.223 09 lc brass crimp?

[sbrabec]

Hey all
Just bought 1000 09 LC .223 brass that was advertised as NO crimp (brass has no crimped primers. This brass started off life as Federal 55gr FMJs (XM193H), or Federal 55gr JSP (T223A) ammo) <-- that was the ad if that helps. To my question: I've never dealt with crimped brass but I've managed to destroy about 10 primers (fed 205m) and cases out of about 150 when trying to prime them (using Lee auto prime).... are they crimped? Never had a problem priming any other brass. They seem to decap normal.
Thanks
Scott

 

[fdshuster]

Scott: Don't feel bad, the primer pockets may require some "work" even though the brass was advertised as 'No crimp". Look at the top edge of the primer pocket, under magnification and you may see a sharp 90 degree angle. If the brass has the sharp edge you will have to cut a 45 degree entry at the top edge. You may be able to use the RCBS,Lyman, Redding type case mouth be-burring tool to break the sharp corner. I use the cutter on my Forster case trimmer and sometimes also use the de-burring tool. I even have to do this with my Lapua 220 Russian brass when reforming to 6ppc, as it also has a sharp 90 degree corner that will prevent smooth primer seating. Just a very light cut is all it would take.

 

[infantrytrophy]

Frank Shuster is right. Sometimes those who sell the once-fired brass don't notice that there is a crimp that is difficult to see. I had the same issue but finally figured out several relatively painless ways to deal with it.

Some people swear by a Dillon primer pocket swager, but that tool is expensive.

Both of these tools below work. You can chuck them in a low-speed drill:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=629035
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=501588
The Forster tool will mount into a Forster trimmer. This will allow you to set the case up in the trimmer so that the case is aligned perfectly. Nice, but not required.

Instead of buying a dedicated tool, an alternative is to buy tools that have other uses. You can use a Forster case mouth chamfering tool along with its base:
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=1&categoryId=8936&categoryString=9315***731***695***&brandId=1100
Then you can get a power screwdriver/drill adapter to use with the chamfering tool base to speed up the process.

You will probably just have to "touch" the cutting edge of the tool to the crimp; you don't have to remove much. The idea is to make just enough of a 45 degree chamfer at the primer pocket edge so that your primers will seat easily.

Randy

 

[lightman]

I use a 45 degree countersink chucked up in a cordless drill.It does the same thing as the deburring tool,only it was cheaper,about 5$ or so.Everyone else is right,it does not take very much. Lightman

 

[mj2evans]

Buy the Dillon swager and process all your brass - trust me, the Dillon tool is the way to go if you have more than 30 cases. I *really* don't like the idea of removing brass - the Dillon is easy, fast and you could resell it later if you don't think you will need it again. I process a lot of military brass and would stop TODAY if the Dillon tool was not available.

 

[mtbullet]

ditto on the DILLON, works very well, and fast. I have to "touch up" new brass when I use WOLF primers anyway, so just do all new brass with the dillin.

 

[people]

RCBS also makes a swedging tool. I have used both the RCBS and the Dillion the dillion is much more expensive but the dillion is a much better product.