I have been experiencing high primers on my .38 Special reloads, to the extent that it ties up the action on my S&W revolvers. This happens about 10% of the time. I haven't been doing any case prep on the pockets in the past. I just de-prime, wash in dish detergent, rinse and dry. I prime when I expand the case mouth on my RCBS Partner press. I have been looking at cutter type pocket prep tools, and have found that the reviews are mixed on all that I have seen. I am looking for a hand tool, as I only do about 200 rounds a month, all .38 Special. I do have a wire brush type tool made for the purpose, but the wires bend and I have found that it doesn't work well for long. Maybe, I am being a little too vigorous! So, I would like to hear what others use, and how they like the tools. Any input appreciated. I am particularly interested in the Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool, as it looks like what I want.

Thanks,
Rick

What's a primer pocket??

All kidding aside. I have never cleaned one. I load pretty much every handgun caliber there is and use Wolf primers to boot, No issues. I would look at some other cause.

OK,I lied, I did do an experiment with 50, 357 Mag cases and the little Lee pocket cleaner thing. I collected the residue over a clear plastic cup, The amount of "stuff" was insignificant.

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Still Running Against the Wind

The only time I bother to clean primer pockets is if I'm reeeeeally bored. I haven't had any problems at in in any caliber I reload. I do have the little primer pocket tool with the cutter edge, which does a decent job of scraping out the residue.

I suspect it may be something in your priming setup more than pocket residue. When I inpsect my cases, it looks like each primer burns out the residue from the previous one.

In 30+ years I've never cleaned a pistol primer pocket so I can't help you with tools. However, I suspect your problem is that you simply aren't seating the primers with enough force for them to contact the bottom of the primer pocket, rather than having primer pockets that are so fouled that the primers won't seat. Visual inspection should tell you if the primers are seated deeply enough.

Sinclair International makes a primer pocker cleaner/uniformer tool. Back when I was a rifle accuracy nut I used one on rifle primer pockets.

I'd agree that non uniform PP's are probably NOT your issue. Unless ALL of your brass is out of spec in that area.

FN in MT

What brand of primers are you using? I've found CCI the hardest and can seat high if you don't use enough force. And that goes for both the RCBS hand and automatic priming tools. Federal primers, however, pop right in with just a fraction of the force necessary with CCI. Because of this I'm using the last of the CCI and have switched to Federal.

Have had not had any problems seating primers with my RCBS Automatic Bench priming tool. I do clean primer pockets, but just throw a Lee primer pocket cleaner in my drill, which has a cruise control feature, just set it so the cleaner is over the edge of my bench and above trashcan, goes pretty quickly.

I clean them with a Lee primer pocket tool. They are very inexpensive. I also prime with a hand primer. I like the feel of it never have a high primer, and it's fast.

I use a RCBS primer pocket brush head in a low rpm power drill, and CCI primers in a RCBS hand priming tool. I also hand inspect every primer, but after tens of thousands of reloads, I have never had a high primer. Single stage reloading is time consuming, but worth it in my opinion to have reliable ammunition.

What he said. If you are going to clean and uniform primer pockets, this tool is the way to go, especially with a cordless drill adapter.

What tool are you using to seat your primers? It sounds like you would benefit from a quality hand held primer seating tool like the ones from RCBS or Hornady.

I almost hate to tell you this but,...I will. It's gonna cost you though. The best way to prime cases isn't with the press, it's with a hand priming tool. I use a RCBS hand priming tool. I know,... I know they don't look like they work but they do. A simple squeeze of the hand and primers are seated perfectly everytime. I'll never prime on the press again.

The price is $40.00 or so. I said it would cost you. Another do-dad for the reloading bench.

Best, Rick

P.S. I never clean primer pockets

Thanks,
I was looking at a Lee Hand Priming tool and had decided it would be a good investment. But, I have some Arthritis in my hands, and am concerned about priming 200 at a time, or even 100. I am good for about 10 double action trigger pulls on my M67 before the pain gets bad. That is why I had decided to stick with the press to load. I may have to rethink a hand press. I like RCBS and will give it a look.

Rick

The little priming device on my RCBS Partner Press seems to bottom out after a certain amount of force. After that, I could tip my heavy bench over and not get any further priming action. The primers were high enough to feel with my fingers at the range. They would not chamber in 2 of my S&W revolvers, but they worked on my M442.

Rick

I am using Winchester primers.
Thanks for the primer info.

Rick

My RCBS Partner Press has a built in device that seats the primer on the up stroke. Then, the case mouth gets expanded on the down stroke. I don't know if this is very common. I have to insert one primer at a time, that is, no auto feed.
I will be looking at a hand held primer, I just need to convince myself that my old, feeble hand will hold up to doing 100 primers at a time.

Rick

Check out this link to a problem I had with winchester primers Could i have had a bad batch of primers???

You don't have a primer, dirty primer pocket, or primer seating problem. You have a brass problem. I just finished loading 8,000 ( YES Eight Thousand) rounds of 45 ACP and and 44 mag ammo on my Dillon 450. I had problems with IMI, S&B, and some Winchester brass that had tight primer pockets with Wolf primers. I used 400 Winchester large pistol primers and had an occasional problem with the same brand of brass.

If arthritis is painful priming, buy the RCBS bench top priming tool.

RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool

It is expensive, but very durable and high quality. Mine is a 1982 model and still running strong. Fortunately with a Dillon 450 upgraded and a 550, I don't use it much except for magnum rifle brass.

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S&WHF 366

Good luck contacting Winchester. I loaded up my first .243 rounds with some winchester primers. Had 7 out of 20 fail to go off, primer related. Emailed them with the lot number and what I had happen. That was back in May. Still no reply.

The bench priming tool looks like it would be good for my needs. I have a sturdy bench to attach it to. I mount tools like this to 1.5 in thick plywood "planks", and use large clamps to attach them temporarily to my 1.5 in thick wood working bench top.
It seems that reaming brass like you experienced with one of the primer pocket reamers would solve the problem with poor brass dimensions, but, of course, it shouldn't be necessary. The brass wasn't sold as a "kit"!

Thanks,
Rick

Apply more pressure to the primers when seating. You should feel them bottom out and when they do only then are they seated properly. Should be no high primers if you do this.

The bench tool should solve your problems. I have a Lee Auto Prime II tool that mounts where the dies usually go. High primers are a thing of the past. Unfortunately, it's no longer made.

I uniform primer pockets on rifle brass, but with the exception of .223, I usually only load in batches of 50-100. Uniforming, even with power, becomes tedious in short order.

Hi Rick, I was where you are. I had a Lee hand primer, but the thumb lever is very short, and it aggravated my hand and joints. I dreaded the priming step as the worst stage of reloading. The Lee operating lever finally broke, and I looked at alternatives. The RCBS costs twice as much, but it is WAAAY over twice as good. It has a whole hand lever that spreads the load and allows the whole hand to work the lever. My experience says go with the RCBS. From construction viewpoints, it will also last a lot longer. Best money I have spent in a long time. I hope this helps, and best wishes with your reloading. God Bless, Marc

Guess they don't respond to email huh. I just called them on a bad piece of brass that I had got in a new bag for reloading 25-35 WCF. The 5 case I seated split from the neck half way up the opening. Called Winchester and they sent me a UPS shipping label to send back the defective brass, just have to wait now to see how long they will take.

Rick
Here's another vote for the RCBS hand priming tool. My hands are of the older version and I have no problems priming 3-400 rounds in an evening as I sit and chat with my bride or watch the boob tube.
Dave

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

Sinclair Priming Tool | Sinclair Intl

The Rolls Royce of hand priming tools. You will all start in on the expense...and how your RCBS or LEE is no different...But far cheaper.

UNTIL you actually USE one of these...You have NO IDEA! This IS the best of the best.

I used the LEE hand primers for years. To the point that I wore the shellholders out. RCBS used to make a dandy little bench mounted primer tool too. Still use one of those.

The BONANZA presses have a very nice priming system and they sell a bench mounted duplicate too. No shell holders needed. One of the nicest press or bench monted systems going.

So many ways to get a simple task completed.

I couldn't find a phone number at the time! Oh well, I destroyed the remaining 170 primers in that lot and bought some Federal.

A note on the bench top priming system: C4HD makes a priming/ crimp swage combo for just a few more bucks than the RCBS one. I should have mine in the mail today. http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/priming/419000

Are you using the proper primer punch for your RCBS mounted primer tool? There should be a large and small size.

Yes, but I just checked, and the screw was about a half turn loose. I did have to change to the large punch when I was loading some .45 Colt, but all my guns are .38 now.
I cleaned up the area well, in case there was some gunk messing things up.
Thanks, Rick

I only clean primer pockets on my match rifle loads, but that's how I do it. I use either the Hornady hand-priming tool or the Lee.

PM Sent with Winchester Contact phone#.

I've tried the Lee Hand Priming tool, and with my arthritis is was brutal doing large batches. The RCBS Bench mounted tool has saved my wrists a bunch of stress. The only thing that I didn't like about the Bonanza/Forster bench mounted press was how you load the primers in the tube, seemed very slow.

Handled the Sinclair Priming tool, and it was an excellent machined tool; however, to manually set a primer in the primer cup each time seemed like the biggest down fall to the tool.

Rick, The RCBS tool uses all of the fingers of your hand you actually squeeze the whole thing. You can use it two handed if you need too. It doesn't take lots of strength. If your hands hurt it might not work for you.

I do like the looks of that Sinclair though. Hand priming is so much easier, faster and you can watch the Ballgame, just pay attention. I agree with Frank you can prime hundreds of cases in no time. I shoot alot and I keep primed cases in a tupperware or a similar clean container and have never had a problem. Buy good quality, you won't regret it.

Good luck in the pursuit. Please let us know what you choose and how it's working for you. Best Rick

The rcbs hand tool works well unless you have arthritis.Federal primers go in much easier than CCIs.

Thanks for all the good information and suggestions.
I did send for a Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool from Midway. I will give that a try and see what happens. If I still have problems, I will consider new priming methods. If that doesn't work, I will switch to Federal primers. I might do that anyhow, when my Winchester's are gone. The RCBS bench top priming tool looks good, and I really like the design of the Sinclair Hand Priming tool. No wonder these tools are expensive.

Again, thanks to all.
Rick

There is a Sinclair priming tool on FeeBay now, but it'll probably get bid up to what they sell for direct from Sinclair Intl., wouldn't hurt to watch it anyway--never know.

I have a screwdriver ground down for both large and small pockets. Been using this method for over 40 years. Also, I clean every pocket, everytime. Thats what I was taught. Lately I have had limited use of my left hand and have been using compressed air to clean them!

The other expensive alternative is getting a rolling tumbler like a Thumler's model B or RCBS Sidewinder, and getting stainless steel media. This method cleans the primer pockets too, but it is $$$. The plus side is not having to keep buying media and not having to clean primer pockets, negatives are about a $250 investment and having to dry your brass, as you tumble in a wet solution with an agent such as Lemi-Shine.

RCBS makes a "Primer Pocket Uniformer" which is a cutter that fits on their Prep station. I use one for all rifle cases one time when new to obtain exact uniform primer seating. I have seldom ever cleaned, much less reamed a pistol primer pocket, only when I am building a new load for match purposes.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I used the Sinclair as well back when I was shooting silhouettes out to 200 meters. I also have one of those double ended Lee tools and one of those brushes as well....I used to chuck the brush in a drill and let the drill do the spinning for me. About all I shoot now is IDPA using range brass....I don't clean primer pockets anymore.

The only press I've found to give consistent proper seating depth is the Lee Classic Turret. Neither my Rock Chucker or my Pardner press will prime very well. I was shocke the RC wouldn't prime any better than the little Pardner. Not even my much loved LNL AP primes as well as the Classic Turret.

Keep the primer pockets clean. A build up of residue keeps em from seating. I use a little Lee tool for cleaning and have a Lyman tool for removing military crimps and making sure all are uniform...both are simple cheap hand tools.

Try priming with a hand tool , much more sensitive and you can see and feel when a primer is not seated. Also elimates crushing a primer when done with a press....seating to deeply is not good either.

gary

Do and don't clean - depends. But have ALWAYS hand seated primers with an RCBS hand prime tool. Never had a problem.

My guess is your press isn't seating the primer completely...