Alpha Munitions primer pockets too tight?

[Lawnboi]

Let us know what you figure out.

Options are to ream them, or fire them and see if it gets better. My 6 creek alpha was right as well but I did not have issues seating flush.

 

[Deplorable77]

I have 300 virgin Alpha Munitions 6mm CM SRP pieces of brass to load up. Using my Primal Rights primer I am getting dented primer pockets. I reached out Primal rights to make sure I was not missing anything. I also reached out to Alpha who suggested to walk the primer in slowly to make sure I was not crushing the primer by bottoming it out. Even with the primer still standing proud I am getting dented Primers. I have tried both CCI and Gold metal match primers. Has anyone seen this and if so what was the solution?

I seriously doubt its the Alpha brass. They are a known and respected reputable business with excellent QC. I have the the same CPS and it smashes primers randomly regardless of pocket dimensions. The problem is how sloppy the Primal Rights Competition Primer Seater is manufactured. The undersized seating pin floats in an oversized hole that allows it push the primer in at random angles. Sometimes it pushes flush on the face, sometimes it is canted and dents the primer. Add in that they use Lee auto shellholders with no locating pins, the case just randomly floats until the primer makes contact and it's a crap shoot on what angle it will actually start seating in the pocket. Sometimes straight, most times not, so you get dented primers.
@NevadaMike. I had the exact same issues and a few more with the CPS. After multiple unanswered emails and phone calls to GREG DYKSTRA aka @ ORKAN aka PRIMAL RIGHTS trying to resolve my problems, I posted a thread on a similar forum asking advice from others who may have had the same issue. He created an account and instantly went on the offensive defending his products claiming I was bashing his life's work and offered a multitude of hollow generous resolutions in that thread. I again emailed, phoned, pm'd . Nothing, no reply, no refund, no shipping tag to get a warranty evaluation. NOTHING. I even reached out a year + later. NOTHING . Here are a few pics of 4x fired brass that the pockets were depth corrected and still got seated with a dent by the CPS . And yes, dented, crooked primers will mess up your ES/SDView attachment 855108

 

[SlimCreaper25]

I've had this problem on 200 pieces of Alpha 25 creed brass. I've just shot the shit out of it and forgotten about it at this point. Doesn't seem to change much. Still get SD of 5-7 and ES of 25 over long strings in my NRL rig. I was worried about it at first but haven't really seen any issue because of it. Still does it after 9 firings using a Frankford Arsenal Hand Priming Tool. I debated selling it because this issue but sounds like it doesn't matter what tool you use.

Photo is after 9x fired brass.

 

[id_jon]

I've found Alpha primer pockets to be really tight when brand new. Also it sounds like alpha did not suggest using lube per se, but tumbling them in walnut media, which will make them a bit more slick with the dust.

 

[NevadaMike]

Update. I loaded up 300 rounds and they all had the small dent. They are shooting great without any issues. I’m sure it will get better on the second firing. If not I will report back.

 

[NevadaMike]

Just loaded up 200 second firing with the same seating dent.

 

[Castle Rock]

Remington 7 1/2 primers are on the small side, and are very good, I would give them a try

 

[denisepipkins4]

I’ll do same


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[Alpha Echo]

I just loaded alpha 7mm-08 LRP for the first time and have found the same issue. Hoping they'll loosen up after the first firing, time will tell.

It is worth noting that apparently there is some very small variation in the same size of primer, depending on manufacturer. I found this resource when I was scratching my head as to why I was getting loose pockets on my FC brass after a couple of firings--apparently at least part of the reason is Federal LR primers are on the larger size in terms of diameter.

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/

 

[jja600]

I also have found that the Alpha primer pockets are tight with 25CM srp brass. The top of the primer is getting crushed flat. Groups at 100 yards are great. I am still on the 1st firing. Hopefully it gets better.

 

[Lawnboi]

Has anyone else noticed what appears to almost be a taper in the alpha pockets?

I havnt had any flattening problems. But I do have to give it some muscle when priming my latest batch of dasher brass

 

[Ramem7mm]

I have 400 pieces of 25 CM w/ SRP and everyone was super tight on virgin brass as well as once fired. Using RCBS hand primer and I have to use 2 hands to seat them I'm not a small guy either and its a workout to get them seated.

 

[bpitcher]

Mine were a little tight to begin with, but were fine after the first firing. No issues since.

 

[aquifer]

I stumbled across this thread diagnosing problems I am having with Alpha brass. The brass in question was purchased in 2021 and is LRP 7/08.

The primer pockets are simply too tight. I can literally see the difference measuring with calipers. It’s a good 2-3 thousandths more narrow than the 6+ other brands I checked.

I was eventually able to get primers in after I reamed the crap out of them and destroyed too many primers trying. Some still sit high.

Never again will I buy Alpha. This is downright ridiculous. This brass is expensive and it’s junk if I can’t get a primer in.

 

[Alpha Echo]

I stumbled across this thread diagnosing problems I am having with Alpha brass. The brass in question was purchased in 2021 and is LRP 7/08.

The primer pockets are simply too tight. I can literally see the difference measuring with calipers. It’s a good 2-3 thousandths more narrow than the 6+ other brands I checked.

I was eventually able to get primers in after I reamed the crap out of them and destroyed too many primers trying. Some still sit high.

Never again will I buy Alpha. This is downright ridiculous. This brass is expensive and it’s junk if I can’t get a primer in.

Are they still tight after multiple loadings?

 

[Ramem7mm]

my second firings are still hard to seat. I just did almost 300 pieces last night and my hands hurt afterwards. I still had to use two hands.

 

[aquifer]

Are they still tight after multiple loadings?

I don’t know as this is the first loading.

 

[NevadaMike]

Third firing for me. Thankfully I have a CPS to make it easier but the primers are still dented.

 

[khuber84]

This is pretty normal. I prime on a cps and I can feel a difference between alpha and lapua after 4-5 firings the alpha does get a bit easier. You can get a primer pocket uniforming tool and open up the pocket, but I personally wouldn't recommend that. Alpha brass can take some abuse and not lose a pocket for a long time.

 

[aquifer]

This is pretty normal. I prime on a cps and I can feel a difference between alpha and lapua after 4-5 firings the alpha does get a bit easier. You can get a primer pocket uniforming tool and open up the pocket, but I personally wouldn't recommend that. Alpha brass can take some abuse and not lose a pocket for a long time.

Just to be clear, the batch of Alpha brass I received is not normal. The pockets are simply too narrow to prime correctly. This brass is out of spec and is garbage.

Any benefit from Alpha having a tight primer pocket went out the window the minute they starting shipping garbage product.