Loose primer pocket, big deal!!

[LC Tikka]

I don't know the real "ins and out" of brass life, but pockets are a concern of many reloaders.

So you shoot the brass a few times and the pockets open up a little, as they do and the primer is getting loose.
Sounds like a fairly normal occurrence, the case head being unsupported expands due to shot pressure.

If the brass is fine apart from the primer pocket being a little over-size, then one way to bring the primer fit back to standard would be to install an over-size primer.

If (again) primer makers had std size and + .002" over-size or what ever, then you select the correct primer size and continue using your valuable brass. Keeping in mind the only problem with the brass is pocket size.

Primers cost nothing compared brass, is this a viable solution.
LC

 

[masterblaster1]

some primers are larger than others already. Was there a question in there?

 

['Freak]

Primer pockets don’t too soon become so enlarged the primer won’t seal without explanation. Best find and fix the cause rather than slap on a band-aid and continue on to its too early demise in another round or two.

 

[bigstick6017555]

if you continue to push the brass up to the last highest fps you can wring out of it, than this is what you will get. I have never done that and I have never had a problem with loose pockets. everything has its limits.

 

[Shynloco]

Primer pockets ........ enlarged the primer won’t seal without explanation. Best find and fix the cause rather than slap on a band-aid and continue on to its too early demise in another round or two.

+1. What caliber are you referring to or are your comments a general statement? Like OldFreak says, theres a reason why your primer pockets are enlarging and I would suggest you look at the pressure your loads are carrying. Also if the primers don't seal, you are allowing for blowback/leakage and aren't getting the full benefit of what the primers are "supposed" to do and thus a dropoff in accuracy, let alone not getting the full advantage of the bullet you are using. Just something to consider and I'd be looking for a cure. Yes brass is expensive, so why ruin it prematurely?

Alex

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I think I'm getting the concept of the OP.

The question is: Why can't we have primers in various sizes to help us preserve our cases for longer?

You know, from a manufacturing perspective, the product would not be that hard to make. From a logistical perspective, what a nightmare!

Knowing how difficult it is to find primers when there is only one size, can you imagine how hard it would be if we had to distribute the available primers between .000, +.002, and +.004? What if you had good brass (.000 pockets) and could only find +.004 primers?

I understand the reluctance to let go of a piece of brass that has done good service for the cause, but I retire mine without any heartache. New brass gives me a thing or two to do (neck turning, flash holes, etc. etc.).

I also agree with the posters above: Well treated brass will not loosen up the primer pockets too soon.

What we really need to do is devise a way to work-harden the case head to increase the toughness of the case. The new Norma 284 and Dasher brass will be double-struck to acheive that end. How do we tool to make that happen with other cases?

 

[amlevin]

I think I'm getting the concept of the OP.

The question is: Why can't we have primers in various sizes to help us preserve our cases for longer?

You know, from a manufacturing perspective, the product would not be that hard to make. From a logistical perspective, what a nightmare!

Knowing how difficult it is to find primers when there is only one size, can you imagine how hard it would be if we had to distribute the available primers between .000, +.002, and +.004? What if you had good brass (.000 pockets) and could only find +.004 primers?

I understand the reluctance to let go of a piece of brass that has done good service for the cause, but I retire mine without any heartache. New brass gives me a thing or two to do (neck turning, flash holes, etc. etc.).

I also agree with the posters above: Well treated brass will not loosen up the primer pockets too soon.

What we really need to do is devise a way to work-harden the case head to increase the toughness of the case. The new Norma 284 and Dasher brass will be double-struck to acheive that end. How do we tool to make that happen with other cases?

Could you imagine the problems for the average reloader if there were oversized primers available.

I recall when I used to rebuild old 50's vintage engines. It was a standard practice to mic the crank journals and rod end ID's then buy bearings in various "plus" sizes. Problems galore, especially when you had to tear the crank line down because you couldn't turn it with a 4' bar.

I'll just "retire" my brass when the primer pockets loosen up. Making sure the pockets are nice and clean so the cup can seal tight when fired sure helps put off the leakage, even in pockets that are approaching max ID.

 

[bigedp51]

Just measure the primers you "DO HAVE" and check your primer pockets with smaller size pin gauges and reject the bad cases.

The pin gauge below is fully inside the primer pocket and this case goes into the scrap brass bucket.

Not checking for oversized primer pockets on a over gassed AR15 will chew up the bolt face and have primers jamming up your trigger group.

In the photo below from a AR15 forum the poster said he didn't check his primer pockets and just replaced the bolt when it got bad enough.

 

[masterblaster1]

I just through away 300 peices of 300 mag brass because the pockets felt less than firm, had 8 firings on them, they were bought once fired LC brass so I got my moneys worth out of them. I just dont want to put plasma holes in my tac 300 bolt face. I suspect the main cause of loosening primer pockets is loading too close to the lands causing pressure spikes, loading too hot, or just plain too many firings.

 

[amlevin]

I suspect the main cause of loosening primer pockets is loading too close to the lands causing pressure spikes, loading too hot, or just plain too many firings.

They can leak before they are too large (loose) if you don't properly clean the pockets before seating new primers too. Especially with crimped military brass if you don't properly remove the crimp.

 

[amlevin]

In the photo below from a AR15 forum the poster said he didn't check his primer pockets and just replaced the bolt when it got bad enough.

Which may well have been after 10,000 or more rounds. Kind of like top strap erosion on revolvers. Looks terrible but more often than not means nothing. Granted, top straps aren't as easy to replace as AR-15 bolts though 8)