Lapua .223 pockets too shallow

[precision.riflecraft]

Hi everyone, looking for advice on best to deepen primer pockets. I have a batch of Lapua .223 whose pockets are too shallow.

I noticed my CCI 400s are sitting proud, so I measured the pockets at .119 in depth. My primers are .121 tall, so I need to deepen them by at least .005.

I tried this attachment that came with my Lyman case prep station (I believe it's a uniformer) and unfortunately for the case I tried it on, it just loosened the pocket, removing all this material without any change in depth.

What do you suggest? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Apart from safety, the issue is that it's preventing me from seating my bullets uniformly, as the pockets depths vary and I therefore can't get consistent measurements off the ogives.

 

[Mastershot]

I use these

Carbide Primer Pocket Uniformer | Ensures Precise Primer Pocket Depth & Diameter - RCBS

shop.rcbs.com

 

[precision.riflecraft]

I use these

Carbide Primer Pocket Uniformer | Ensures Precise Primer Pocket Depth & Diameter - RCBS

shop.rcbs.com

Thanks! What does it attach to? Would it thread into my Lyman station or does it require a mini lathe like an RCBS case trimmer?

 

[whatsupdoc]

Send it back to lapua.

 

[Bc'z]

Hi everyone, looking for advice on best to deepen primer pockets. I have a batch of Lapua .223 whose pockets are too shallow.

I noticed my CCI 400s are sitting proud, so I measured the pockets at .119 in depth. My primers are .121 tall, so I need to deepen them by at least .005.

I tried this attachment that came with my Lyman case prep station (I believe it's a uniformer) and unfortunately for the case I tried it on, it just loosened the pocket, removing all this material without any change in depth.

What do you suggest? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Apart from safety, the issue is that it's preventing me from seating my bullets uniformly, as the pockets depths vary and I therefore can't get consistent measurements off the ogives.

View attachment 1624862

Looks like that's for removing crimp from pockets

 

[Walt Krafft]

0.003 crush on a primer is about right. How are you measuring when to stop trying to seat them?

 

[Bill K]

Besides me, poor neck finish, shallow primer holes, etc. is Lapua loosing it's QC in the last year. Seems like I am seeing more posts showing up on issues with Lapua brass.

 

[Conaso]

Hi everyone, looking for advice on best to deepen primer pockets. I have a batch of Lapua .223 whose pockets are too shallow.

I noticed my CCI 400s are sitting proud, so I measured the pockets at .119 in depth. My primers are .121 tall, so I need to deepen them by at least .005.

I tried this attachment that came with my Lyman case prep station (I believe it's a uniformer) and unfortunately for the case I tried it on, it just loosened the pocket, removing all this material without any change in depth.

What do you suggest? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Apart from safety, the issue is that it's preventing me from seating my bullets uniformly, as the pockets depths vary and I therefore can't get consistent measurements off the ogives.

That is for reaming crimped primer pockets. This is the tip you need to use.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Use this on my match ammo
made by K&M

 

[DHuffman]

This is the best for uniforming pocket depth and not removing material from the sides IME

PMA ALPHA Small Primer Pocket Ultimate Uniformer (Complete w/ Handle and Power Adapter)

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

Edit
This is actually the one I was looking for but I see the Alpha one above doesn't cut as deep. This Lapua one will cut them to .124" in my experience.

PMA Lapua Small Primer Pocket Ultimate Uniformer (Complete w/ Handle and Power Adapter)

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

 

[hpshooter]

Sinclair tungsten carbide non-adjustable small primer pocket uni-former run in a variable speed drill.
Has worked for me for 30 years and thousands of cases and still cuts smoothly and does not enlarge the diameter of the pocket.

 

[natdscott]

0.003 crush on a primer is about right. How are you measuring when to stop trying to seat them?

OP, have you answered this, at least for yourself?

Do NOT deepen those pockets by 0.005", unless you feel like ruining all the cases.

Most primers "like" between 0.003" and 0.005" crush for best ignition.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://21stcenturyinnovation.com/buy-online/ols/products/primer-pocket-uniformer/v/500
Another great pocket uniformer that does large and small with the same tool.

 

[243winxb]

I noticed my CCI 400s are sitting proud, so I measured the pockets at .119 in depth. My primers are .121 tall

Use an RCBS Ram Prime to seat primers.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I wouldn’t cut them deeper than .123.

 

[DHuffman]

There can be a difference in below flush and crush. A .003" crush doesn't necessarily give you .003" below flush and a .003" below flush may or may not have any crush.

You need to touch bottom regardless of your intended crush or below flush.

 

[Richard Jones]

Dusty sez.....

 

[Bc'z]

There can be a difference in below flush and crush. A .003" crush doesn't necessarily give you .003" below flush and a .003" below flush may or may not have any crush.

You need to touch bottom regardless of your intended crush or below flush.

That's church right there

 

[precision.riflecraft]

Thank you everyone for your replies! They've been very helpful. I learned that 21st Century makes a micrometer uniformer, so I'll be ordering one of those. I really like that company as I've come to rely upon their mandrels for setting final neck tension. I'm looking forward to truing the pockets in this out-of-spec Lapua brass so I can do my fourth and final ladder test, finding my seating node. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Sumtoc]

Thank you everyone for your replies! They've been very helpful. I learned that 21st Century makes a micrometer uniformer, so I'll be ordering one of those. I really like that company as I've come to rely upon their mandrels for setting final neck tension. I'm looking forward to truing the pockets in this out-of-spec Lapua brass so I can do my fourth and final ladder test, finding my seating node. Thanks again everyone.

Yep, I have one and it works well.