Problems with CCI primers

[rperyam]

I found a box of 5000 CCI large pistol primers while looking for something else in my garage. I normally use Winchester primers while reloading on my Dillon Square Deal. I started with some Winchester brass but could not seat the primers fully in most attempts. I then tried some Speer, Federal and finally some S&B brass. 8 out of 10 were not fully seated.

I don't remember these problems using CCI primers on 9 mm. Is this typical? Any suggestions others than selling or trading these primers? Thanks.

 

[sequins]

Are they large pistol or large rifle?

 

[rperyam]

They are large pistol primers

 

[edwardware]

Presuming you've identified the primers (they aren't rifle primers). . . this is a press setup issue. Primers vary in seating force between brands, and setups will vary as a result.

Occasionally a fresh batch of brass will be so tight on CCI primers that I swap brands, but only rarely. I think you aren't seating hard enough.

 

[AK Hunter]

Primer seating problems is usually caused by crimp primer pockets. Have you checked the pockets in the brass you are priming?
I have found CCI primers to be tight fitting, maybe you need a little more push.

 

[jimbo4]

You said 9mm they should be small pistol primers.

 

[dh1633pm]

Could it be that the primers are SP?

 

[243winxb]

Common for some lots of CCI to run on the larger size. Seat on a single stage press with a Ram Prime Unit. I use RCBS.

 

[mdi]

The little time I've been reloading I've found 95% of priming problems are operator error. I've had very few "bad" primers, but the "problems" I have had were with Winchester (I had to "sensitize" Winchester SP primers in 9mm or I'd get occasional failures to fire).

BTW; Large rifle primers are .008" taller than large pistol primers and will usually not seat below flush. I experimented with seating large rifle primers in 45 ACP brass and when fully seated, some were a few thousandths proud and many just flush...

 

[Laphroaig]

I load on a 550 not a Square Deal, but I find the priming system to be the weak link in that press, and probably the SD too. My guess is that the CCI's are a little wider than the WLP's and require more force to seat properly. I always check my loads and usually have to reseat a couple deeper but not the percentage that you describe. Try a little more force from the get-go and have a safe secondary system ready.

 

[Charlie98]

I run into that problem seating CCI LP primers in my .41MAG brass... just that combo, nothing else. I load them on a progressive, but I have to take each round and smash the primer in with my hand primer.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I didn't know you could get 9mm brass with large primers. All mine take SPP.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I didn't know you could get 9mm brass with large primers. All mine take SPP.

I think he was implying that he hasn't had issues with CCI primers when he loaded 9mm....His issues are with CCI primers in whatever large format he is now loading...

 

[anothernewb]

Somewhat related but I was having a large number of similar issues with 45acp. Every time I had a primer seat badly or not fully seat - It was always some winchester brass that had the issues. I did notice that the edges of the CCI primers weren't as "smooth" as the other brands I had on the shelf, the cups were ever so slightly flared at the mouth. I think it was simply a combination of that flare and the really squared off edge (and very tight pocket overall) of those winchester brass was doing me in.

The solution wasn't a whole lot of fun, but I ended up headstamp sorting most of a 5 gallon bucket of 45 brass, and running all the winchester though a dillon super swage just enough to round over the edge of the primer pockets. Zero problems since. I could have likely used a deburring tool to cut a slight chamfer as well, but I didn't like the idea of grinding away on the brass. I had the dillon anyway, and at least in theory, the process should be more uniform that way.

 

[Zendude]

Most of my 9mm primer seating issues recently (with CCI SPP) are with GFC headstamp brass. I believe this is Fiocchi brass.

 

[deadeye dick]

Somewhat related but I was having a large number of similar issues with 45acp. Every time I had a primer seat badly or not fully seat - It was always some winchester brass that had the issues. I did notice that the edges of the CCI primers weren't as "smooth" as the other brands I had on the shelf, the cups were ever so slightly flared at the mouth. I think it was simply a combination of that flare and the really squared off edge (and very tight pocket overall) of those winchester brass was doing me in.

The solution wasn't a whole lot of fun, but I ended up headstamp sorting most of a 5 gallon bucket of 45 brass, and running all the winchester though a dillon super swage just enough to round over the edge of the primer pockets. Zero problems since. I could have likely used a deburring tool to cut a slight chamfer as well, but I didn't like the idea of grinding away on the brass. I had the dillon anyway, and at least in theory, the process should be more uniform that way.

Iv'e had this problem with Wolf LP in .45 ACP I put them aside till i run out of any other primers, than i use a pocket uniformer

 

[Lennyjoe]

Guys, the OP didn’t mention what caliber he’s loading and only made reference to past experience using CCI with 9MM. If he’s using Large Pistol primers I think we can rule out 9MM…

He’s also tried different brass so that may rule out the crimped primer pockets.

OP, what caliber are you loading and have you checked your primer seating set up to make sure it’s adjusted properly? Maybe try a couple with a hand primer to possibly rule out your primer seating set up just to be sure.

 

[Reloadron]

The dimensions (tolerances) for primers, all primers are published data as are the dimensions for primer pockets.



Primers and primer pockets are measured close enough with a set of vernier calipers. Knowing primer diameter and height should give a good indication of how well the fit will be and how much below case head a primer will seat when the bottom out in the pocket. I also like the Ballistic Tools Small and Large Primer Pocket Swage Gage ® Set which for a little over twenty bucks is a good deal.

Ron

 

[rperyam]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I should have been more clear with my initial information. I am loading. 45 ACP ammo with CCI Large Pistol Primers. The reference to 9mm was that I don't have this problem with CCI Small Pistol Primers. I normally sit while reloading all calibers but have been forced to stand when reloading these LPP from CCI. I am using all of my force to gently seat these primers. In switching different brands of cases I have started to have better luck with Speer cases. I only have to reseat 2 or 3 out of every 10 to 12 attempts using the SD. In checking I don't have any crimped primer pockets, some are tighter than others so I'll stick with Speer while using these primers.

I now remember why these were stuck so far back on the shelf. I remember I had issues last time I used CCI, now I remember what the issue was. I'm sticking with Winchester primers from now on.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I now remember why these were stuck so far back on the shelf. I remember I had issues last time I used CCI, now I remember what the issue was. I'm sticking with Winchester primers from now on.

I think you may have an odd brick of primers. I haven't had any problems with CCI primers in mixed brass. Some head stamps are a little more snug, but they all pressed in properly.
If it were CCI or nothing, no reason not to give them another try.

 

[Charlie98]

I'm sticking with Winchester primers from now on.

Winchester can have their moments, too. I had (have) a bad batch of WLP's that perforated with even mild .45ACP loads.

Page 288...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...e-in-the-reloading-room-today.830858/page-288

Generically speaking, ANY component can have issues... from brass and bullets, to primer and powder. Personally, I think you just got some fat primers... if you load something besides .45ACP, use them there and see how they work out.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I now remember why these were stuck so far back on the shelf. I remember I had issues last time I used CCI, now I remember what the issue was. I'm sticking with Winchester primers from now on.

think you may have an odd brick of primers. I haven't had any problems with CCI primers in mixed brass. Some head stamps are a little more snug, but they all pressed in properly.

if you load something besides .45ACP, use them there and see how they work out.

I would heed what @WeekendReloader and @Charlie98 stated already....
I understand different folks have different problems with things, but out of the BILLIONS of CCI lpp that have been loaded around the country with no issues, I would also :

Try what Charlie stated---different caliber that uses lpp to see if any issues, and
Look a little deeper into your press operation and your loading operation.

 

[ImjinScout85]

This does seem like an annomaly for sure, I have loaded 1000's 45ACP with mixed brass and all I have ever used is CCI LPP. Have you checked the primer plunger on the press? Is it inserted all the way, (not familiar with your press). Hopefully you can get thru this issue with little problems,