A non-reloading buddy gave me some once fired brass, in the process of case prep I discovered some with large flash holes. An 1/8" drill bit drops thru, compared to ~5/64" for a normal sized flash hole. Any idea why these flash holes are so large? Are they OK to reload with standard WLP primers? I probably won't use them anyway as I have an ample supply of "normal" brass.
45ACP Large Flash Hole
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ole farmerbuck
Member
That large hole doesnt look very round.
travisd
Member
I have at least 300 win .45s and none of them look like that. None of my other head stamps are that big either
clutch
Contributing Member
Was that from "winclean" ammo? Betting so. I'd segregate it or recycle it.
Kp321
Member
Winchester increased the size of the flash hole when they went to their lead free primers. Seems like the primers were hotter and wanted to back out so the flash hole size was increased to compensate. I can see no difference in performance or accuracy when they are mixed into a batch of brass.
If you are dead set on getting rid of them, send them to me and I will "recycle" them for you. (After 15 loadings)
If you are dead set on getting rid of them, send them to me and I will "recycle" them for you. (After 15 loadings)
I found a few of these a few months ago. Out of curiosity I loaded them up with some with normal size flash holes and then chronoed them at the same time. I did see a slight increase in velocity with the larger flash hole. About 25 fps. This was with a mild load (172PF) so I can't say what might happen at a higher charge.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Those look modified and a hole that large will change the performance of the primer. I would put them aside and probably not load them.
As for them being WinClean rounds, I highly doubt it. That brass usually has a primer pocket that holds a SPP instead of a LPP and nothing to do with such a large flash hole.
As for them being WinClean rounds, I highly doubt it. That brass usually has a primer pocket that holds a SPP instead of a LPP and nothing to do with such a large flash hole.
JRH6856
Member
There are rubber and plastic bullets sold for indoor target shooting that use a primer only as a propellant. The usual recommendation is to drill a larger flash hole in cases to be used with these bullets. This may be such a case.
I use Blazer aluminum cases for this so I don't get them mixed up.
I use Blazer aluminum cases for this so I don't get them mixed up.
Jesse Heywood
Member
If the hole is .140 diameter it was probably used for blanks or dumdums as JRH6856 described. I have used many of these in 45 cal revolver rounds at reduced loads.
ReloaderFred
Member
Kp321 has the correct answer.
The flash hole was increased in size when Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP) priming compound was first introduced. Due to the higher brisance of the DDNP mixture, the enlarged flash holes were tried in an effort to relieve the pressure faster in the primer pocket. The second attempt was crimping the primers in place, and the third, and hopefully final, solution was going to the small pistol primer in the .45 acp case.
Loading those rounds will cause no problems, and they will shoot just like the others. They worked once, and they'll work again. I don't bother to segregate them anymore.
Hope this helps.
Fred
The flash hole was increased in size when Diazodinitrophenol (DDNP) priming compound was first introduced. Due to the higher brisance of the DDNP mixture, the enlarged flash holes were tried in an effort to relieve the pressure faster in the primer pocket. The second attempt was crimping the primers in place, and the third, and hopefully final, solution was going to the small pistol primer in the .45 acp case.
Loading those rounds will cause no problems, and they will shoot just like the others. They worked once, and they'll work again. I don't bother to segregate them anymore.
Hope this helps.
Fred
tbob38
Member
I have some that I drilled out years ago, to use Speer plastic indoor practice rounds. They look just like these.
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