Reading the primers

[bartomark]

Hi all , I just found this site, good people and great info. i have been reloading for about 15 yrs now. just .38 and .357 revolver. A long time ago i was talking to an old reloader [he still had all his fingers]that told me about checking the primers when working on a new load or working up to a max load. On a lite load the primers where it seats in the brass have a rounded edge , no distortion, and on a max + load the primers are squashed out and flattened even with the case. I have used this method when working up loads an it seems to work for me, as i still have all my fingers . Has anyone else ever heard of this.It seems like a good way to monitor the pressure generated in the chamber.

[brian]

there's nothing new about that meathod.
it's a well known trick in the reloading circle.
deformed, squished or primers backing out are the first signs of the pressure starting to rise to levels you might not want to go to.

and welcome to the site.

[bogey1]

good info, thanks.. i just started to load pistol last year, but i dont mess with hot loads, just the standard load.