Primer pocket tightener?

[284guy]

Are you guys really so poor tight, thrifty, poor, that you have to go to such crazy lengths to save a few cents worth of brass?

 

[Phred]

Yes. I prefer thrifty. I'm a retired precision machinist. I know if something metallurgical is safe or reasonable to use. One day when you get old and poor like me, you might change your ways too.

 

[gmerkt]

My personal policy is to scrap cases with stretched primer pockets. A stretched primer pocket is not a good indicator of the general health of that case. After all, the case was subjected to high enough pressures to expand the pocket, maybe other damage has occurred. Such that mere visual inspection wouldn't reveal it. I won't mention the concept of conventional wisdom because there are just too many unconventional people.

Over-sized primer pockets can leak plasma-cutting gases that etch the face of the bolt. Replacing fatigued cases is cheaper than replacing a bolt.

Dealing with over-sized primer pockets can be frustrating for a hand loader from a technical standpoint. I don't need the aggravation.

As others have said, less than heavy loads prolongs the life of brass cartridge cases.

 

[old11bravo]

I buy my primer pocket tighteners in the same aisle where the cans of squelch are located for my radio.

 

[CLT65]

I save the crimps that I remove from GI brass primer pockets, and just use them to tighten up loose pockets.

 

[Alvrez]

trashed, how many reloads on the brass ? if only 2-4 reloads you or someone needs to back down on the powder atleast a few tenths of a grain. ive got brass with over 10 reloadings that still have plenty tight pockets, and obviously a few brass with loosing pockets from looking for the top end of a load when developing that new load or bullet combo. other things to look for causing pressure spikes are crimps, dont use them unless you HAVE to. case stretch causing end of brass to self crimp in the end of the chamber, winter developed load shot in summer heat with temp sensitive powders etc . hoping your brass has that 6 to 10 reloadings before experiencing loose pockets..

Thanks for all the advice folks, I do hope Bubba is still alive. I only have a few loose pockets at around 8-10 firings (5 out of 200 pieces with loose primers) Otherwise the brass looks fine, I inspect with a borescope after each firing. Really not a significant number, was just wondering if there was a quick fix. Turns out the quick fix is recycle.

My loads do run a little above the max in the book but there is very little pressure sign except for the few loose primers and no blow by. Next time I shoot some I'll post pics for everyone's amusement. I haven't been to the range for a while because I'm a weather wimp.

 

[284guy]

My loads do run a little above the max in the book but there is very little pressure sign except for the few loose primers and no blow by.

Which is it? Are they above max, or do they show very little signs of pressure? It can't be both. 8-10 firings is a lot for rifle brass, even at lower pressure loads. There's really no good reason to load that hot. They are rarely accurate loads, and why incur all the wear on your brass/gun? None of this makes sense.

 

[partsed]

Take a ball-peen hammer to them pockets!

With or without a new primer in the pocket??

 

[elsie]

There is a tool specifically for this, both large and small pockets. I've tried them and it does work but you have to be on the lookout for other indications of case failure. I would say that of the cases I've used it on, it has increased the longevity by about 50%.

https://www.mountsplus.com/case-saver-primer-pocket-swage-large-punch-anvil-set.html


elsie

 

[Whisky Tahoe]

I have some brass for 6.5 creedmoor, 300aac, and 5.56 that is essentially good re-useable brass except the primers almost fall out.

Does anyone know of a tool to shrink (AKA tighten) the primer pockets?

As many have said, loose pockets are to be avoided. You can get brass for your 6.5CM with small rifle pockets. Those who shoot a lot have found the pockets don't loosen as much as Large Rifle pockets.

 

[gmerkt]

Re. post #31, above. The advertisement for the MSP "case saver" primer pocket swage says, in part, "This process can be repeated as often as the primer becomes loose greatly extending the life of the case." Which makes me think they believe there is nothing else going on with gradual case fatigue beyond primer pocket stretch. In my mind, that's a risky assumption.