Tight Primer Pockets

[exnodak]

Using range pickup brass in 9mm Para, I found that the primer pockets in S&B and RWS brass are very tight. Primers are not crimped as far as I can tell, but I found it very difficult to seat a new CCI primer in most of these cases. I just don't bother with these two brands any more because of the hassle.
Has anyone else had the same experience, or did I just run into some bad cases?

 

[Culina]

Tight is good, as far as primers go. But yeah, the primer tension varies from headstamp to headstamp.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

Lots of people just throw away S&B brass because of those tight primer pockets. Fortunately for me, I have an old RCBS bench mounted priming tool, which works just fine on those tight primer pockets.

 

[jepp2]

Has anyone else had the same experience, or did I just run into some bad cases?

Not bad brass, just normal. I like the S&B brass, but since I have a primer pocket swager for military brass, I just swage the S&B brass before my use.

You second complicating factor is CCI primers. They tend to be harder than others. Taken together with the brass, makes for harder primer seating.

 

[Alk8944]

S&B and RWS cases are both excellent, just slightly tighter primer pockets. When dealing with such small items a difference in diameter of .0005" makes the difference between loose and tight. Try Federal or Winchester primers instead.

 

[Treeman]

S&B are tight but the "problem" is that they are not only tight, they are not beveled at the pocket mouth. Turn a case chamfering tool a couple of times in those S&B and RWS cases and they will still be snug but you won't crush/deform primers in seating. Very Good brass once 'adjusted'.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I range-pick brass for .38 and .357 and have noticed some primer pockets are somewhat harder to load than others with CCI Primers, using an RCBS Bench Tool. They just need more of a push. Federal primers, however, load easier with any brass.

 

[SMSgt]

That's odd. I use a Lee hand primer and I've noticed that all other brand cases have loose primer pockets.

 

[JoeHatley]

I've had the same problem of tight or crimped primer pockets with some range pickups. I use a Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer mounted in my RCBS Trim Mate. Solves the problem in about 2 seconds per case. The reamer is only $9 and they sell a handle if you don't have a power tool to mount it in.