loose primer pockets

clearwater

Handloader
Feb 5, 2005
737
719
Plinking with some old cast bullets. 25-270, 80 grain cast bullets, 12 grains Unique.

One failed to fire.

Buddy shows me there is no primer in the cartridge???

Look into the cartridge box.

IMG_6992.jpeg

I knew the primer pockets were a bit loose---
 
Checked the primers
Old Federal from wooden trays are seating more easily than modern ones in new brass

perfect storm
 
Tighten them pockets up. It is easy......if they are slated for minimum pressure loads.
 
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A couple years ago I picked up a brick of Unis Ginex Large Rifle primers at a reasonable price to use in my 308 on my gongs. They are rather tight fitting in both Federal nickel plated and Remington brass cases. They shot well but I don’t like the force required to seat them.
This might be an option for those cases with loose primer pockets.

JD338
 
Good ideas

This batch has many firings and I have lots of brass in this caliber so I don't mind discarding the few and just use the old primers for cast low pressure loads.
 
I can't enlarge the pic , but what I can see , it does not look like they are leaking gas around the primers . I'd try to tighten them for these low PSI loads . put a little fingernail polish on the head stamp , so you can keep track of them .
 
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