Loose primer pockets

[cowboybart]

Any way of tightening them up? Posts from 8-14 years ago suggested Hart's tool. Can't find it for sale anywhere, but it didn't seem to be built very durable.

 

[358WCF]

How loose is loose?

I've read about using a ball bearing & hammer, but never tried it.

I've noticed some older nickle plated primers in the closet fit a big snugger than the newer unplated variety.

If you can find some Ginex LR primers they may get you another firing or 2. At least the lot I bought in 2020 is large.

 

[DHuffman]

I bought some used Dasher brass years ago.
Seller claimed he go/no go them to cull out any loose ones.

They were tight but everyone seated like a pearl snap on a shirt. I suspect they were tightened with a tool of this sort. I went ahead and shot them one time and tossed them in the junk brass bucket.

 

[rijndael]

I have a primer pocket go/no-go tool; it's useful for culling out the wrong depth pockets, not necessarily in width. I found it difficult to use for width.

 

[rdb8847]

Would pin gauges work for measuring diameter?

 

[rijndael]

I'm not sure. I'm half surprised someone hasn't made a $900 tool to do this in some better/complicated way ... just so people can throw ridiculous money at some other trinket.

I just pay attention during seating. When it starts to feel loose I mark it with a sharpie and cull it after firing.

 

[jackieschmidt]

If I “culled” every piece of 6PPC brass that had loose primer pockets, I wouldn’t have any left.

It is something you learn to live with in Short Range Group.

Loose primer pockets do not seem to affect the agging capability Of the rifle.

 

[rijndael]

For me, loose pockets is not far from gas leaks and etched bolt faces. But I don't do BR.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I did have a bunch of cases with loose pockets - and was awaiting some new brass - so loaded up with some oversize Russian primers for one last hurrah, before junking the cases. I think that I had a couple more reloads from them.

 

[jackieschmidt]

For me, loose pockets is not far from gas leaks and etched bolt faces. But I don't do BR.

It’s part of life in Short Range Benchrest.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Any way of tightening them up? Posts from 8-14 years ago suggested Hart's tool. Can't find it for sale anywhere, but it didn't seem to be built very durable.

Not really. As mentioned, you could look for primers that have a slightly larger than normal diameter and than can work just fine for awhile.

I use a swage gage that acts like a go no-go gage and if its larger diameter fits, I simply toss the case. Interestingly, when the primer pocket measures as acceptable with the gage, primer can still seat rather easily to where one might consider it "loose". I don't really care, as long as they don't fall out or result in any gas leak.

 

[17cal Fan]

I have used the ball bearing trick on some 224 Valkyrie brass. Seemed to work just fine.

 

[Darkside]

Pending on what cartridge, when pockets seem loose. I have been using GINEX LR
Primers 5,5/3-N. And get 2 or 3 more loading. They seem to be Very Consistent.
If they weren't so oversized, I would use them a lot more.

 

[ar15Jeff]

I use a RCBS primer pocket swager combo die set used to get the crimps out of military brass. Use the large rifle swager on your enlarged small rifle brass. Takes a little fiddling around to get the right amount, but it works. If you get it too small, just use the small rifle swager it will be about perfect. I tried it and it worked, just don’t know how long it will last. In the process of making a shell holder/swager for large rifle primers. Saw this first on youtube

 

[Ned Ludd]

Buying new brass is the only certain remedy for loose primer pockets. Come on people...I appreciate not wasting money as much as anyone, but continuing to use brass that has worn out primer pockets is ludicrous. Brass is an expendable reloading component.

 

[ar15Jeff]

Yes, but its like getting rid of your perfectly fitting old worn out boots. If a little bit of shoe-goo will keep them going, well thats what you do.

 

[Big Mc]

Any way of tightening them up? Posts from 8-14 years ago suggested Hart's tool. Can't find it for sale anywhere, but it didn't seem to be built very durable.

I have seen the ppc boys use super glue. Tommy Mc

 

[HTSmith]

If I “culled” every piece of 6PPC brass that had loose primer pockets, I wouldn’t have any left.

It is something you learn to live with in Short Range Group.

Loose primer pockets do not seem to affect the agging capability Of the rifle.

Jackie, when do they start cutting your bolt face?

 

[Bamban]

I got bored one day, I chucked up the RCBS military crimp swaging tool and made it into a crimping tool. Used my old trusty Jet 1024

Operation is just like how you use the kit for swaging.

 

[cowboybart]

I have used the ball bearing trick on some 224 Valkyrie brass. Seemed to work just fine.

I'd like to try this, but can't seem to get a good description of it and the tools I need. Is it just a ball bearing slightly bigger than the pocket? Put the case in a shell holder - upside down in a vice and give it a wack??