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Old 03-20-2017, 04:38 PM
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ghawke ghawke is offline
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Default Flash hole size in 45 ACP

Hi all,
I wasn't sure if this is the place for this question or if it it should be in the reloading section, anyway, here goes.
I was cleaning and sorting 45 ACP cases (some range brass) and found one(Winchester) case with a flash hole that is about 1/8" dia. All others are about 5/64" dia.
I recall seeing a pamphlet about Speer plastic bullets (primer only, no powder) that stated: "To prevent primer setback in 45 ACP cases, open the flash holes with a 7/64" drill. CAUTION: Cases so altered must not be used with conventional loads."
My question is what does happen with an oversize flash hole with a conventional load?
Thanks,
Greg
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:44 PM
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Minor case scenario, primer backs out slightly. Worst case scenario, primer blows out completely allowing high pressure gas into the action blowing out through the grips and/or the magazine.

Last edited by texmex; 03-20-2017 at 07:16 PM.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:38 PM
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Remington UMC in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP consistently have flash holes 0.082 inch in diameter, which is the primary reason I prefer Remington cases for reloading. Because I clean my cases in a wet bath using stainless steel pins that are 0.405 inch in diameter and when the flash holes are less than 0.082 inch in diameter you will sometimes find two pins jammed in the flash holes. As a result if I have to resort to purchasing once fired brass at a gun show the first thing I have to do with those cases is run a 0.082 diamter drill through every single flash hole.

BTW, having done this many many times I can tell you that Winchester cases seem to have the largest variation in flash hole diameter with the drill falling into some cases and it taking a bit of effort with other cases. next in line for variation is Federal but a much larger proportion of the Federal cases has flash holes that run small, basically 96% or bit more actually need the drill. Blazer is also very similar to Federal but it's only about a 2% difference with 98% running small. Finally Speer cases are all small and the Speer cases are crimped in a very subtle manner. I've learned the hard way if the case is a Speer or S&B they need to be sorted out for primer pocket reforming and drilling the flash holes.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:00 PM
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if you look at the case it will likely have the letters "NT" on it, for "Non-toxic". It means the primer used DDNT instead of lead styphnate. DDNT is a more violent explosive. If the flash hole isn't made bigger the primer backs itself out of the pocket.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
if you look at the case it will likely have the letters "NT" on it, for "Non-toxic". It means the primer used DDNT instead of lead styphnate. DDNT is a more violent explosive. If the flash hole isn't made bigger the primer backs itself out of the pocket.
Was it Federal or Winchester that had a non toxic primer in the standard marked case? I know that occasionally I will come across one or the other that looks like Bubba took his drill to the case.
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Old 03-21-2017, 12:34 AM
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"It means the primer used DDNT instead of lead styphnate. DDNT is a more violent explosive. "

It's actually DDNP - Diazodinitrophenol. DDNP was used as an impact-sensitive ingredient in some ammunition priming compositions as far back as WWII.
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Old 03-24-2017, 10:25 PM
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Not too long ago I was going through alot of Blazer Brass cased .45 ACP, I had plenty of quality .45 ACP brass and wasn't interested in collecting anymore so I dumped it in the catch can for the junior teams funds. Somebody asked me if I was dumping the Blazer Brass and I told him I was. He said "Some of the Blazer stuff has small pistol primers and presents a problem for some guys." I just told him that was a personal problem and they should sort it out as they pick it up, not my problem. I've been told by more than one person about the small primer issue with Blazer Brass, probably one of the reasons that it is not very popular.
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Old 03-24-2017, 11:06 PM
dswancutt dswancutt is offline
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I must be doing something wrong. All the problem brass such as Blazer, S&B, Herters, CBC gives me no problem at all.
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Old 03-24-2017, 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by dswancutt View Post
I must be doing something wrong. All the problem brass such as Blazer, S&B, Herters, CBC gives me no problem at all.
The same is true for me. I remember too many occasions when primers were nearly impossible to find and there were times when having a stock of 45 ACP SP cases on hand was the difference between being able to reload 45 ACP or not. Because the only LP caliber I load is 45 ACP I always keep a good stock of SP primers on hand.
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Old 03-26-2017, 04:56 PM
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Since this thread on flash hole size is still active I want to add something about 9mm.
Sorting thru some 9 mm brass that was just cleaned I found several that a 0.071 de-priming pin would not go in the flash hole. Found this by eyeballing the hole, then trying the de-priming pin.
Most had a DAG headstamp. Winchester and Speer also were slightly smaller, but the depriming pin still worked.
I guess I would rather find this out by inspecting rather than breaking a depriming pin on my press.

Since I don't know what all the headstamps stand for I found this site. Posting a link:
Headstamp Codes - International Ammunition Association

Last edited by ghawke; 03-26-2017 at 05:03 PM. Reason: add link
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