Rookie mistake -- Sloppy Primer Seating

[old_heli_logger]

I hate to admit this but maybe some can learn from it...
I was getting terrible ES and I tried a bunch of things to reduce it, different primers, different brass, powder charges.
I finally discovered that I wasn't seating my primers fully in the bottom of the primer pocket. I use a Frankfort Arsenal hand seater and I was just cranking them out and not paying enough attention to make sure they were fully seated. My ES went from all over the map single digit to almost triple digits....and different on each outing, to consistent low teens and single digits.
Let the beatings begin! Doh!!!!

 

[GLShooter]

The learning curve is alive and well in the reloading world. Good catch on your inconsistent seating and adjusting your process.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I would say, Thank You for sharing your experience! Good reminder.

 

[sgav8r]

Soooo many variables that mess us up when complacency creeps into the process. A good lesson. Appreciate you sharing. No shame in learning from mistakes.

 

[wedgy]

Do you uniform the primer pockets ?

 

[dgeesaman]

I hate to admit this but maybe some can learn from it...
I was getting terrible ES and I tried a bunch of things to reduce it, different primers, different brass, powder charges.
I finally discovered that I wasn't seating my primers fully in the bottom of the primer pocket. I use a Frankfort Arsenal hand seater and I was just cranking them out and not paying enough attention to make sure they were fully seated. My ES went from all over the map single digit to almost triple digits....and different on each outing, to consistent low teens and single digits.
Let the beatings begin! Doh!!!!

Don’t beat yourself up too much. I had one of those seaters and mine wouldn’t even adjust to fully seat a primer.

When I see “rookie mistake” my first thought is oh no, I hope nobody got hurt. This isn’t one, thankfully.

 

[K22]

I learned the hard way, long ago, not to engage in reloading if I was distracted by some event in my life or to attempt to rush through the process trying to "fit it" between a busy schedule. This especially become important as one ages and concentration/focus start to drift.

It's a rare reloader who hasn't made at least one major mistake. However, it's a positive that you identified it.

 

[CF Junkie]

Reloading is a journey.
Every session or so you get a revelation about what really works and what doesn't.
The important thing is to incorporate your lessons into your regular process so you constantly build consistency in achieving your goals.

 

[divingin]

Rookie mistake? Maybe, though I doubt it.

More like experience gained.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Do you uniform the primer pockets ?

Absolutely! I do everything every time, everything

 

[misser]

.008 below flush ?

 

[Bronzie]

I laughed about the guy that didn't prime before loading powder....well, shit...at least it was only 10.

 

[old_heli_logger]

.008 below flush ?

They are now! Lol!!! Thanks!

 

[1shot]

Mark Twain said that "life is to short to make all the mistakes yourself, so it's best to learn from the mistakes made by others".
Thanks for sharing,

Lloyd

 

[old_heli_logger]

Thank you for all the replies and not beating me up too bad....and thanks to the Forum Boss for modifying the title to help identify the content

 

[NF1E]

Wez al bin dar! Whatta Hobby!

 

[jimmymac]

I laughed about the guy that didn't prime before loading powder....well, shit...at least it was only 10.

Been there!! I have also gone to the line with primers and no powder. High speed reloading between relays has bit me in the ass more than once.

 

[SeabeeKen]

If you dont see clean brass where the 3 little anvil feet rest, they aren't deep enough

 

[Syncrowave]

At least you didn't seat any upside-down ... BTDT!

 

[danny]

Do you uniform the primer pockets ?

Most don't. They are going to tell you how they don't get any accuracy gains, so they won't bother, then they go off to work with the super whiz bang expensive adjustable stop primer seater and seat to pockets that are all over the place.

Danny