While trying to load Winchester Large Rifle primers in some once fired brass RP 45-70 brass . I had to use what, in my opinion, was excessive force to get the primer to seat. Five of the next 7 were extreemly tight. I'm using an old Lee Auto Prime that I have used for 20 years. I working at the kitchen table in an air conditioned house. I get an ocassional tight fit but never like these. I switched to some very old federal 210's. Same thing. I had just bought 100 new Star Line cases. I tried one with the Win and one with the Feds. Flattened them out like I had excessive pressure. Tried some 3/4 times fired WW cases. Same thing. Decided to quite before I popped one and "She who must be obeyed" threw the entire operation out into the yard. Out of the 50 I started with I had perhaps a dozen pop in like there supposed to do. Any suggestions or ideas what I might be doing wrong.

landtrain,

Sounds like you got a batch of .45-70 brass with tight primer pockets. A couple of thoughts that might help ...

Both Winchester and Federal primers run fairly large in diameter. Nearly all Federals typically run around 0.2120" and nearly all Winchesters typically run around 0.2114". Standard CCIs run around 0.2112" and standard Remingtons run around 0.210". However, you might want to try CCI 215M, CCI BR2, or Remington 9-1/2M. All three of these primers run aroung 0.2086". If you are getting the Federals in at all, then one of these three should slip in fairly easily. Hope this helps.

Landtrain, Hi mate, yep a batch of brass a bit out if you can get hold of a large primer pocket hole reamer/uniformer might solve your problems.....Les

One thing that I noticed with Winchester primers - they do tend to flatten more than others I've seen. They appear to be made of softer brass. It doesn't take much at all to flatten them. I regularly (like ALL the time) have flat-ended primers after seating even in brass that they "glide" in to. I use Remington primers for a different caliber and experience nowhere near the level of flatness that the Winchesters' exhibit, using the exact same priming tool.

I found in the batches I used of CCI200s and WLRs that the CCI were softer shelled,in fact I use WLR in a rifle with a larger firing pin hole,they don't crater.Flattened primers can come from headspace hammering as well as pressure,(P-17 owner).

Thanks GunGeek. Tried a few BR2's and they did go in easier. Other than the purchase price, if they go in, there better. Thanks.

Les. Tried the Lyman large pocket reamer. Mine is old and perhaps its dull. Will try a new one and see what happens. Thanks.

Dino32HR. Haven't tried Remington. Will. Thanks.