Its been awhile since I shot any of my 32-20 Smiths or Winchesters and I ran into a reloading problem that I have never encountered. A batch of Starline cases (unused) would not accept the small pistol primers. I am using an old Lee hand primer tool that I have had for many years. I tried CCI, Federal, and some Argentine made primers, but none would seat. I also tried a primer pocket tool to make sure that I did not miss anything. I hate to breakout the Dremal Tool and ream out the pockets. Has anyone encountered this problem. Its like the primer pocket in the brass case is too small. Your thoughts
Difficulty Seating SP Primers for the 32-20
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Call (don't email) Starline; I'll bet they'll swap them out for some good brass, especially since you've tried three brands of primers. A Dremel tool may be the best and fastest way to ruin the brass.
Same thing happened to me last weekend.
New Starline 38SP on my Redding T7. CCI SPP would not seat prox 8 rounds so I used my primer pocket tool and they seated with no hesitation. I don't know...never happened in the past, that I can remember.
New Starline 38SP on my Redding T7. CCI SPP would not seat prox 8 rounds so I used my primer pocket tool and they seated with no hesitation. I don't know...never happened in the past, that I can remember.
Beemer-mark
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RCBS makes a niffy tool for enlarging primer pockets (almost a necessity for .223/5.56). I've never had a problem with Starline with 10's of thousands cases for all kinds of calibers, knock on wood. I check their website routinely and they haven't made any 32-20 brass in at least 3 years, so good luck with them sending you a replacement. Trying to open the pocket with a Dremel tool is just going to give you a lot of throw away brass.
Buy Primer Pocket Swager Combo-2 and More | RCBS
Buy Primer Pocket Swager Combo-2 and More | RCBS
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I have only loaded a few hundred 32-20 but have never experienced the trouble you describe. I used Winchester SPP on all of those I have reloaded.
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I've used the RCBS primer pocket swager for years on GI brass that had a crimped in primer. Will they actually enlarge a primer pocket? I've never tried it but wonder if it would work. Maybe someone has experience with this.
I always thought the tool only removed the crimp and didn't alter the pocket size.
austintexas
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starting out
When I started out reloading I didn't have a lot of equipment and there wasn't a lot of reloading equipment in most sporting goods stores at the time ('62-'64). I was reloading mostly military brass, 9mm, 30-06 and I removed the crimped primer pockets with a sharp pocket knife. Tedious but it got the job done and you only have to do it once.
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When I started out reloading I didn't have a lot of equipment and there wasn't a lot of reloading equipment in most sporting goods stores at the time ('62-'64). I was reloading mostly military brass, 9mm, 30-06 and I removed the crimped primer pockets with a sharp pocket knife. Tedious but it got the job done and you only have to do it once.
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ArchAngelCD
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That was the first answer you got and IMO the best answer in the thread.
Like said, call Starline and explain the problem just like you did here. Do not modify them or they will be worthless.
twodog max
Member
If you have the same Argentine primers I have I had difficulty seating them in used brass. They seem to be a little large. I am using a bench mounted RCBS priming tool. I have experienced this with some S&B primers.
It may be the brass but it also may be your choice of hand priming and the tool not having enough leverage.
It may be the brass but it also may be your choice of hand priming and the tool not having enough leverage.
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Primer Pocket Swager
Thanks for the "head's up" on the RCBS pocket swager. In years past I bought the RCBS old style swager to use on 5.56 military brass and it worked great. Its been years since I used it. I did not think of it for this application. Given that the 32-20 uses the small pistol primer and the 5.56 appears to be the same size, ie. small rifle. It should work. Now!, to find it in my garage. If it does not work, then a call to Starline is in order. I have about 100 cases of bright shiny 32-20 brass. Thanks guys.
Thanks for the "head's up" on the RCBS pocket swager. In years past I bought the RCBS old style swager to use on 5.56 military brass and it worked great. Its been years since I used it. I did not think of it for this application. Given that the 32-20 uses the small pistol primer and the 5.56 appears to be the same size, ie. small rifle. It should work. Now!, to find it in my garage. If it does not work, then a call to Starline is in order. I have about 100 cases of bright shiny 32-20 brass. Thanks guys.
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I've used only American-made primers since 1965. I've used all brands but well over two-thirds have been CCI. Some have been more difficult to seat than others, but they have all seated.
I can't criticize foreign-made primers as I've had no experience with them. As for priming tools, I've used many but for the last five or so years have used a 21st Century one-at-a-time hand priming tool, and I do a good bit of priming.
There are some cheap tools available and there is at least one I've used that required more effort than necessary to seat a primer. However, I think it would be a very rare circumstance where a priming tool could be blamed for an inability to seat a primer, other than a worn-out Auto Prime that won't FULLY seat a primer - a very common problem with this tool.
I can't criticize foreign-made primers as I've had no experience with them. As for priming tools, I've used many but for the last five or so years have used a 21st Century one-at-a-time hand priming tool, and I do a good bit of priming.
There are some cheap tools available and there is at least one I've used that required more effort than necessary to seat a primer. However, I think it would be a very rare circumstance where a priming tool could be blamed for an inability to seat a primer, other than a worn-out Auto Prime that won't FULLY seat a primer - a very common problem with this tool.
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I earlier posted a question about the capability of enlarging a primer pocket with this tool because someone suggested it would work for that purpose. The question has gone unanswered but, as I think about it, I don't believe it will enlarge a primer pocket. By design, it shouldn't. If you find that it does enlarge a primer pocket, please advise.
Model19man
Member
Sounds like a Starline problem. I just finished a batch of 32 WCF with no issues. None of my cases were Starline.
If the problem is getting the primer started try this. The shell holder may not be keeping the shell perfectly centered so the primer isn't centered in the cup. Try moving the shell around a bit and see if it goes right in. I have that problem sometimes with 38 special and that trick works. I think shell holders are designed to work with several different calibers and sometimes the fit isn't as good as you would like. If you're like me I've accumulated a lot of shell holders so see if you have another one that fits better.
GypsmJim
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I reload 32-20 for a handgun, so this thread piqued my interest. I referred back to my goto loading manual, Lyman.
They list 32-20 handgun loads as well as 32-20 Rifle loads. They are very different in "power". The rifle loads list SRP and the handgun loads require SPP. The powders are also quite different.
Then, I looked up the Starline web site. (also my goto for brass) They list 32-20 under their rifle bras, and also 32-20 under their handgun brass. Both have the same part number and both also specify "small pistol primers".
After many years of experience with Starline (now I won't buy another brand of brass) I suspect that misalignment of the priming tool might have been the culprit. I certainly can attest to that in my own experience. Nevertheless, a standard primer pocket reamer (I have both small and large) should settle the issue without hurting the brass.
I have only needed to use a reamer with military brass that had crimped in primers. If the reamer does indeed solve the problem, THEN a call to Starline is in order.
Regardless, I have also checked brass primer pockets using the tool and found that no shavings were made. If that test shows it then the cases were good in the first place.
They list 32-20 handgun loads as well as 32-20 Rifle loads. They are very different in "power". The rifle loads list SRP and the handgun loads require SPP. The powders are also quite different.
Then, I looked up the Starline web site. (also my goto for brass) They list 32-20 under their rifle bras, and also 32-20 under their handgun brass. Both have the same part number and both also specify "small pistol primers".
After many years of experience with Starline (now I won't buy another brand of brass) I suspect that misalignment of the priming tool might have been the culprit. I certainly can attest to that in my own experience. Nevertheless, a standard primer pocket reamer (I have both small and large) should settle the issue without hurting the brass.
I have only needed to use a reamer with military brass that had crimped in primers. If the reamer does indeed solve the problem, THEN a call to Starline is in order.
Regardless, I have also checked brass primer pockets using the tool and found that no shavings were made. If that test shows it then the cases were good in the first place.
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venomballistics
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RCBS primer pocket swage die can be your friend.
OP
Up Date on Primer Pockets
I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed misalignment of the old Lee hand primer tool that is my problem. Several weeks ago I remember dropping it on the concrete floor. I can not see the misalignment, however it is there. I have tried all of the above suggestions along with using it on several different caliber applications. None of them would take the primer, so I went online and ordered a new Lee hand primer. At least I got 25 years of use out of the old one and I don't need any new brass. Thanks for all your comments. You helped me make the decision!
I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed misalignment of the old Lee hand primer tool that is my problem. Several weeks ago I remember dropping it on the concrete floor. I can not see the misalignment, however it is there. I have tried all of the above suggestions along with using it on several different caliber applications. None of them would take the primer, so I went online and ordered a new Lee hand primer. At least I got 25 years of use out of the old one and I don't need any new brass. Thanks for all your comments. You helped me make the decision!
That was going to be my first suggestion as GypsmJim already suggested. Check your hand primer, since things can go wrong with them. Personally, I do not like them and now only deprime & prime with my Rockchucker press with a feeder tube setup. An error in Starline manufacturing process of that magnitude and getting out for sale would be extremely unlikely.
To check your theory, try to prime another small caliber case like 32 Long, etc. as it should not load any case properly.
To check your theory, try to prime another small caliber case like 32 Long, etc. as it should not load any case properly.
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Get a good quality hand priming tool and you don't have to worry about any misalignment, cheap parts wearing out, shellholders with a lot of slop, etc. Amortized over its lifespan, a good quality tool won't require replacement and will be ultimately cheaper than buying several lesser quality ones.
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