primer pocket swaging

[TrxR]

I bought a dillon super swage to swage the crimp on some military 5.56 (ivi) brass. How do i know if i swaged it far enough? What diameter am i looking for? I done a couple that started at .167 befor swaging and are now .171. I also did a couple adjusted a bit more but seem to take more force that came out at .172. i don't have any small rifle primers to try but do have a few small pistol primers.

Thanks

 

[ToddKS]

The best way is to order a "Swage Gauge" from Ballistic tools. I have one for large and for small primer pockets.

 

[jepp2]

How do i know if i swaged it far enough?

Just try seating a few primers. If they go in easy, it's enough. You can use spent primers to test.

I just go for a "roll" that makes them prime easily. Less about diameter, more about removing the restriction.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

All you need is a little radius at the mouth of the primer pocket.

 

[ebb]

The instructions that came with my RCBS swage said to set the depth of the swage with each brand of case as they are all different in the base thickness and the anvil part of the swage would have to be adjusted for that case. I gave up on that and pushed the handle till I felt resistance and tried to get the same fell with all my cases. I know it's not the right way to do it but it seems to be working fine. I have also used a Lyman cutter to remove the crimp. I think it is by far the easiest way to do it and if I had figured this out before I bought the swage, I wouldn't have bought the swage.

 

[Uncle Ed]

The "Swage Gauge" from Ballistic tools works like a GO, NO-GO gauge and if the larger diameter end goes in the primer pocket is over max diameter. I also bought several pin gauges that are .0005 smaller in diameter than the the primers being used to make sure of a snug fit.

The RCBS crimp reamer below only removes the primer crimp and does not touch the side walls of the primer pocket. When the base of the case contacts the face of the reamer the crimp is removed and the primer pocket has a well rounded mouth. You can not over ream the primer pocket with this tool.

The Hornady reamer below works very well "BUT" must be held straight or it will score the primer pocket side walls.

The problem with the hand reamers is you will get sore hands when doing large batches of cases.

Below are the manufacturing dimensions of primers and primer pockets. So just remember the swage must be adjusted for each type/brand of case. Or you may over swage the primer pocket and have loose primer pockets before you even fire them.

Bottom line, you can check the primer pockets using a fired primer or gauges. I prefer using pin gauges .0005 smaller in diameter than the primer being used.

I use a Lee depriming tool to check loose suspect primers, and if the primer moves with light finger pressure the case goes in the scrap brass bucket.

 

[nmkid]

I'll just buy the cases all prepped. The 5.56 is not worth my time for a case that I shoot once and forget it.

 

[TrxR]

I just ordered a Swage guage and will see how it works. I like the dillon swage as its quick and easy to use . Ive got 1750 pieces to do of 556 and another 1000 of 9mm.

 

[JohnKielly]

All you need is a little radius at the mouth of the primer pocket.

I gave up on swage dies & ground the flutes off an old countersink. Sitting that on the ram & using the hohum RCBS swage tool, I just pushed out the crimp.

 

[redrockranger]

The best way is to order a "Swage Gauge" from Ballistic tools. I have one for large and for small primer pockets.

This man has your answer. A very neat tool that you can sort range brass with after depriming etc. Brownells carry's it also.