too loose?

[newgun]

I would like to get some idea of when a primer pocket is too loose? I have never had one fall out or even move as far as I know.When I get a loose one I find it when putting in a primer so I use it and think well maybe it will be too loose next time. Is that the time I should mark it shoot it and throw it out. Or should one that is rather loose be tossed be for I use it one more time. This is for 260 rem. I all ways shoot under max loads. But I am loading a little hotter in the winter.

Thank you Eric...

 

[fdshuster]

Eric: Anytime I feel less than normal resistance when seating primers (RCBS bench mount priming tool) the suspected case gets tossed.

 

[4xforfun]

Eric: Anytime I feel less than normal resistance when seating primers (RCBS bench mount priming tool) the suspected case gets tossed.

WOW!!

Anytime I feel less than normal resistance when seating primers I keep on using them until the friction of holding them in the promer pocket is overcome by gravity.....THEN they get tossed. ;D

 

[Preacher]

As long as they don't literally fall out, I keep on using them till they do..

 

[FryeGuy]

I have only one instance where primer pockets actually got loose. it was in a 22-6mm ackley. I bought the gun used from a buddy. he gave me some cases. primers fell out after I used them once. I figured he was loading hot, and there was no telling how many times they had been fired. so I started with a fresh batch of brass. I suspect my loads were a little on the hot side too. . I would fireform the case, get 2-3 firings, and they would get loose (that whole gravity thing from earlier posting). it's amazing how much powder it takes to get a 60hp going 4200fps. knock on wood, I don't have loose primers anymore. I use common sense. I also don't push the limits on stuff either. I now shoot more for accuracy than all out speed. something to watch for is the gas ring on your boltface. if you start getting a burn ring on the boltface, you are shooting a hot load or you have loose primer pockets. at that point you gotta change something!

 

[Kingfisher]

I use them until they wont stay in the pocket anymore. I've even been known to use nail polish to hold them in on my 338/378 cases in the past simply because the cases are so expensive I want to get as many firings as I can out of them.

 

[necchi]

I'm with fdshuster,
They slide in easy (with little resistance) they are marked for their last shot and land in the scrap bucket.
I usually run the ragged edge of hot loads, some over book max,,
I want as much integrity as possible when running loads like that.

Yes, brass is getting more expensive, but 50-60 cents ain't worth wrecking my rifle, making my ugly mug uglier or losing a finger.

 

[bench]

A little off topic with the OPs question but if your headspace is correct for your chamber where can they go??
Is it a matter of sealing to the primer pocket to prevent gas leakage??

 

[Luke_NL]

... it's amazing how much powder it takes to get a 60hp going 4200fps... I also don't push the limits on stuff either.

4200 sounds pretty bleeding fast 8)

 

[jonbearman]

Bench,you are right because if it is barely in there you could get gas leakage causing serious harm to the bolt face.

 

[CaptainMal]

Just had one fall out of my Dasher in a shoot last Saturday. It was one of two misses for me and that cost.

Anyhow, there was no gas leakage to the bolt face. Checked the case and found a crack around the head between the body and the rim ( I know it's rimless but there is a rim). Miked that head and it was at least .006" larger and would not even fit in a shell holder.

??? could not figure it out. Threw it out. Those Lapua cases have about 14 loadings.

WOLF primers are a bit larger and if I see more looseness, I might switch primers, check and see if that gets a few more loadings.

 

[Quinc]

I have only had one fall out so far and it was on 223 LC 0 brass that I found at the range. Couldn't figure out why there was powder all over my press than I found the intact primer on the floor, I threw the rest of them away. :-\