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Prolonging Brass primer pocket life

6mmBCC6mmBCC Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
edited April 2015 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
Having reloaded and manufactured many custom rounds, I use different primers to prolong the life of primer pockets. I start by using the smallest diameter primer that fits snug in the pockets. As the pockets loosen up I switch to a larger diameter primer. As an example for large primers I use rem 9 1/2 to start with then switch to a larger diameter primer as the pockets loosen up. Their are many charts available on primer dimensions both large ans small.
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Comments

  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,649
    edited November -1
    OK....

    Most of my loads are primer dependent. No desire to switch primers. At the time that the brass hsa expanded that much that primers won't hold, I figure good enough, the case is at the end of its life.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member, Moderator Posts: 9,971 ******
    edited November -1
    just how do you 'wear' out a primer pocket??, I've loaded some cases 20 times and they are still nice and tight. Overloading is a horse of a different color tho.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    If I had to guess I'd say some of my .45 colt black powder brass has been fired 200 times.

    Even for high power rifle, I crack a case neck LONG before the primer pocket gets loose.

    If you are seeing loose pockets you are running at very very high pressure. Simple as that.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,390 ✭
    edited November -1
    IMHO only ammo that is loaded so HOT as to be a danger to shooter and firearm will cause a primer pocket to become enlarged . I have loaded some cases over 50 time where the Head stamp is hard to read but primer pockets were still tight.
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  • reload999reload999 Member Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Been reloading for nearly 30 years, and have never "worn out" a primer pocket.
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  • 6mmBCC6mmBCC Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Okay okay,, You brow beat me good on this.. First of all I never develop a load without chronographing the load and mic'ing the brass. I load only rifle cartridges. Take a scenario.. 220 swift develop a load using H414 staying at moderate velocity and achieved best accuracy. Then you load up 400 rounds and head out varmint hunting. One of my customers fortunately he used a 9 1/2 primer. He developed the load at 65 degrees. All was fine til he shot at 90 degrees. Never noticed while firing any problems although there was. Noticed when he started to reload loose primer pockets and was going to throw out the brass using a 9 1/2 primer. saved the brass with a larger diameter primer...and loading with lower charge. My mistake I should have used the term enlarged primer pockets..
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  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think I have worn out some primer pockets at 100 or there about loading in 45-70. Sooner or later cases fail for some reason.
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  • FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How to tighten primer pockets >>> http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/tighten-primer-pockets-heres-how-152361/
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  • 243winxb243winxb Member Posts: 264 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When pockets get loose, its time for new brass, not a different primer. IMO. [:)] You do not want gas leaking between the primer and pocket. See bolt on left from defective primer. A gas leak will look about the same. 3RingsOfSteel.jpg
    [url] https://saami.org [/url]
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  • MG1890MG1890 Member Posts: 4,649
    edited November -1
    243, what are the comparison pics trying to convey?
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Etching on bolt face from gas cutting, resulting from leakage between primer and pocket.
    This is more pronounced on rifles and pistols shooting corrosive ammunition.
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