Hart primer swage tool

[letronshootit]

I am considering buying one of the Hart primer pocket swage tool for small rifle primer br cases. I would use it in with a primer pocket go/no-go gauge for sorting out enlarged pockets. Does anyone have experience with the Hart tool or know of a better system short of tossing the brass? Thanks...Ron

 

[ebb]

DO NOT waste your time and money on this POS. The metal is not even hardened, The tool is supposed to be struck to reform the primer pocket. What striking tool do you know of that isn't even hardened? RCBS makes a primer pocket tool I have one and couldn't use it cause it is too small for my long cases, a friend uses this tool on 243 sized cases and says it works. There was a good thread on benchrest central about this and most said if you measured the extractor groove on a new case and the ones you want to fix and they measure different you are wasting your time. I cant give you first hand info on any thing except that the Hart tool isn't the answer.

 

[letronshootit]

Well thank you for saving me the money! Ron

 

[Elwood]

My experience differs from ebb, although I agree that the metal is soft, but the concept does work.

In the end the pin that goes through the flash hole bent on mine and we were not able to remove it, even though it had a grub screw holding it in which I presume was so that it could be replaced.

I was also told to use a rubber/hard plastic mallet rather than a metal hammer, the rubber/plastic didn't work but as soon as I switched to the metal one it worked fine. It was also very critical to hit it dead center.

Basically it's a good tool, poorly made.

 

[ebb]

I agree the concept works I just don't think it saves much to pay for it and it wont last any time. I too had the little pin break and couldn't get the broken one out. Then the tip of the tool that goes in the primer pocket flared and became too big to use. I was going to buy a new one and have it hardened but the guy that invented it at Hart wouldn't give out the type of steel it was made from which the company that was going to harden it wanted to do the job.