Anyone else had a problem with priming used norma brass. Specifically 300 win mag. Have tried both Federal and Remington primers they need a great deal of force to sit properly despite using a primer pocket reamer tool.

I suspect they work but perhaps they use a european primer!

Thanks
AR

I use some Norma brass in my 300 Win Mag and have not experienced any issues using WLRM primers. I use the press mounted priming on a Redding Boss press.

I wonder if you got a weird lot of brass? I use Norma brass almostly exclusively in several rifles and haven't noticed any issues priming with the press or by hand. I only use Federal primers. My brass was all purchased around 6 or 8 years ago. I've been really impressed with Norma brass in every cartridge I've used.

Do the primers seat and fire? If so, drive on.
I used all brands of brass and primers; some seat harder than others. As long as they don't distort, don't worry about it.
Realize that each run/lot of brass can be different; they don't use the same primer pocket forming punch for everything.
No they aren't made for some special European primer....
If you want the pockets bigger, you can have a reamer ground to any size you want. Any tool grinding shop can do that.

who wants LOOSE primer pockets, on the first loads

Load and shoot, they'll loosen up.

Years ago I had trouble getting Remington primers into RWS 6.5x54 brass, while some other brand went in OK.

However, I have noticed strange things recently like WLR primers falling out of new Winchester .45-70 cases and the odd Norma 9.3x62 new-case rim that would not fit into the RCBS shell-holder.

I guess if some primers are harder to seat, we could keep them for later in the cases' lives.

I prime Norma brass (6.5 C) on the press.

They are going off so will use them. The brass is once fired brass. I had bought a lot of 300 win Norma ammo.

I have the same problem, bought some 7X57 Norma ammo really cheap from Midway. Looked like the primers were crimped or staked. Reamed the pockets and still very tight. I just shelved them.

Paul K

I always try to use Wincehster primers in new cases or cases with "tight" primer pockets. WW primers are plain brass with no added nickel plating, so they are an "ooch" smaller in diameter and seat more easily in tight pockets.

By the same token, with well-used brass I avoid the WW's and use Federals, which seem to be a bit oversized and seat firmly even if the pocket is slightly enlarged.

quote:

Originally posted by reddy375:
Anyone else had a problem with priming used norma brass. Specifically 300 win mag. Have tried both Federal and Remington primers they need a great deal of force to sit properly despite using a primer pocket reamer tool.

I suspect they work but perhaps they use a european primer!

Thanks
AR

I bought a big lot of .375 H&H and .458 WM Norma brass that is all like this. I have to ream and use press-type priming. But it all shoots fine and does loosen with firings.

Had a similar issue with Norma in 416 Wby. VERY lightly took the edge off the pocket with a regular 45 degree deburring tool and problem solved.

You might try a swage. Sometimes reamers leave a wire edge.

I've never had the problem with Norma but have seen it with Lapua 6.5x284 brass.

I've had some Lapua brass that I couldn't seat primers with the hand primer after 6 or 7 reloads.