Really has me stumped!!!!

[rsbhunter]

I have a Frankford Arsenal perfect seat priming tool. I like the tool and it seemed to do a good job, but I'm getting a quarter moon raised area on the edge of the primers. I'm using Norma new and fired brass, CCI 450 primers, seating .0035 deep. Some of the measurements I'm getting are....primer pocket depth .124, primer height .118-.119. I contacted Frankford Arsenal last week, and they were great. Sent me new seating stems and collars/guides for large and small primers. But it's the same thing all over again....BUT, the large primer set up doesn't affect the primers.....? Thanks for any advice or help...I have contacted the company again, and to make it clear, they have been excellent on the help and customer service they have given.....rsbhunter

 

[dhagerty40]

you are crushing the primer. you need to adjust the primer seating depth on the tool. and it needs to be adjusted depending on what case or primer you are using.

 

[rsbhunter]

No, I have seated them at .006 to flush and it does the same thing....Not that I am above screwing up, but the difference between the pocket depth and primer height is .005-.006. rsbhunter

 

[dgeesaman]

I had a FA perfect primer tool once. The adjust didn’t work so they sent an extra set of shell holders. That didn’t fix it so I got rid of it.

I guess I’m saying my experience with this tool was it was defective. So it’s very possible you have a similar issue.

 

[rsbhunter]

Yeah, I always figure a problem is my fault, but I've reloaded for 40+ years, and have never had this problem. I for years used the least expensive priming tool from Lee, wore 2 of them out.....if the new one wasn't "new and improved" , I'd have a 3rd one !!!!! What did you switch to, if I may ask?? Thanks, rsbhunter

 

[RustyInBend]

I have the FA Perfect Primer and use it all the time (both LRP and SRP) with great results. Only issue was a badly machined shellholder #4 which they replaced without question. My results have been ... um ... "perfect" so if that's happening, there's clearly something very wrong. Sorry ... not very helpful, but just wanted you to know that there's at least one of these gadgets that's working flawlessly.

 

[ebb]

Looks to me like the pin is too small that pushes the primer in, could it be in backwards?

 

[rsbhunter]

I agree that there must be good ones out there. What is confusing is that the large primer set up doesn't do that...did some 6.5 Creeds, and they seated perfect...will add a pic in a minute...rsbhunter

 

[ebb]

The RCBS pins that push the primers in have a flat end and a round end the round end goes down in the tool and had a round recess that it fits in, the flat end must go to the primer. That picture looks close to setting off the primer to me.

 

[DGP4]

Must be defective as you say. I have the same priming tool and it works perfectly with large and small primers.

 

[dhagerty40]

if you want to do a check, seat a primer and then turn the case 180 degrees and reseat. see what happens to the moon area. If it goes away, the priming rod is not centered on the primer.

and as said above, the priming rod may be too small. and no support on the edges.

The reason I suspect primer crushing as the primer is too flat in the other areas.

 

[rsbhunter]

Did the 180° spin, puts the exact mark 180° from the first...pics of large primers seated with same tool...(yeah, I see the ejector marks)....rsbhunter

 

[rsbhunter]

The pin only goes one way, it fits into a collar/guide ,one end is approx. .100-.150 bigger in diameter. I agree about the flat face, but it doesn't seat hard, and I even stopped at flush....plus, the measurements don't lean towards crush, almost the opposite....rsbhunter

 

[rsbhunter]

The ID of the seating pin is .1715, the hole it fits in (collar/guide) is .186....that is what I'm concerned about is the amount of clearance, .0.0145??

 

[dhagerty40]

The ID of the seating pin is .1715, the hole it fits in (collar/guide) is .186....that is what I'm concerned about is the amount of clearance, .0.0145??

you might have hit on the main problem (a too small seating pin). I included a chart showing primer cup data:

 

[Bill K]

Even though the seating pins are new and look good, it appears they are to small in diameter and pushing the center of the primer in deeper than they should.
Measure them and compare the diameter to pins from your previous seating pin/face and see what they are.

 

[rsbhunter]

Will do....the large primer pin/collar has the same discrepancy , but it works...??? Hence why I'm stumped...! I really appreciate all the help, you guys are the best....rsbhunter

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Yeah, I always figure a problem is my fault, but I've reloaded for 40+ years, and have never had this problem. I for years used the least expensive priming tool from Lee, wore 2 of them out.....if the new one wasn't "new and improved" , I'd have a 3rd one !!!!! What did you switch to, if I may ask?? Thanks, rsbhunter

The RCBS bench primer seems like the easy button for me.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

"new and improved" is marketing speak for we found a way to make them cheaper

Frank

 

[dellet]

Have you tried a different small primer shell holder and case?

Or same shell holder different headstamp or cartridge?

Is the impression where the case is set too deep or shallow into the shell holder vs side to side or random?

I would guess that since the large primer works, basic tool alignment is probably correct.