I started to prime a new bag of Starline 44 SPCL today and the primer
pockets were VERY tight. I did 50 and then called it quits. Instead of a push and compress, it took a really big effort and then the primer snapped in.
I reamed a few pockets and that helped a little. My main concern is that if I
load and fire this brass will the decapping pin be damaged upon resizing.
Or will the pockets loosen up after the first firing.

I am using an RCBS bench primer. I later loaded up some new 45Colt with
Starline brass and the same primers without any issues. So my equipment
is OK. Thanks, Willyboy

If you have an RCBS primer pocket swager you might try a couple to see if it remedies the problem

Just a thought

Try at least one other primer from a different maker. If that one is also very difficult to seat, contact Starline. They will probably replace the brass.

Yes, I tried Winchester LPP after the Rem 2 1/2 were so tight. The Winchester’s were very tight too. I sent Starline a note so we will see what
they say.

Thanks all for the input, Willyboy

I've run Starline .44 mag and 10mm auto, without problems. Using RCBS bench primer like you are doing. Starline is top of the line stuff and you should have no problems with any USA made primer. I'm suspecting an out of spec run of brass and I'd call Starline.

I doubt the decapping pin will be damaged.

The pockets will loosen up the more you shoot the brass.

I've had some on occasion that were a pain to prime to but they get better.

Have you tried priming off the a universal priming arm on the press? That's the only way I seat primers. Plenty strong.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

Awhile ago had a hard time priming new starline 44mag brass with S&B primers. Tried Winchester and they were no better. A primer pocket uniformer tool helped, but still hard to prime. Second loading they got easier.

I've never damaged a decapping pin on a primer, although I have punched right through a few over the years. But an off-center flash hole is another story and will turn a decapping pin into an accordian.

I have noticed that certain brands of .38 Special brass have tight primer pockets, most notably (but not exclusively) S&B. I generally ream them. I have a primer pocket swage set also, but I prefer reaming them. I also use a larger drill bit (by hand) to lightly chamfer the primer pocket mouth, and that helps. It needs to be done only once, and it doesn't take much time.

I once came into a supply of several hundred WWI .45 ACP REM-UMC GI brass cases. Apparently at that time, the original primers used were somewhat smaller than standard LP diameter, enough so that it was impossible to seat normal LP primers. I had to ream and chamfer all of those, which was a little difficult. It took a lot of reaming.

Breaking the decapping pin should not be a concern

Many years ago I acquired primer pocket swaging tools for both large and small primer pockets. I was using a lot of military surplus ammo and brass at the time so these were very handy for dealing with the crimped-in primers.

Over the years I have found several lots of brass with unusually tight primer pockets, and the swaging tool remains handy from time to time.

As SMSgt mentioned above, I have punched right through a number of primers with the decapping pin, and I have also experienced off-center flash holes that will break the pins. I always keep extra pins on hand.

Thanks for all the advice. I will probably load the brass up and shoot it and then see if the pockets loosen up after the first firing. Willyboy

Willyboy, I've had some pretty tight primer pockets in the past and they did loosen up a little after the first load shoot cycle. BTW, have you tried any primers that are nickel plated like CCI primers? I know the Winchester primers aren't plated any more but I am not sure about the Remington 2 1/2 being nickel plated. I have some Remington 5 1/2 SPP that are nickel plated but I also have some 9 1/2M LR Mag primers that are not nickel plated.

Primer Pocket too tight ....
First use a Primer Pocket Reamer...
Followed by a Primer Pocket Uniformer...
Small hand tools from Lyman , CH4D and every other maker.

That will take care of the diameter and depth .
I sit down and do every case before I even think about reloading them...and if I find a loose primer pocket ...it gets tossed out the bunch .
No big deal it's all part of case prep and inspection every reloader should do .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I've tried other tools but still prefer my hand held RCBS primer pocket reamers that I've had since the early 1970s. Unlike my similar Lyman reamers they cut a nice chamfer. They took a tiny amount off the walls of some GI primer pockets so they should enlarge tight pockets in commercial brass. They are still cheap.

Now I hope I can be forgiven for straying off topic. I have a question that I'm betting DeWalt can answer. I bought a used RCBS Junior press that came with an RCBS primer pocket swaging set. The set includes a ram for the Junior press that is not used for any other purpose. The press came with four primer seating stems, two sizes, one in each size for flat and rounded primers. The press has the old aluminum primer catching tray. How old is this stuff?

I bought a new RCBS Jr. in 1971, a step up from the R.F. Wells press that I got in 1964. The Jr. came with an aluminum cup for catching primers. It was supposed to be held on with a rubber band. I used the press for many years and finally traded it off at a gun show. Can't remember whether I ever used the aluminum cup.

As for the RCBS primer pocket swager, I have one that I'm pretty sure is from the '60s. I've used it recently. Many whine about this swaging tool, but I think the complaints are from those who don't take the time to adjust these tools properly. May not be the fastest tool and certainly not ideal if you're doing thousands of cases at a time, but they work well once properly set.

I wondered how the aluminum primer catching tray was supposed to be attached. I use a rubber band but I assumed there must have been a more durable part that was missing.

A couple of the local gun stores that I like to visit sell used reloading tools. They price them to sell fast. I assume they buy a lot of the reloading tools from widows who sell their dear departed's gun collection. Some of the single stage presses probably come from reloaders who upgraded to progressive presses. Youngsters who are starting out on a tight budget like most of us did would be smart buying old used tools.

The tool you want is the Sinclair primer pocket uniformer. Chuck it in a cordless drill and run it into the primer pocket for about one or two seconds, problem solved.

I do all my brass with the uniformer and I love it.

Starline brass has a primer tighter fit when new that will loosen up some after one or a few firing,depending on the pressure involved in your load.That's something I've experienced too.
Starline is top quality in my book and is the only brass I now buy for all my needs.Very uniform product.

I use a lot of range pick-up brass for bulk reloading and a Lee chamfer tool works for me. A few turns smooths out the primer pocket edges and will work for crimped pockets as well with a bit more turning. A bit awkward to use but it's a small, inexpensive hardened steel piece.