Just finished shooting up a couple boxes of 7mm Federal ammo and after cleaning and trimming started priming. Several of the primers went in so loose that they could be pushed out of the primer pocket with a small metal rod and the rest felt like they would hold for one reloading. I am using WLMR primers in this brass and am curious if there is a larger diameter primer available that might fit this brass. Does this brass really stretch this much or does Federal use larger primers in their ammo? Thanks!
Loose (Federal) Primer Pockets
- Thread starter PCCUSNRET
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USSR
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Now you know why once-fired Federal brass is not in demand.
Yes, Federal brass really stretches that much, due to a fewer number of draws when producing the brass. You can try some Wolf primers which are a bit larger in diameter, but the brass is really not suitable for numerous loadings.Don
BsChoy
Member
I know this is something I have read countless times in the years I have been reloading but I have been using the same Federal brass in my 30-06 for roughly 4 years and the primer pockets are just now starting to seem a little loose. I don't load for top velocity just accuracy so that may have something to do with it.
rscalzo
Member
I've found it with their 308 brass. After two uses, the primer pockets feel as though I could seat the primer with my finger.
ranger335v
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It has nothing to do with original primer pocket sizes, it's due to case head expansion. You're running some pretty hot loads there, aren't you Parker?
Federal uses a slightly softer alloy than most other makers. If that's "good" or "bad" depends on what you want. If you want to load hot, Federal's not so good. If you want your cases to last a lot longer and are willing to back off a little, Federal is very good.
Federal uses a slightly softer alloy than most other makers. If that's "good" or "bad" depends on what you want. If you want to load hot, Federal's not so good. If you want your cases to last a lot longer and are willing to back off a little, Federal is very good.
W.E.G.
Member
Federal brass has long had a reputation for loose primer pockets after one firing.
The suggestion to try Wolf primers might be just the ticket for at least one reloading without having to worry about primers falling out.
The suggestion to try Wolf primers might be just the ticket for at least one reloading without having to worry about primers falling out.
Federal primers in general are a slight bit larger than the other brands. Once you use federal primers the others will be looser. I've often extended case life when the primer pockets get too loos to hold Win or CCI primers by switching to Federal. This works exceptionallly well in shotgun shells but if you start with Federal cases they can be a bit loose to begin with if using other primer brands.
R.W.Dale
Member
This is why I love federal .223 brass
Cause of the primer pocket issue nobody picks the stuff up so it's free! But even better it tends to be really short so by the time it needs trimming I'm on the 5th load and it's time to toss it anyhow. Because of this I don't lose any sleep over lost brass either.
I've heard that some fed casings are actually made by Norma which also have a reputation for making soft brass. But if there's any thruth to this rumor I know not.
Cause of the primer pocket issue nobody picks the stuff up so it's free! But even better it tends to be really short so by the time it needs trimming I'm on the 5th load and it's time to toss it anyhow. Because of this I don't lose any sleep over lost brass either.
I've heard that some fed casings are actually made by Norma which also have a reputation for making soft brass. But if there's any thruth to this rumor I know not.
No, these were just out of the box factory loads. I hadn't loaded them once before I noticed the oversized primer pockets. I am going to order some of the Wolf primers and see if I can get at least a couple reloads out of this brass. The only reason I bought this ammo was to get fire formed cases for reloading (it a vicious cycle).
I just recently ordered new Remington 308 brass and I get loose primer pockets after two or three loads. Never had this problem in the last 20 years of loading 308. New, used or, even odd ball brands. My guess, is these companies are using sub-standard metal. Probably from China…
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