benchrest. I do debur the flash hole and did switch to wet tumbling, does a great job of cleaning the pocket and brass comes out looking like new all in one step!

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

If you are wet/stainless tumbling you most likely wont need to prep your primer pocket much if any. it cleans them pretty good.

Otherwise the small handheld tools work for small batches.

Lyman makes several kits with nice handles.

If your doing large batches or dont find working with small handheld tools comfortable look into the powered models.