The big primer seating debate

[Tommie]

A lot of people, perhaps new, didn't participate in the previous discussions, likely. We owe it to them to share what we know, or not. Just depends on one's patience and willingness to SHARE

Yeah I guess since resurrecting zombie threads is against forum policy we’ll resurrect zombie subjects.

 

[Retired shooter]

If the search function was utilized more often, it would solve many issues.

To all a good day !

 

[speedygonzalez]

I just conducted my own two year test of primer seating in actual competition. Brian " The Witch Doctor" mentioned some things in his podcast that seemed plausible. Being the my real name is Thomas and a true doubting Thomas at that, I had to test this for myself. After two years of testing in actual matches around Texas and now South Carolina, my best results according to two years of data points to having the print just seat on the pocket floor to .001 of crush. When oover seating or crushing the primer, the rifles would spit shots into the conditions randomly.
That's all I got,
Keep'em small!
Speedy

PS: I use a Sinclair 2000, I have had for years with the addition of the Second Hand to hold it vertically on my loading bench.. Watch the video and start about minute 38 to see it live.

 

[wywindsor]

Here's my view. Theres lots of information out there. I look all over the net for it. I also use the search function here. I find old videos on youtube which all contradict from one to another. Some are the same folks that either change their mind or didn't have it right to begin with.

So with that said the person who can set a primer by feel and has good results, my hats off to them.
Speed wise I think any lee, Rcbs, Lyman, or my preferred one the Frankfort tray style. The last one has an adjustment that uses the case extractor groove. And no you cannot seat primers to an exact depth with it from the base measurement. I'm sure most all of you know this. Back to why we need a 700 dollar press or why Hornady just built a new one that does the same thing. Uses the groove to hold the case.

So until you weigh and measure all aspects of the primer to figure out what method you like. There is not a tool on the market that will seat a primer the same every time. Assuming you want the same crush or depth. The only way I see this working is by running a dowl inside the case to hold it firm against a plate then a bottom feed ram to set the primer. Now you would have depth and crush. Hell you could use a Amp press type device. More $hit to think about.

 

[Retired shooter]

I just conducted my own two year test of primer seating in actual competition. Brian " The Witch Doctor" mentioned some things in his podcast that seemed plausible. Being the my real name is Thomas and a true doubting Thomas at that, I had to test this for myself. After two years of testing in actual matches around Texas and now South Carolina, my best results according to two years of data points to having the print just seat on the pocket floor to .001 of crush. When oover seating or crushing the primer, the rifles would spit shots into the conditions randomly.
That's all I got,
Keep'em small!
Speedy

PS: I use a Sinclair 2000, I have had for years with the addition of the Second Hand to hold it vertically on my loading bench.. Watch the video and start about minute 38 to see it live.

Looks like an awesome facility. Would be terrible, absolutely terrible, to have something like that so close to home.

 

[FTR_Mojo]

The only way I see this working is by running a dowl inside the case to hold it firm against a plate then a bottom feed ram to set the primer. Now you would have depth and crush.

You've just described the Lee ACP. It exists. Sort of.... It's discontinued.

 

[Keith Hansley in NC]

a proper sized metal punch and a big hammer. if it doesn't go bang when seating, then you are good to go

 

[Downhill]

I just push them in until they stop at the bottom of the pocket. Have neither the time or desire to overthink such a simple step in reloading.

 

[Albany Mountain]

You got to take the high dollar accessories usage with a grain of salt. Sure many of the top shooters use them but how many have the privilege of testing out these top line products at no cost?? or how many are marketing them their selves at a high cost.
I once shot and won a standing 100 shot match with a newly purchased Remington 700 BDL Varmit barreled 308 after I installed redfield sights on it. Most people were interested in loads velocities and almost called me a liar after I told them I never grouped the gun. I swore after this that if I hung a brassiere off the end of the barrel while shooting, at the next match there would be many brassieres flying in the wind.

 

[DLT]

I just push them in until they stop at the bottom of the pocket. Have neither the time or desire to overthink such a simple step in reloading.

Amen brother. Preach it

 

[BoydAllen]

With all the new products to seat primers. Where does it matter from? Some say .001 to .003 recessed from case base. Others say seat from the rim/ extractor groove like most conventional seaters do. Or by feel. What your perspective? And why do we need 700 dollar primer seaters?

A lot of very credible shooters seat primers by feel, so that they are firmly bottomed in the primer pocket. If you seat a few like this and measure their depth, I think that you will find them to be quite a bit deeper than that. Beyond this, there are people out there who just can't help themselves, who have time on their hands, who like complexity and expensive shiny stuff.