Primers coming out.

[HAWKEYE10]

A friend is having a problem with CCI primers coming out on some 9mm brass. Some are falling out on their on while others come part of the way out. He is using range pickup and brass marked "FC" is one that he is having trouble and another is brass marked "POF". Don't get me wrong they aren't all coming out just a few but that is to many. We sure could use some advice about this. Don

PS This doesn't look like military brass that has had a crimp and he isn't cleaning the primer pockets.

 

[Titegroups]

At my range the stuff laying on the ground is there sometimes because it was last time they wanted to reload it.

 

[OKFC05]

If you want to use "range trash brass," you have to get really good at sorting out the worn-out scrap.
The primer pockets on your pickup brass are enlarged, and the brass is scrap.

 

[Kelly Green]

Sounds like enlarged primer pockets. Try using new or once fired brass and see if that doesn't cure the problem. Like Titegroups said, some of that range brass is on its last leg.

 

[Peter_S]

At my range the stuff laying on the ground is there sometimes because it was last time they wanted to reload it.

Does it have a black X marked at the base? If so it was probably mine Just kidding.

When a primer seats too easily I mark the cartridge with an X at the base so I know not to use it again.

 

[Rule3]

FC is Federal Cartridge

POF is Pakistan Ordinance Factories (BIG, big company)

Regardless, what others stated, probably wore out and tired

 

[W.E.G.]

I was unaware that any boxer-primed Pakistani 9mm was in North America.

The "large-font" Federal brass is well known for this very problem in .223 ammo.
Big font = bad for reloading
Small font = OK for reloading

 

[tappedandtagged]

If I had a bad one on the range, I bent the mouth shut immediately as to not confuse it and reload it again. But then again, I'm also only reloading for revolvers and a couple rifles, so I'm not having to pick it up off the ground.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I guess things change. I have been loading for hand gun since 1980 and have not bought new brass except for 44 magnum or maybe a few 357's and I have not had any problems using range pickup's. Seems I have been lucky. Don

 

[Rule3]

I guess things change. I have been loading for hand gun since 1980 and have not bought new brass except for 44 magnum or maybe a few 357's and I have not had any problems using range pickup's. Seems I have been lucky. Don

Unless you have seen him load, all this is of course speculation. I have not had a problem with any brass either and I am a range rat.

Maybe he is not seating them properly? Who knows?

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Unless you have seen him load, all this is of course speculation. I have not had a problem with any brass either and I am a range rat.

Maybe he is not seating them properly? Who knows?

Well I guess you are right Rule. The bullet he showed and let me bring home today did have some problems. I used a bullet puller to get the bullet out and was able to get the primer out without punching it out. What I found was the flash hole was torn and a piece of brass was sticking out toward the rear of the shell. What a mess!!! He told me at the range today that he could load a 100 rounds of 9mm in a little over 30 minutes with a Lee Turret press. I think that is where the the problem is. I have always used a Lyman turret press and I can't come near that number. I know one thing I am not going to shoot any of his reloads. Don

 

[Rule3]

Well I guess you are right Rule. The bullet he showed and let me bring home today did have some problems. I used a bullet puller to get the bullet out and was able to get the primer out without punching it out. What I found was the flash hole was torn and a piece of brass was sticking out toward the rear of the shell. What a mess!!! He told me at the range today that he could load a 100 rounds of 9mm in a little over 30 minutes with a Lee Turret press. I think that is where the the problem is. I have always used a Lyman turret press and I can't come near that number. I know one thing I am not going to shoot any of his reloads. Don

I would stay far away when he is shooting.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It sounds like the range brass he found this time was left there for a reason. Like said above, it sounds like that brass is tired and should be in the scrap bucket...

 

[Titegroups]

Sounds like a guy whos trying to impress others with how fast, bad way to start out reloading, I surly wouldn't fire any of his ammo.

 

[TSQUARED]

You might be picking up brass which has been fired with 9mm Majot loads. A number of shooters are loading 9mm Major and leave their brass behind. The 9mm Major shooters loads are ca 20% above recommended 9mm loads and generate a lot of pressure which can open up the primer pockets. Since the introduction of 9mm Major loads in open guns i avoid picking up 9mm brass which is not mine unless it is once fired.

 

[mikld]

From what I've read so far I can't determine when the primers are coming out. Are they loose when they go in? Do they fall out during normal handling? Or do they come out when fired?

 

[HAWKEYE10]

From what I've read so far I can't determine when the primers are coming out. Are they loose when they go in? Do they fall out during normal handling? Or do they come out when fired?

He puts his loaded rounds in a bag loose and is finding the primers and powder laying in the bottom of the bag as he is using them. Don

 

[arjay]

Maybe he should part with a few bucks and get some new brass

 

[MrApathy]

cheaper to buy new ammo and save the brass after shooting.

 

[Steve C]

When you prime the brass the feel when the primer is inserted usually tells the story on how loose or tight the primer pocket is. If the pimer slips in without any resistance then you'd better check to see how well they stay in the case.

If you get a batch where the primers almost drop into the pocket you need to discard those cases.

Now that your friend has had this experience he should be aware of the problem and pay more attentlion in the loading process as to how things "feel". Progressive presses reduce the feedback you get compared to a single stage or hand primer but you should still be able to tell is the primer has less than normal resistance when seated.