Removing primer pocket crimp

[juststarting]

Hi All

I have roughly 100 Hornaday cases that seems to have a crimp in the primer pocket. At first I thought, hrmm, I don't think it's a crimp (never actually seeing one before) - this is when I learned that removing a live primer is indeed possible, albeit a little stressful.

Anyhow, since I've never removed crimps before, what should I go with? I've been reading (AKA watching YouTube) about swager die which seems a bit easier to use than a pocket reamer tool. All in all though, clueless.

Anyone wishing to offer an opinion on what and how is definitely welcome.


Thanks

[Baldrick314]

I just use the case mouth deburring tool to do mine. You know the little torpedo looking one? The pointy end of that does a good job, just try not to overdo it. A couple light turns will work

[juststarting]

Baldrick314, will try.

[brett1868]

What leads you to think it's crimped? The only Hornady ammo I'm aware of that has crimped primers is their 750Gr AMAX 50BMG because they supply that to the U.S military for sniper operations. Possibly they crimp others I'm not aware of, a pic of the primer pocket would be nice. Is there a ring around the brass about .5mm from the primer edge or divots at regular intervals? What caliber? The swage tool is great if you're doing a lot of rounds but as Baldrick says, a few light turns of the neck deburer should do the trick as well. I have one of the RCBS tools below which should work fine. Just don't over do it. For the 50 brass I use a purpose built tool and a cordless drill to remove the crimp, pain in the ass and very time consuming.

[Apollo]

I think a photo might be required....???

Like Brett, I have never heard of or seen any Hornady Case that has a crimped primer. I'll have to look at my .204R Cases being the only Hornady cases I own. I would think that .223R & .308W would be the only one's since they are the military calibres.

Federal yes, those that make ammo for military & crimp primers but Hornady are not one of those as far as I have ever seen.

Anyhow, it's easy to remove the burr from a crimped primer by any means. Drill bit, swager, neck tool as mentioned etc.

Boy, aren't you having fun learning about reloading. Another 20 years down the track and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.....!!

[Herdsman]

I just use the case mouth deburring tool to do mine. You know the little torpedo looking one? The pointy end of that does a good job, just try not to overdo it. A couple light turns will work

Or a primer pocket uniformer is $40 and you can't over do it with one of those.

[Baldrick314]

Or a primer pocket uniformer is $40 and you can't over do it with one of those.

I thought primer pocket uniformers just flattened the floor of the pocket?

[lole]

I thought primer pocket uniformers just flattened the floor of the pocket?

I don't use one myself but thought that, being the correct width the pocket should be, if it's got a slight crimp the uniformer would take it off on the way into the pocket.

[juststarting]

Update:
http://myshootingjourney.com/2015/12/12 ... ady-brass/

[brett1868]

Or a primer pocket uniformer is $40 and you can't over do it with one of those.

I thought primer pocket uniformers just flattened the floor of the pocket?

Correct..there are 2 tools involved with primer pockets, with each having a different function.

Primer Pocket Uniformer as the name suggests cuts the primer pocket to a uniform depth and squares it to the shell base but it doesn't chamfer the edge. You'd be surprised just how out of square some pockets can be. The idea behind this is to provide a uniform flash into the charge to improve burn consistency.



The crimp can be removed in either of 2 ways, by swaging or by a tool similar to the uniformer. Essentially it cuts a slight chamfer which removes the crimp and allows easier seating of the primer. The neck deburrer just happens to do almost the exact same thing.


The swager is recommended of you're doing a lot of this type of thing due to the speed cases can be processed. Brass is malleable and can be pressed to the right shape with a little pressure which is why the tool is a press of sorts.

[Bills Shed]

Hi All

I have roughly 100 Hornaday cases that seems to have a crimp in the primer pocket. At first I thought, hrmm, I don't think it's a crimp (never actually seeing one before) - this is when I learned that removing a live primer is indeed possible, albeit a little stressful.

Anyhow, since I've never removed crimps before, what should I go with? I've been reading (AKA watching YouTube) about swager die which seems a bit easier to use than a pocket reamer tool. All in all though, clueless.

Anyone wishing to offer an opinion on what and how is definitely welcome.


Thanks

As others have said there are two tools for primer pockets, uniform tools and crimp removing tools. The deburring tool works and I have used a variety of gear over the years. One that is bolted to the bench at the moment is the Lyman brass prep set. It is very effective on crimps, you can not over do it, takes only a little room on the bench and is very well priced.
I do prefer the Sinclair carbide primer pocket uniform tool myself but the Lyman is a great option in one setup for the other tasks.
Hornady did crimp primers on the 17 hornet loaded factory ammo (yes I have some) but that is the only calibre that I know of that they do it for. They were having a few dramas with primers and the brass so they decided to crimp them. I have some new brass from them since then and it fine. They picked their game up since then.
Bill

[Bills Shed]

Hi All

I have roughly 100 Hornaday cases that seems to have a crimp in the primer pocket. At first I thought, hrmm, I don't think it's a crimp (never actually seeing one before) - this is when I learned that removing a live primer is indeed possible, albeit a little stressful.

Anyhow, since I've never removed crimps before, what should I go with? I've been reading (AKA watching YouTube) about swager die which seems a bit easier to use than a pocket reamer tool. All in all though, clueless.

Anyone wishing to offer an opinion on what and how is definitely welcome.


Thanks

As others have said there are two tools for primer pockets, uniform tools and crimp removing tools. The deburring tool works and I have used a variety of gear over the years. One that is bolted to the bench at the moment is the Lyman brass prep set. It is very effective on crimps, you can not over do it, takes only a little room on the bench and is very well priced.
I do prefer the Sinclair carbide primer pocket uniform tool myself but the Lyman is a great option in one setup for the other tasks.
Hornady did crimp primers on the 17 hornet loaded factory ammo (yes I have some) but that is the only calibre that I know of that they do it for. They were having a few dramas with primers and the brass so they decided to crimp them. I have some new brass from them since then and it fine. They picked their game up since then.
Bill

[juststarting]

Thanks for the tips. I posted an update to my crimping adventure, above. Mentioned that I did buy a swager die and that I am reasonably sure that Hornady 308 brass is crimped (at least the a-max and white tale cartridges).

[Wobble]

Hornady did crimp primers on the 17 hornet loaded factory ammo (yes I have some) but that is the only calibre that I know of that they do it for.

I wonder why they bothered for the 17HMR

[Apollo]

17HMR is a Rimfire....

Think you might perhaps mean Hornet... Not to worry...

[Wobble]

17HMR is a Rimfire....

Think you might perhaps mean Hornet... Not to worry...

Yes sorry... brainfart/auto pilot response.

I meant Hornet but typed HMR as it's the .17 that's being spoken about 99% of the time.