Measured Primer Crush

[Tsu45]

Thinking in terms of crush measured in distance, not force. Is there a standard starting (or fixed) measurement that seems like the sweet spot?

 

[INTJ]

Convention wisdom is .002" for small rifle primers and .003" for large rifle primers.

 

[mikecr]

I use 2thou crush for everything except CCIs. They get 4thou as they're less sensitive.
It was testing that led to this.

You cannot seat to a set crush with force/feel. It's impossible.
It has to be measured with each pocket depth and primer height accounted for.
The only tool that does this is the indicated K&M.

 

[Uncle Ed]

Nothing is written in stone.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Nothing is written in stone.

Yes but the k&m they speak of measures and compares primer pocket depth and primer height so it doesnt matter the brass depth difference between lots of brass. Myself, i prefer to uniform the pockets so theyre all the same and set my crush with the 21st century adjustable or the primal rights cps. I like solid priming tools i can feel each anvil leg hit the bottom with.

 

[mikecr]

Even with uniformed pockets, usually depth, but even if diameter as well, primers themselves vary in diameter.
They squeeze into pockets with varying force. Often, primer seating force is itself higher than the delicate primer crush force (a finger squeeze), masking results.
So unless pockets are loose enough to seat without a tool at all, ACTUAL bottom (just touching) is not a clear step change in force.

Now the K&M is pretty well built. It has a Long handle with good leverage, and it's a hefty tool that does not flex or anything. One of the first things you can learn with it is that seating to touch -vs- seating to touch + crush, either without measure, doesn't actually work.
You could not close your eyes through operation and get it right.

The only way I could know the 21st Century setting is working, is to first measure the [primer to pocket] with the K&M, then seat that primer to that pocket with the 21st, then check result with the K&M.
That's one primer down. Then do it for about 10 and see how I did.
I would be amazed, honestly, if they turned out right.

In my life, I've yet to see shortcuts reach the same place as well established and longer paths.

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Per mikecr:
"In my life, I've yet to see shortcuts reach the same place as well established and longer paths."

This statement applies to many things in general.

A. Weldy