What do you consider "too loose" on primer pockets
- Thread starter tsonda
- Start date
If you can press the primer in with your finger nail, that's too loose!
RMD
RMD
I thought that I had some pockets that were maybe too loose, Im still using them several reloading sessions later. I always thought that the saying "reload them until they wont hold primers"was a bit optimistic but Im coming around to it. Some of them I barely have to squeeze on the lee priming tool but when trying to deprime with a manual punch they are still pretty snug. So the leverage to insert them also plays into the equation of what "feels" loose.
The no go gauge mentioned above is a decent tool if you want an absolute benchmark to use. Im finding myself caring less.
The no go gauge mentioned above is a decent tool if you want an absolute benchmark to use. Im finding myself caring less.
When it gets to that point (between 18-25 firings) if the primer seats and stays in the pocket when shaken I'll shoot it. BANG! If it falls out I retrieve the unspent primer and toss that case. But, I have to say that I almost only shoot Lapua brass, and while I generally cycle 500 cases in rotation (enough for two matches in a row) the pockets are all gona give out within a firing or three. When the first one goes I can accurately guess that about half are going to be no good, and I may as well toss all of them after the next firing rather that get 1/3 of them loaded again, which is now not enough for a single major match.
I expect my cases to last two seasons and eat through two barrels at least. If I'm on my third barrel it's time to buy new brass (which can be as expensive as a barrel).
However, I spend more on bullets than anything, and I go MK, so about $130 for 500.
I expect my cases to last two seasons and eat through two barrels at least. If I'm on my third barrel it's time to buy new brass (which can be as expensive as a barrel).
However, I spend more on bullets than anything, and I go MK, so about $130 for 500.
When I seat a primer and it feels really loose I'll check it by using a handheld universal decapping die. I push on the die with one hand and the brass with the other. If I can push the primer out of the case without using a press then the brass gets tossed.
I thought you liked having your brass pulled and your die pushed?
Same here. Nothing worse than having your AR jam in the middle of a coyote mow-down session becasuse a primer is lodged somewhere in the receiver.
Toss that salad, er, I mean brass.
Catholic Bishop SOP #1433 clarifies this: Primer pockets must be as tight as a choirboy's bunghole.
So glad I grew up in a baptist church.
You cheap old bastards 
if I try to seat a primer and it seats without significant pressure the case is done.
if I try to seat a primer and it seats without significant pressure the case is done.Similar threads
