I just started to reload for my 470 and I use a RCBS Rock Chucker for priming. The problem is that I can't get the primers deep enough (Federal 215 in Norma Brass). There is a lack of 0,008 inch and it's slightly visable from the side.

Is this anything to be bothered about or am I doing anything wrong that can be adjusted??

Could be the pockets are a little snug. Do you know anyone with a hand priming tool? Are you sure your bringing the press up far enough to seat the primer?

without being there and seeing I guess the best thing would be to list the things to look at.

1. Measure your primer height and the primer pocket depth to make sure they are compatble.Typicly the pocket depth will be .1295" to .1315" with the largest percentage being .130". Primer heights I have measured go from .1255 to .130. I don't have a clue what the real acceptable standards are. Every once in awhile some anvils are out of kilter but seem to seat ok anyway.

2. Make sure your primer push rod is entering the case without the primer. Some times shell holders retard the upward motion.

3. Check the vertical slop in your shell holder to case. In some.404 cases I found some tight and some very loose as the rim thickness varied.

4.If you have a friend who reloads take your cases primers and shell holder to have him try them on his press or hand primer.
Somewhere in these four steps you should come up with the cause to the problem.Once you have that maybe someone here will tellyou what to do. roger

I've had exactly the same problem with S&B brass for my 7.62x54R. In that case, it turned out that the primer pockets had a little more radius at the bottom than they should have. One twist with a Primer Pocket Uniforming tool, and the problem went away. When you look at the treated pocket, it looks like practically nothing has happened.... just a small amount of material removed from the "corner". Primers slip right in, and sit .004" below the rear of the brass, just like they "oughta".

Thanks a lot for the guided tour. That helped

My problem was that the pocket deep was to little in some cases and small but ok in others. I will contact Norma tomorrow an ask them what to do.

I measured 0,126 inch in some and the primers were 0,127 inch.

About the hand primer tool - I have one but the shell holder for the 470 was just to big!

CC, I have the same problem loading RWS brass for my .338x74K (9.3x74R). A switch to WW or RP primers solved it. It seems the Fed. 215 are just a wee bit too large. It would save you doing extra case prep. FYI, I don't have this problem w/ Norma brass in my .404 or the 9.3. Also if you want to hand prime, get a Hornady tool. It uses your RCBS, etc. shell holder, pretty slick.

I had the same problem with S&B 7.62x54R reloads and CCI200 large rifle primers. I had to get a Lyman primer pocket uniformer. It is a tiny end mill bit on a handle with a stop collar. I don't waste my time with S&B brass for the Russian any more, but the pocket uniformer is one great pocket cleaner.

As far as hand priming tools, I had the same problem and ended up buying the RCBS bench mounted priming tool. It works perfectly. I hate using the press ram for priming.

I called Norma and they were going to check their blue prints and try to give me an answer this afternoon.

This is really a common problem and it's not limited to Norma brass. I've seen in all brands of cases, but very seldom in Norma.

Your best alternative is to buy a primer pocket uniforming tool. The best one is sold by Sinclair and it's carbide. You can either use it on a handle they sell or you can chuck it in a lathe, drill press or power screwdriver, with another holder Sinclair sells. I use a drill press at very slow speed. The Lyman tool is great but it's not carbide and eventually needs sharpening, particularly if you use it to clean primer pockets. The Sinclair tool is what I use to clean primer pockets.

The specs for primers call for them to be seated .002" deep in the case head. I believe the tolerance runs to .005" deep but I'm uncertain about that. Cases with primers proud of the case head are dangerous as they can be set off prematurely in chambering the cartridge, or in a magazine.

Second what Bob338 says about the Sinclair carbide primer pocket uniformer. It is relatively inexpensive and works great with a power screwdriver with the adapter. I have used it on about 500 cases and seems to as sharp as when new.
Ron

cchunter,

I have problems w/ the Fed 215 primers being hard to push in sometimes. They are a tad bit bigger or stiffer in construction than other Primers.

You might want to try some Win LRM primers, they are softer but, offer great performance.

Good Luck!

Reloader

I'm just going to toss this out although I don't think it applies in your situation. I once found myself with two shellholders, different companies, for the same cases. After having fits readjusting my dies each time I reloaded I finally got smart and took the caliphers to them. Come to find out not all shellholders are the same height from bottom to top. I never knew that. I only knew that sometime the top of the shell holder touched the bottom of the die and sometime it didn't. I'm older and wiser now!
Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

SAAMI specifications on primers and primer pockets per "Sinclair International's Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook" 10th edition 1999

......................Depth min max diameter min max
small rifle primer pocket .117 .123 .1730 .1745
small pistol primer pocket .117 .123 .1730 .1745
Large rifle primer pocket .125 .132 .2085 .2100
Large pistol primer pocket .117 .123 .2085 .2100

.......................Height min max Diameter min max
Small rifle primers .115 .125 .1745 .1765
small pistol primers .115 .125 .1745 .1765
large rifle primers .123 .133 .2105 .2130
large pistol primers .115 .125 .2100 .2120"


The problem I had with S&B is the radius where the walls of the pocket meet the bottom of the pocket was too large and the mating radius on the primers was too small.

This interference does not seem to be covered with what I have of the SAAMI spec.