Seating Primers in Alpha 6 Dasher Brass?

[HTSmith]

I finally got some of this brass and it is very well made. Very consistent measurements. I am having somewhat of an issue seating CCI 450 primers. Primers go in about 75% with firm pressure. The last 25% to get them to flush with the case head takes a lot of pressure. My clean up tool won't go all the way to the bottom of the pocket. Is this normal? Should I go ahead and try to clean up the bottom of the pockets? What can you tell me? I've had some snug Lapua brass but this is different. Thanks

 

[Ccrider]

There is another recent thread in this. I will post it if I run across it. They fit snug but it does not seem to effect performance. After two firings they go I. A little easier. I would not touch them. I don’t see right primer pockets as an issue.

 

[HTSmith]

There is another recent thread in this. I will post it if I run across it. They fit snug but it does not seem to effect performance. After two firings they go I. A little easier. I would not touch them. I don’t see right primer pockets as an issue.

Is flush as deep as you can get them? thanks

 

[Ccrider]

Is flush as deep as you can get them? thanks

No. They seat and crush. Just take little more force. I am using a 21st century tool.

 

[newbieshooter]

reference posts 289-293

Alpha 6BRA brass

Anyone find the primer pockets to be small in diameter? ...... jim Yes I do. On a related note, how is everyone dealing with this. I chose to leave the lockers alone, figuring they will open up soon enough and then I can uniform them.

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[djporter]

No. They seat and crush. Just take little more force. I am using a 21st century tool.

21sr Century is the ticket for Alpha Dasher brass.

 

[Clancy]

I wouldn’t mess with the pockets, especially on unfired brass- but if you must, the PMA Lapua primer pocket uniformer is the correct tool.

They’re tight on the first seating in every chambering I’ve tried.

When the primer first makes contact, give the case a 1/4-1/2 turn spin and that’ll get it going nice and straight. They seat much easier that way.

On my first batch, I stopped after 5 cases and called Alpha. They got me straightened out with the above info about spinning the case and the PMA uniformer.

 

[Ccrider]

If you look at the past threads, you will see that some very good and experienced shooters that have used the Alpha brass saw no reason to uniform the pockets. Being a novice, I trust their conclusions.

I posted my 6bra breakin loads using Alpha brass. My first time loading the 6bra cartridge. The breakin loads shot really well although the pockets were tight. After two hundred rounds I saw zero problems with the pockets being tight. Es was low and the groups were tight and consistent using Bart’s blemished or “seconds” bullets. I have not had a chance to stretch things out yet.

All said and done, there is no way I would screw with the primer pockets based on my initial results. Here is the thread:

My First Outing With My New 6BRAI

First, thanks to Alex Wheeler for building me a very nice rifle and all of the information that he has shared along the way. Second, thanks to all of you other guys that have unselfishly answered my relentless questions with wise and informative answers. I am afraid to try to name everyone...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[taylorw]

I finally got some of this brass and it is very well made. Very consistent measurements. I am having somewhat of an issue seating CCI 450 primers. Primers go in about 75% with firm pressure. The last 25% to get them to flush with the case head takes a lot of pressure. My clean up tool won't go all the way to the bottom of the pocket. Is this normal? Should I go ahead and try to clean up the bottom of the pockets? What can you tell me? I've had some snug Lapua brass but this is different. Thanks

I had a box sent to me with 0.050” flash holes that were just a touch snug but not much different than lapua.
The second lot were 0.080” and were very tight, as your describing. I ended up taking a Qtip and dabbing the tip into some graphite and spinning it in each primer pocket. I’d say it eased the seating pressure about 25% and eliminate that feeling of the primer trying gal.
I couldn’t really feel the crush with the first 10 I tried without graphite but could feel some of the crush with the rest.
Don’t use much.. just enough to change the color of the Qtip.

 

[wkdickinson]

I have 200 pieces of Alpha 6 Dasher that were new when I bought them from another member. I seat primer with the Lee Bench Primer tool. The intial loading took a bit more pressure to seat the primers, but they "bottomed" easily. I am on the 4th loading and the primers are still tight.

 

[Ray123]

I finally got some of this brass and it is very well made. Very consistent measurements. I am having somewhat of an issue seating CCI 450 primers. Primers go in about 75% with firm pressure. The last 25% to get them to flush with the case head takes a lot of pressure. My clean up tool won't go all the way to the bottom of the pocket. Is this normal? Should I go ahead and try to clean up the bottom of the pockets? What can you tell me? I've had some snug Lapua brass but this is different. Thanks

Use Remington 7 1/2 primer in Alpha brass and the primer seating returns to "normal"...as the Remington 7 1/2 primer cup has a tiny slight taper on the front of the cup...and the CCI has a straight diameter across the cup. Try a few Remington 7 1/2 primers and see for yourself.

 

[HTSmith]

Use Remington 7 1/2 primer in Alpha brass and the primer seating returns to "normal"...as the Remington 7 1/2 primer cup has a tiny slight taper on the front of the cup...and the CCI has a straight diameter across the cup. Try a few Remington 7 1/2 primers and see for yourself.

I'll try some of the Remington 7.5's.

 

[wkdickinson]

I have 200 pieces of Alpha 6 Dasher that were new when I bought them from another member. I seat primer with the Lee Bench Primer tool. The intial loading took a bit more pressure to seat the primers, but they "bottomed" easily. I am on the 4th loading and the primers are still tight.

I forgot to say that I use CCI 450 primers.

 

[HTSmith]

Use Remington 7 1/2 primer in Alpha brass and the primer seating returns to "normal"...as the Remington 7 1/2 primer cup has a tiny slight taper on the front of the cup...and the CCI has a straight diameter across the cup. Try a few Remington 7 1/2 primers and see for yourself.

The Remington 7 1/2's did seat easier. Par for the course I don't have many of them. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Ray123]

The Remington 7 1/2's did seat easier. Par for the course I don't have many of them. Thanks for the tip.

You're welcome, that's what we're here for...the brotherhood...sometimes we can improve eachothers shooting or reloading day, with past experiences. Being a retired machinist I could make a die and punch to champher other primers ...if I run out of the 3000 7 1/2' s before more are manufactured and available...or square cut a 100 pcs Alpha brass for regular primers.

 

[titus123]

No. They seat and crush. Just take little more force. I am using a 21st century tool.

Same experience

 

[titus123]

I have 200 pieces of Alpha 6 Dasher that were new when I bought them from another member. I seat primer with the Lee Bench Primer tool. The intial loading took a bit more pressure to seat the primers, but they "bottomed" easily. I am on the 4th loading and the primers are still tight.

I used the same Lee priming tool and had the same experience with 450s. I thought the priming tool was the culprit, and bought a 21st Century..... And it has the same issue. That said, I could have saved myself a fair amount of money if I had checked the forums.