Loose Primers?

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

Last night I set down to prime some (.223 Rem) Winchester cases for an upcoming service rifle match (I shoot a Rock River NM). The cases are all once fired, resized, trimmed, primer pocket uniformed, and cleaned. Using an RCBS hand priming tool, the first few primers felt like they went in with little or no resistance. I did some more, and it felt the same so I switched from Rem 7.5's to CCI 400's. Same thing. Just to make it clear, my loads are not hot at all. (I'm only running 22.5 grains of RL 15 with a 77 SMK). I called around and was told that as long as the primers don't move when the rim of the case is bounced on a table, they are ok. None of the primers backed out when I hit them on a table or moved at all. Does this sound right? I have read too much that says "It's a feel thing", but when you haven't experienced too loose before, how do you know? I am thinking about loading up 15-20 and trying them checking each spent case. Any suggestions, or advice here would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[tunered]

I have had the same thing with no ill effects, I believe certain lots of brass seem to be a little big in the pocket. ed

 

[mj2evans]

I reload for a couple of rifles in different calibers and 223 is about the only place I run into the same issue you noted. No ejecter make on the brass, only been relaoded a couple times but loose pockets (I shoot across the course with an AR15). I have lost one or two primers out of a thousand so I don't really think its a big issue but my match ammo is only the "felt good priming" and not the "easy" ones (maybe no big deal but I feel better).

 

[kelbro]

Wouldn't happen to be Federal brass would it? Never had good luck with their 223 brass.

 

[tenring]

Try Wolf primers. They are just a tad bigger and may solve your problem. And they shoot good.

 

[juliomorris]

+1 for wolf they seem to larger. I have also run into this with federal brass.

 

[TRECustom]

Midway sells a primer pocket tightener that seems pretty crude, but I bought one for the very expensive Wby boomer cases. Haven't tried it yet, but it is very simple and should work fine. I believe it can be set up for small rifle primers.

Many years ago I shot service rifle matches with a Garand and later, an M-1A. You're on the right track. Use them for practice, if you use them at all, but not in a match. I hated having to shoot an alibi relay for any reason, and loose primers and rapid fire strings in a semiautomatic sound like a surefire (bad pun) alibi.

Good luck, Tom

 

[AckleymanII]

When the primers feel loose, I toss them.........

indicators are that the cases were heat treated too much, pockets will get looser and looser as time goes on.

Winchester primers are a little on the larger size also. Blowing a primer in a match is the worst possible thing that could happen.