Struggling to seat primers deep enough

[TimberHunter]

Struggling to get primers just below flush when reloading .270 Winchester.

I’ve tried WLR and Fed210 primers in the once shot win brass. Also tried once shot Hornady to see if the win brass was the issue but had the same problem with Hornady brass.

The primer slips into the pocket easily but then it bottoms out and it’s just slightly above flush (feels flush with finger but when you use a straight edge you can see it’s just above flush).

I can get the primers to sit just below flush but it takes a large amount of effort on my single stage Lee precision challenger press. I believe what I’m doing is actually just barely flattening the primer, not pushing it any deeper into the pocket because I believe it’s already bottomed out

I also tried seating both types of primers on brand new brass to see if dirty primer pockets were the issue but had the same issue with the new brass too.

Anyone have this issue? If the gun is bolt action, do the primers need to be below flush?


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[.270]

I always seat the primers right below flush using a hand primer. I haven't had the problem that you are experiencing but I never primed with the actual press. I use the frankford arsenal hand primer that you can adjust your seating depth on the primer. Maybe try using a hand primer instead of the press.

 

[tdot]

First I'd try a primer pocket uniforming tool, but since you've tried new brass, that sounds like it's unkikely to work. Then I'd try a hand priming tool. It seems the Priming Arm on the press is the only common link between all the issues you're having.

You could also look into and adjustments for primer seating depth on the Lee. But I'm pretty sure there aren't any on that press.

 

[ericwh]

Ream primer pockets to spec with a uniformer tool in a cordless drill. Even on new brass it will usually remove material in my experience.

 

[TimberHunter]

Thanks guys, ordered a hand operated pocket uniformer that will be here mid week.

Debating on if I should also order a hand primer and stick with priming on the single stage press


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[BRTreedogs]

Primer pocket uniformer. Even on new brass.
Id suggest not using a power tool. I ruined 100 pcs of brass once trying to be lazy and I have to pull everything and through the brass away.
I hated my hand primer and went back to a press.

 

[SDHNTR]

Hand primer fan here. I want to feel it seat.

 

[TimberHunter]

Ordered Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Perfect Seat Hand Primer to see if that will also help. If not I’ll return it and stick with priming on the press

It would be nice to know/feel when a primer bottoms out and be able to control primer depth


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[ericwh]

Id suggest not using a power tool. I ruined 100 pcs of brass once trying to be lazy and I have to pull everything and through the brass away.

How so?

 

[BRTreedogs]

How so?

I put it on my power case prep station, and its even slow speed.
But you better keep the case square as heck.
If it wobbles at all you will open it up side to side and I had primers loose enough to rattle.

 

[EastMT]

I have 2 hand primer tools and they were getting the primer flush, it was protruding a hair. I put 2 layers of masking tape around the rim of the shell holder to compress the holder down a bit farther, problem solved.


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[ericwh]

Thanks, just want to know what to watch out for.

I have two different cordless drills and noticed one has more runout than the other. So avoiding that one. No problems so far but I have been paying close attention and try not to run it longer than I need to.

I also found the RCBS tool has a larger surface to square the case against whereas Redding is much smaller and easier, in my opinion, to get wobble.

 

[jdubrr]

http://www.xxicsi.com/super-precision-click-head-br-priming-tool.html

This is what I use. Micro adjust and you can feel when the primers are seated

 

[MrTim]

I’ve only used a hand primer, but have never had this issue. Are you cleaning the primer pockets with a wire pocket cleaner? This is the only thing I do to the pockets between firings. Never used a uniformer.

 

[TimberHunter]

I have 2 hand primer tools and they were getting the primer flush, it was protruding a hair. I put 2 layers of masking tape around the rim of the shell holder to compress the holder down a bit farther, problem solved.


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Wouldn’t adding tape add space to the base so that the primer wouldn’t be able to be pushed into the pocket as far?


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[TimberHunter]

I’ve only used a hand primer, but have never had this issue. Are you cleaning the primer pockets with a wire pocket cleaner? This is the only thing I do to the pockets between firings. Never used a uniformer.

No not cleaning the pockets but I tried seating primers on new Hornady brass and had the same issue

I don’t recall having this issue last year when I loaded a batch of 270.


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[rayporter]

i use a 21st century hand primer but i dont think you need that.

hand priming is definitely helpful -you can feel how the primer is goin in and tell when it hits bottom. it is recommended you add 2 thousands crush to the primer to seat the anvil.

not everyone needs to size then clean pockets before priming but i think it is important for accuracy.

 

[TimberHunter]

i use a 21st century hand primer but i dont think you need that.

hand priming is definitely helpful -you can feel how the primer is goin in and tell when it hits bottom. it is recommended you add 2 thousands crush to the primer to seat the anvil.

not everyone needs to size then clean pockets before priming but i think it is important for accuracy.

I’ll be trying the frankford hand primer that allows me to choose seating depth. I’ll start with .002 below flush.

As far as cleaning goes, I’m trying to make very accurate loads so I don’t mind cleaning the pockets. Do I need to buy a pocket cleaner or will the hand operated uniformer I ordered double as a cleaner?


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[Flaboy]

SInce I see you already ordered a pocket uniformer Ill skip to the next topic. Like others have said above, I would get a hand primer also. Ive tried priming both ways, on the press and the hand primer and much prefer the hand primer. You can prime quicker and you can feel how the primer is seating in the primer pocket. If theres alot of resistance Ill set that case aside to give the primer pocket a little more attention.

 

[TimberHunter]

SInce I see you already ordered a pocket uniformer Ill skip to the next topic. Like others have said above, I would get a hand primer also. Ive tried priming both ways, on the press and the hand primer and much prefer the hand primer. You can prime quicker and you can feel how the primer is seating in the primer pocket. If theres alot of resistance Ill set that case aside to give the primer pocket a little more attention.

Ordered a hand primer this morning, frankford that allows me to adjust seating depth so hopefully that paired with the uniformer, fixes my issues.

Any thought that’s the primers may be the issues? Maybe they are too large? I’ve tried WLR and Fed 210


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