OLD TIMERS TRICK!!

[usaral63]

If one is getting gas cutting on a bolt face with a plunger type ejector they'd be well advised to closely check that ejector and spring..........Had an experience with an '06 BAR that was a loose primer pocket victim......that gas cut the ejector to inoperability and cost me a really good deer.

Better still, get RID of those loose pocket cases when you first discover 'em!

 

[Jack Ryan]

Old timers didn't use nail polish to "hold the primer in". It was thought to water proof / moisture proof it and it was put on after they were already primed at least and most likely after the shell was fully loaded.

If you've got one or two with loose pockets you should have found them when you primed it. If it is one or two throw them out. If it is a hundred, try some Fiochi primers.

 

[AJC1]

JMHO- this is one of the reasons I quit
trying to use used brass.
Until you invest irreplaceable time in
it, you won't know if it's any good or not

Just deprime, remove crimp and test with primer pocket guage. If you shoot a lot of 223 you do the minimum work first to verify good.

 

[doubleh]

When a case won't hold a primer it should go in the container to go to the recycler or the trash. This old timer has never glued a primer in and doesn't intend to. New brass isn't that expensive. Nail polish is my choice for holding small screws in place. Other than that it stays in the bottle.

 

[twarr1]

the primer backs out to the bolt face, then the case stretches to the bolt face, stuffing the primer back in the pocket.

According to Finite Element Analysis this is the way it works in the real world. The primer only seals because it’s held axially by the bolt face and radially by the case head.

 

[FROGO207]

In the long ago past I would save lots of questionable brass because that was all I had. There were many rifle rounds that would only be able to be used once due to folded neck from being crushed and being reformed. I understood the consequences for using that brass would be a split neck but it would put meat in the freezer. The same for loose primer pockets and the like. Today I am spoiled as I have all the brass I could ever use for all firearms I reload. Still it goes against my core principals to recycle a piece of brass because it is not the best for the job but will merely work as designed and not be up to certain standards. Oh well!

 

[45 long]

Driving in primers with a mallet?

Sure, a mallet & a nail punch. What could go wrong ?????

 

[thegatman]

Driving in primers with a mallet?

Use a small steel mallet. Works once.

 

[TimRB]

I bought one of these things:

https://ballistictools.com/store/small-and-large-primer-pocket-gauges

It will check to see if a military crimp is adequately removed and also if the primer pocket is tight enough to hold a primer. Very useful and makes judging the quality of primer pockets less subjective.

Tim

 

[Poper]

I bought one of these things:

https://ballistictools.com/store/small-and-large-primer-pocket-gauges

It will check to see if a military crimp is adequately removed and also if the primer pocket is tight enough to hold a primer. Very useful and makes judging the quality of primer pockets less subjective.

Tim

Thank you for the link! I have been guilty of "just one more load in this case", even though the primer seated too easily, more than once.
This tool appears to be just the thing to be SURE about a primer pocket. Ordered me one to take the guess work out of it.

 

[FROGO207]

I made a tool out of an old ice pick I found at a yard sale. Just ground the shaft small enough to fit into a primer hole for about 1/2 inch. If I can push the primer out by hand that brass is done. If the primer goes in easily but passes the test I paint the end of the brass with a red magic marker. My do not reload again note.

 

[TimRB]

If I can push the primer out by hand that brass is done.

Well, duh! Seems so obvious--great idea! And virtually free, too.

Tim

 

[CWTISME]

I bought one of these things:

https://ballistictools.com/store/small-and-large-primer-pocket-gauges

It will check to see if a military crimp is adequately removed and also if the primer pocket is tight enough to hold a primer. Very useful and makes judging the quality of primer pockets less subjective.

Tim

I use these all the time on my Rifle Brass. Mostly to see if I need to swage the primer pocket on once fired military brass but the other end will tell you if the pocket is too large. Cheap insurance OP. you can get them single at Midway.

 

[CWTISME]

I use these all the time on my Rifle Brass. Mostly to see if I need to swage the primer pocket on once fired military brass but the other end will tell you if the pocket is too large. Cheap insurance OP. you can get them single at Midway.

I take that back Midsouth : https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/search?SearchTerm=Ballistic+Tools

 

[Poper]

I take that back Midsouth : https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/search?SearchTerm=Ballistic+Tools

When they are in stock, maybe.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

Driving in primers with a mallet?

Mallets to bouncy, I use a small brass hammer...

 

[Otto]

One way to "fix" a loose primer pocket is with a tool called the Hart Case Saver Swage.
These were more common in years past. This isn't an endorsement but it beats using your wife's nail polish. My favorite tool for out-of-spec pockets is called the dumpster.

 

[CWTISME]

Mallets to bouncy, I use a small brass hammer...

when is anything in stock these days LOL

 

[CWTISME]

One way to "fix" a loose primer pocket is with a tool called the Hart Case Saver Swage.
These were more common in years past. This isn't an endorsement but it beats using your wife's nail polish. My favorite tool for out-of-spec pockets is called the dumpster.

I think I would just get new Brass unless it was the Zombie Apocalypse. It is one thing to check it and another to try and fix it. That brass to make the "Ring" has to come from somewhere. I feel you are asking for a head separation. Depending on the cartridge you can get 5-8 loading's from a cartridge, safely. Rifle cartridges . Straight wall pistol cartridges I shoot till the primer pockets are loose. Then away they go. I really don't keep track of those, Still if there is any question I check them with a gauge understanding there is a difference between Large Rifle and Large pistol. Attachment is from SAAMI

 

[higgite]

One way to "fix" a loose primer pocket is with a tool called the Hart Case Saver Swage.
These were more common in years past. This isn't an endorsement but it beats using your wife's nail polish. My favorite tool for out-of-spec pockets is called the dumpster.

I pray that I'm never that hard up for brass.

 

[Poper]

My favorite tool for out-of-spec pockets is called the dumpster.

Yes.
Or the recyle bucket.

 

[Highland Lofts]

Pounding a primer in is the last thing I'd want to do.