R-P 221 Fireball Brass Issue

[flatlander]

Has anyone had problems with shallow primer pockets on their R-P 221 brass? I ran into a couple while loading some 20 VarTarg ammo a year or so ago, then several more when I had time this summer to begin working with this rifle again. I haven't gone through the whole box of 500 yet, but so far, it's looking like there's about 3-4% with these shallow PPs.

It takes several passes with a PP uniforming cutter to get them to depth, which makes me think I'm probably thinning the case web quite a bit. Let me make this clear - they're too shallow by around .025" or more, which means that, not only can the primers not be seated flush, but they won't even allow the bolt to close on a loaded round due to protrusion.

 

[KevinThomas]

Dennis,

Send 'em back! If the primer pockets really are that shallow, they'd probably appreciate hearing about it and would surely replace the brass for you. Some minor prep work is normal for any brass, depending on how picky we may be, but this much work just to make the brass usable is a problem they should fix.

 

[ab_bentley]

You're not cutting to them to then, it's they're that thick, poor QC. I had the same issue. I began making mine out of 223 brass and solved my issues, ADam

 

[alton9]

Kevin Thomas, any chance Lapua will start making .221 Fireball brass? I would buy some.

 

[flatlander]

Kevin,
I tend to agree that they should be sent back. If nothing else, Remington should be told that they have QC problems. In 43yrs. of handloading, I've never seen this much of an issue with any other brass, no matter what the brand.

 

[ab_bentley]

Kevin Thomas, any chance Lapua will start making .221 Fireball brass? I would buy some.

Norma is. ADam

 

[Rick in Oregon]

For those that appreciate good brass, Nosler (Norma) will have 221FB brass available around the end of Jan 2012 if the schedule is kept. It will be offered in their Nosler Custom ammo, plus bulk brass.

Now my 17M4 and 20VT will have decent parent brass to work with......finally. (Now if Lapua would just step up too......)