6mm BR Lapua new brass shallow primer pocket

[carlsbad]

I loaded some new brass and couldn't get the primer to seat flush. Removed the primers, Measured it and found the primer pocket to be about .095" deep on this new brass. Spec is .117" to .123". I'm not sure I feel comfortable deepening the pocket .025". Seems like a manufacturing defect to me. Anybody else come across this? --Jerry

 

[dogdude]

Jerry, I just measured ten from lot #P00449704 they were .122-.123, you should list your lot# so others can compare with your # dogdude

 

[Steve Blair]

This is the ticket. John came up with a real nice tool for uniforming primer pockets. You can set the depth to what you need. [br]
http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Primer_Pocket_Uniformer.php

 

[carlsbad]

I got 2 boxes with a set of competiton dies and a barrel I bought from a guy moving up to 6.5mm. 1/3 of the brass was unfired and 2/3 had been fired multiple times in the barrel. I have about 20 of the previously fired rounds that right now don't have primers in them and they are all right in spec or a little deep at .120 to .125. It is just the new brass that is shallow.

The lot numbers are P00592201 and P00568501. I believe the new brass came from the later lot, but I'm not sure.

I can deepen the pocket easily to be in spec but taking that much brass out just doesn't seem right. Unless someone else has seen the same and knows it is expected, I'm thinking I'll trash the brass and buy 100 new.

Thanks, Jerry

 

[GrocMax]

I'm sure there's some varmint shooters that would be glad to buy it with foreknowledge of the issue, I'd think twice about trashing it.

 

[BoydAllen]

If your brass is Lapua, in the past I have found them very good on customer service. I would go on their website and email them directly. They will probably take good care of you. It is not in their interest for this sort of thing to happen, and I am pretty sure that they will want to do something about your problem. I agree with you, in that I would not be comfortable cutting that much out of primer pockets.

 

[carlsbad]

Good idea to contact Lapua. Looking for replacement brass tonight I was putting Norma in my basket. But i'll give Lapua an opportunity to keep my business.

My concern is more safety than accuracy, even though accuracy might be affected too. So giving it to someone else wouldn't be responsible...

--jerry

 

[gotcha]

Jerry, Don't be so quick to jump to Norma. I got a hundred rounds of their 6br recently that with br-4's fully seated, and then some, protruded .002" to .0025" above case head........ Had to ream them all. The generally accepted primer pocket depth for 6BR is .121" ..... Talked to the folks @ K&M and they said they've never been able to obtain a CIP spec from Lapua or Norma for P/P depth. So they use the SAAMI spec for small rifle. If you have to buy a P/P reamer get the K&M. I had to return two of Sinclair's house reamers. Neither one worked.

 

[stool]

my sinclair pocket reamers work just fine...
your mileage may vary..

I had to return two of Sinclair's house reamers. Neither one worked.

 

[gotcha]

Stool, Both of the reamers Sinclair sent me were milled flat on the cutting edge. I couldn't get the case head to make contact with the face of the cutter no matter how hard I pushed. The reamer was only smearing the brass at the bottom of the P/P. I'm glad yours is working well. Sinclair replaced the 1st cutter but, evidently no one there checked to verify their tools were out of spec. Just a heads up for those that might be considering buying one of their current production reamers............ I've done business w/ Sinclair for years. This is just one of several problems I've had with Sinclair products lately. Maybe an omen of what's coming in the future. Have a nice day

 

[carlsbad]

Thanks.

I sent a note to Lapua asking for direction on reaming up to .025" out of a primer pocket. I'm afraid of structural weakness.

So norma isn't perfect either.

Seems like Sammi for small rifle should be the right spec since they all use the same primer. That is what I was quoting.

--Jerry

 

[BoydAllen]

I measured a Federal small rifle primer and it was thicker than your pockets are deep. You don't need directions as to the advisability of cutting them, you deserve to have them replaced as defective, and I am pretty sure that they will. The primer pockets of my Lapua .220 Russian cases do not require that I do anything to them for primers to be seated properly below flush. I just pulled one out of a full box that I have had for some time, and it measures .122 in the center of the pocket, with the back end of a caliper that had been checked for zero in at that point.

 

[artbosco]

Keep it simple. Ive used this on 6mmBR Lapua brass for years: http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/case-preparation/primer-pocket-tools/handles/sinclair-primer-pocket-uniformers-prod34720.aspx Chuck the carbide uniformer in a portable drill. It'll last forever.

 

[LRPV]

I have 300 pieces of P00592201 in service and one new box left so I measured one of the new ones. Pocket around the outside edge measured .120 and after running the K and M uniformer by hand they measured .125 and the only part of the pocket that the uniformer touched was the very outside. I am also using a box of or two of the other lot number you mentioned and have not had any problems with them either.

 

[carlsbad]

LPRV,
That's what I would expect. I'm pretty sure my shallow pockets are from the 2nd lot listed. No word back from Lapua yet. thanks, Jerry