I recently purchased the hornady lock n load progressive press. I watched several videos and did quite a bit of research before purchasing this kit. It seems like the best combination of accuracy/speed. I failed to realise that to clean out the primer pocket it kinda defeats the progressive set up a bit. For shooting out to 300 yards with a factory remington 700 in 308 would not cleaning out the primer pocket be a bad idea? Seems like it may be a dumb question but even the hornady video that came with it does not mention cleaning out the primer pocket. Also. any other similar issues or scenereos that i may not have considered being new to reloading and starting with a progressive unit? Thanks, Nick.
How critical is cleaning out the primer pocket?
- Thread starter chevytruck_83
- Start date
Nick: I've been using the Dewey Crocagator primer pocket cleaner ( about $7.00 from Sinclair), and when I see the pile of crap on the workbench after cleaning as few as 20 cases, I believe in taking the time to clean them. Seems that at the least as this dirt builds up around the outer edges, it is likely to prevent the primers from fully seating. Time required is minimal, so to me, no big deal.
I would say that cleaning the primer pockets may not have an effect on accuracy but that build-up could certainly lead to some high primers in your cases. This is never a good thing.
Clean the pockets by whatever method you choose and keep the primers seated below the level of the case head.
What Jerry says and what Jerry does, may be two different things!
Bob
Clean the pockets by whatever method you choose and keep the primers seated below the level of the case head.
What Jerry says and what Jerry does, may be two different things!
Bob
As long as the primers are seated deep enough you can probably get by with out it on a bolt but if you ever pick up something like a garand you'll want to keep them clean to help prevent high primers.
You could always run your cases through a lee universal deprimer and clean them out before running through your progressive press.
You could always run your cases through a lee universal deprimer and clean them out before running through your progressive press.
The phrase "makes no difference" can mean a lot of things. Does anyone have any data, say twenty shots over a chrono, with the same loads, etc, with the only difference being whether the pockets were cleaned or not?
Otherwise, it's all speculation- "makes no difference" is a lot different for a plinker compared to a BR shooter.
Otherwise, it's all speculation- "makes no difference" is a lot different for a plinker compared to a BR shooter.
chevytruck_83 said:
If you're a hunter, a progressive press is fine. If you're a die hard "B"enchrest competitor, you're not going to find the precision you'll want. Having said that, Harrell's offers a mini progressive/turret press, although I've rarely seen them at matches: http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=205&rn=381&action=show_detail .
Consistency, consistency, and consistency is the name of the game when it comes to reloading. Seating each primer flush with the bottom of the primer pocket is just another step that adds to consistency. Get one of these, properly sized to your cartridge, chuck it in a drill, and use it for initial primer pocket uniforming and then each time you reload for primer pocket cleaning: http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=34720/Product/Sinclair_Primer_Pocket_Uniformers . You don't need the handle, unless you like doing it the hard way.
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
I believe Outdoorsman hit the nail on the head. It's all about "CONSISTENCY" when you shoot for accuracy. If you don't clean primer pockets, how do you know you primers are all set at the same depth? Thats a crap shoot to me. I do not compete, but have become an accuracy freak along with some of my shooting buddies. And I seriously doubt you are gonna change anybody's mind once they've done their own testing on cleaning or not cleaning primer pockets. And BTW, that Harrel Mimi press is a nice touch, expecially if you use Expander Dies with Mandrels, etc. Handy tool to have!
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
Once I use a uniformer tool it becomes the primer pocket cleaning tool. It only takes a second chucked in a drill to clean the cases this way.If anything is left behind I leave it that way.I always check to make sure the primers are seating correctly using a lee hand priming unit and I have a dillon.I just skip priming on the press.
I don't clean primer pockets anymore. Just a waste of time. Uniforming the pockets is a good idea - particularly if one plans to use military spec brass, such as Lake City, etc. I tumble my brass (just to remove any dirt from damaging my dies) and figure that removes any major debris in the primer pocket.
My advice? Don't worry about it and just go shoot.
Jason
My advice? Don't worry about it and just go shoot.
Jason
I also use the Sinclair primer pocket uniformer chucked in my drill, does a fantastic job on new brass, and I use it as well to clean primer pockets on fired brass after tumbling. Much easier and faster 2nd time around. Don't know if it helps or not but as has been said already, it gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. ;D
Frank
Frank
It's great to see some actual data, rather than opinions and old wive's tales. While the ES were about the same, what was the SD, since the latter would show how tightly clustered the group velocities? A lower SD would show more consistent ammo in other group, but still a great experiment and good data!
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Hombre,
Thx for taking the time to post your tests. Bottom line for me on this issue, is that there must be a reason why the guys and gals who win in serious competitions clean their Primer Pockets. I think its called CONSISTENCY. I haven't seen any winners say they don't clean them. But like I said before, I doubt we'll change any minds. Each to his or her own. But thx H for the effort nonetheless!
Thx for taking the time to post your tests. Bottom line for me on this issue, is that there must be a reason why the guys and gals who win in serious competitions clean their Primer Pockets. I think its called CONSISTENCY. I haven't seen any winners say they don't clean them. But like I said before, I doubt we'll change any minds. Each to his or her own. But thx H for the effort nonetheless!
Thanks a lot. didn't really think i'd get much more then just opinions. Actual testing and chrono numbers... I feel like i owe someone now. 
I'm by no means good enough to shoot competition nor is my gun anything more then your average rem 700. I bought the press so i can afford to go to the range and get the amount of rounds down range i would like. So maybe i'll try without cleaning them for now and clean as my ability improves. Is there a primer removal tool that doesn't require a press? I woul def consider getting it if there is.
I'm by no means good enough to shoot competition nor is my gun anything more then your average rem 700. I bought the press so i can afford to go to the range and get the amount of rounds down range i would like. So maybe i'll try without cleaning them for now and clean as my ability improves. Is there a primer removal tool that doesn't require a press? I woul def consider getting it if there is.Viperdoc: I calculated the SD for the primer pocket tests that Hombre did. In both tests, the SD is smaller by .5 SD for the dirty pockets.
Hombre0321 said:
Thanks for sharing your results Roland. They confirm what most of us have observed, yet never backed up with hard numbers. My job doesn't allow me ample time to spend reloading, much less shooting, so I try to cut out the irrelevant. I focus more on ensuring concentricity.
Jaso
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