Primer seating question

[nmkid]

A while back I purchased a new RCBS automatic primer seater and Holland's option kit for the seater. The kit allows you to have an adjustment wheel to set your desired primer depth. After adjusting everything, I got to seating primers. I hit a snag that has me baffled. Using Lapua cases with probably 5-7 firings. Couple of loose primer pockets but, as a whole the pockets are still fine (?). On some cases the primers set in perfect. On others, the primers seated too deep. These same cases on the previous priming all seated properly. So, I have to ask...As a case gets older and the primer pockets get loose, is it possible to have primers seat different depths because of seating resistance? Then I thought, the loose primer pockets shouldn't have any bearing because the adjustment wheel only allows seating to a set adjustment. Guess I'll have to call Holland's during the week and discuss. Same primers used(CCI BR). I thought this set up was the cat's meow for "tired, old" hands. The tool is pretty nifty and if speed was a necessity...This thing let's you prime cases lickety split! Three firings ago all primers seated just right, so. I'm lost.

 

[DaveTooley]

There is no such thing as too deep. Primers have to bottom out with a bit of crush to be sensitized. Leading cause of light strike misfires.

 

[spclark]

NMkid, how are you decapping your brass?

Is it possible you have a decapping pin that's set too deep? If this happens you may be stretching your case heads ever so slightly when you run your decapping operation. The pocket gets larger 'cause the case head's bowing slightly outward while the pocket depth can also lessen some from being deformed by the decapping stem right at the flash hole.

I decap using a Wilson punch & case base, easy to get fired primers out while also keeping tabs on how easy they come out each time. Side benefit's keeping all the gritty residue away from my press rams.

 

[JohnKielly]

I decap using a Wilson punch & case base, easy to get fired primers out while also keeping tabs on how easy they come out each time. Side benefit's keeping all the gritty residue away from my press rams.

I do the same with a Lee universal depriming die in a really inexpensive old press.

 

[nmkid]

Guys. I gave up the 1st half on the Steelers game to work on the seater. I FEEL LIKE SUCH A DUMMY!! Took the seater off the shelve to look at it. The handle almost came off!! Somehow the handle had worked loose(?) or some dumbo didn't tighten it properly. Tightened the handle up and...Everything is OK now. Back to seating primers just the way I want them .

 

[Ggmac]

Companies sales pitch aside , primers must be seated to bottom out in the case .

 

[nmkid]

Sales pitch aside , primers must be seated to bottom out in the case .

I don't know who died and made you king??!! My post was NO sales pitch. I could care less what you think about the product.

 

[Ggmac]

Not you ! I was referring to the company's sales pitch !
Sorry if it came across the wrong way .
Gosh ,

 

[nmkid]

OK. No problem over and done with. Let's go shooting!! LOL.