Q.C. with Federal primers

Thanks all.

As has been the case with every one of my posts and the great responses, I learned something new today. Thanks for the explaination as to the purpose of a primer pocket uniformer. If you will indulge me, I have one other question about it.
Some of the "floors" of my primer pockets, primarily in older cases seem to slope towards the flash hole while others are more parallel to the case rim. I haven't noticed any problems with either configuration and presume repeated priming simply caused the primer pockets to depress towards the center of the case a tiny bit. I presume the primer pocket uniformer will not address this and it sounds like the uniformer only corrects / adjust the diameter of the primer pocket. Is this correct?
 
The uniformer I mentioned in post #19 will also true up the bottom of the primer pocket. If any part of the bottom is too high, it will mill it down to the correct depth. If it is too low, it will not touch it, so you could still have a few low spots if the pocket was out of spec in that direction. I think most of the other uniformers will do the same thing but the Sinclair is the only one I have experience with.
 
Thanks again and additional comment - possibly my last on the subject

Loaded 250 rounds of .45 acp last night. I had 3 bad Federal primers in a row on one card (it was the 6th card in the box of 1000 primers). Two would not seat fully and the third would not seat at all. I discovered the problem with the third one when I tried to install it into my IMI case via my Rock Chucker. The pressure from the press caused the primer to become stuck in my primer arm. What a pain to delicately try to remove a live primer with almost no lip showing outside the primer holder. The sides of the primer holder were so tight that it would not let the side of the primer holder slide down to release the primer. After 30 minutes of struggling to free the primer and decapping the other two, I seated CCI primers in the same exact cases with ease. I suspect the Federal primer was not so tight to prevent falling into the primer holder, but when I raised the press to try to unsuccessfully seat the Federal primer, it caused the primer cup to expand and it got stuck. I believe this will be my first and last box of Federal primers. Perhaps I will give Winchester a try, and if not, then back to my tried and true CCIs.
 
Cases that have flash holes punched out will have a slightly lower center fro the process. That is not a problem. Since that punching deforms the bottom of the hole that might be why primer pockets need informing. DMY get the uniformer Midway might be able to get it to you this week.
 
DYM on your primer unit, is the cup that holds the primer the right cup & plunger. You may have the large cup with the small plunger. Just a thought. ( large rifle & pistol ) ( small rifle & pistol )
 
same same

cw308:
I have only owned and used one RCBS Rock Chucker with the same priming arm, same two primer feeder tubes and until this month, the same brand of primers (CCI large and small pistol primers) since approximately 1981 +/-. My very rough guess is that I have reloaded more than 50,000 rounds of .45 and .38 and probably less than 10,000 rounds of .357s with it. After my little episode with the stuck Federal large pistol primer on Tuesday, I loaded (200) .45 auto rim cartridges on Wednesday night using CCI large pistol primers without any problems, even though my primer holder now has a rough edge (from me using needle nose pliers trying to remove the stuck Federal). All of the CCIs fed properly and seated properly.
 
DMY, give RCBS a call they will send you a new cup & plunger at no charge .I also have the Rockchucke with the RCBS ram priming unit. I install my primers by hand, load maybe 600 a season. Sorry but I just want to get it straight. Do you change the primer holder when loading 45 to 38. You must isn't 38 a small pistol primer.
 
On another thread it was mentioned to check your firing pin spring or striker spring. They do get weak and can cause primer failure.
It doesn't quite add up in this case but it can cause problems.

Good Luck DMY
 
Shout out to RCBS

First, thanks again for your continued responses.

Second, here's a big shout out to RCBS, which is unrelated to my O.P, but I'll get to the post. After using my Lil'Dandy for about 30 years, the plastic hopper cracked a couple of weeks ago due to a rapid temperature change (my theory). A little duct tape held it in place. I sent an email to RCBS on Friday asking whether the hopper can be replaced, and if RCBS sells them. I received a response this morning that they are sending me a new one free of charge. I do not recommend taking advantage of RCBS, but want to take this opportunity to commend them.

Finally, in response to cw308 and longshot4, I did not know they made a primer arm or cup for small pistol primers. I have always used the large pistol primer arm / cup and generally do not have a problem seating small pistol primers with the larger cup. The CCI primers generally seem to center themselves. As to getting a new primer arm from RCBS, I might order one from them. I don't want to take advantage of a good customer service department and ruin it for anyone else with problems which they did not cause.

As to the firing pin spring or striker spring, I have seen plenty of threads referring to the harder CCI primers not igniting on the first strike. I have had this happen on my revolver which is basically stock with a slightly bobbed (i.e.: lightened hammer), but it is somewhat rare. I have never experienced this with CCI primers used in my revolver or semi-auto which use large pistol primers. I might stay with Federals for small pistol primers and use CCIs for my large pistol primers. I will make up my mind as I work through the 1000 box of small pistol primers which I already purchased. So far, 200 out of 200 small pistol primers did ignite on the first try and all of them seated easily.
 
Federal is my go to primer, large and small pistol. The only problems I've ever had was hard seating with Winchester and CCI primers. I won't buy either unless they are the only ones available. I still have 2000 Win. large primers that I have to use and I dread it.
Fed and Remington seat easier.
 
DMY, I'm glad things worked out with RCBS they are a great company. Its never good to take advantage of anyone , your not. I would call and explain the primer cup & plunger situation, dealing with the company that makes the equipment is always the best route. If its chargeable they will charge. Being honest you'll never go wrong. Your priming will be much better with the correct cup & plunger.

Pete2, l just went back to reloading 45acp with Winchester large pistol gold colored primers, they seated just the same as all the others. Hate to bring it up again, uniform your primer pockets and your seating troubles will go away.
 
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