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Hi
I am new to reloading and have been loading my first 223 s for next weeks CSR event, I tried to re load the GGG cases I used at the last CSR and I seem to be damaging the primers on a lot some just won't go or are very hard ( to the point of any more pressure and they will go off) and the few that do are damaged and un safe. I am wondering if I need to ream a tiny bit out of the primer seat ? have any of you guys had the same, my other cases seem fine no problems at all ? thanks

Yes you either need to reem or swage the primer pocket. STOP NOW UNTIL YOUVE DONE THIS!

Yes I have stopped :) need to get a tool to do this

Yes, either a reamer or swaging tool.

Dillon 600 swaging tool - does small and large primer pockets . I've done thousands of GGG cases on mine . Ca £120

I have done mine by hand with a cheap Lyman crimp removing tool. The crimp on these GGG seem quite severe (rather than being simply staked) with the ejected primers being quite elongated.

I would also suggest a primer pocket correction tool being run in there as well if you can stomach it, just to make sure they sit properly once seated.

The crimp remover only really touches the mouth, the primer pocket tool goes right down to the flash hole.

I have to admit to doing the flash holes as well, but thats only because the primer pocket tool burrs over the flash hole a tad.

I dont know about the swaging tools, Dillon presses etc, I will keep my eye out if reloading 556 is going to become a habit I have plenty of time and need to keep away from the fridge!!!

I did find that seating a primer after simply de crimping was quite difficult, whereas after doing the pocket it was like priming new brass.

Try a small drop of oil with these tools, it gives a much smoother finish (better primer seal). Its a pain but you really only need to do it once

See you there....I will be the confused looking pleb with a new AR and no idea...apparently

Maggot wrote:I have done mine by hand with a cheap Lyman crimp removing tool. The crimp on these GGG seem quite severe (rather than being simply staked) with the ejected primers being quite elongated.

I would also suggest a primer pocket correction tool being run in there as well if you can stomach it, just to make sure they sit properly once seated.

The crimp remover only really touches the mouth, the primer pocket tool goes right down to the flash hole.

I have to admit to doing the flash holes as well, but thats only because the primer pocket tool burrs over the flash hole a tad.

I dont know about the swaging tools, Dillon presses etc, I will keep my eye out if reloading 556 is going to become a habit I have plenty of time and need to keep away from the fridge!!!

I did find that seating a primer after simply de crimping was quite difficult, whereas after doing the pocket it was like priming new brass.

Try a small drop of oil with these tools, it gives a much smoother finish (better primer seal). Its a pain but you really only need to do it once

See you there....I will be the confused looking pleb with a new AR and no idea...apparently

LOL I am in the same boat new SGC LR AR :) who cares at leaf we are doing CSR

Lyman hand tool but remove the handle and chuck up the cutting bit in a cordless drill, works for me.

Or chose a drill bit larger than the primer pocket hole and using slow speed with the cordless drill just kiss the mouth of the pocket. You just need to remove the rim of crimped over brass but not enlarge the pocket diameter.

I gathered quite a few GGG cases and stopped reloading them.have given them to friends who wanted them. Apart from the primer pocket they don't seem to be made of good brass and I didn't like the feel of them, hard to quantify but I has an uneasy feeling so don't use them. Would rather have 100% confidance in my reloads. It's mill spec ammo and not my cup of tea.

I've used an RCBS primer pocket swaging tool (Norman Clarke about £35) for 308 GGG cases and the primers slip in a treat. It's easy to set up and use and a bit of case lube on the 'nipple' helps stop the case sticking.