Removing the crimp on primer pockets

[Walleye Hunter]

While this topic is up for discussion...I have a compact metal lathe with a mill on top of it. I'm thinking that a I should be able to use it to clean up primer crimps with a jig under the mill and having the depth set just right so I can run through them quickly and easily. I am just getting ready to get started in reloading so it's all new to me, does this sound like a viable maneuver?

[Xringshooter]

Sounds viable just make sure you don't enlarge the primer pockets, you want to just take the crimp off.

[Delkal]

Yes, I know this is Necro but it turned into a decent resurrected conversation............

I used to remove the crimp with one of those hand held deburring tools but I could never get the exact amount off. Some primer pockets were too light and some looked like a funnel. I started using the RCBS pocket swager (<$40) and have not looked back. It takes a little setting up to get the right amount of swage but then you can crank them out. I have used it on thousands of cases and you only have to do it once.

I prefer swaging to reaming. Theoretically it leaves more "meat" on the case and it gives very consistent results. Especially if you are using the same headstamp.

[OldSchoolRanger]

You are definately are the master necromancer ��

I love to reload and I find it refreshing to see reloading and actual gun talk on this site. even if they are older posts. I haven't been a member here very long and have gotten some good info from some of these older pists. Some web sites that have quite a bit of active loading discussion are cast boolits, the high road and the firing line.

Duke,

I've been reloading for years, I also have a Dillon Super swage, but, I guess I get kinda of lazy every now and then. When I come by 20 - 40something rounds of 308 Win., I don't want to bother changing the SR swage, to the LR swage on the Dilllon, since, I'll just have to change it back to the SR swage very shortly after. So I was looking for an alternative. Buying another Dillon swage was not an option, like I did when I bought an additional RCBS hand priming tool (one for large rifle, and one for small rifle). I was researching the RCBS Primer pocket Swage combo, but when I found out about the CH4D Swager, I wanted to know more about it. So, I Googled it, which led to this thread.

I also love to reload, and read up on what others use, and do. I also do a lot of reading of the older posts for information, "Brick" turned me onto a fantastic site for reloading, go to the reloading section, and read the "5.56 Reloading" thread. See post #20 for the link. Enjoy!

Thanks again Brick!

[OldSchoolRanger]

Yes, I know this is Necro but it turned into a decent resurrected conversation............

I used to remove the crimp with one of those hand held deburring tools but I could never get the exact amount off. Some primer pockets were too light and some looked like a funnel. I started using the RCBS pocket swager (<$40) and have not looked back. It takes a little setting up to get the right amount of swage but then you can crank them out. I have used it on thousands of cases and you only have to do it once.

I prefer swaging to reaming. Theoretically it leaves more "meat" on the case and it gives very consistent results. Especially if you are using the same headstamp.

Delkal - When I did some research on the RCBS pocket swager, (you mean this one, correct? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...swager-combo-2), I read a few complaints about the rod bending. Did you have any such problems?

[OldSchoolRanger]

Duke - Just in case you don't know, there is a special "Ammunition & Reloading" section. It's a subsection of the Firearms section, click on Firearms, then look for the reloading section. It took me a while to find it too.

[abner13]

I pulled the cutter from a Hornady tool and use it in an electric screwdriver. Cuts a nice radius on the corner and removes all crimp. The Dillon tool works , but the results are ugly IMO.

[Walleye Hunter]

I pulled the cutter from a Hornady tool and use it in an electric screwdriver. Cuts a nice radius on the corner and removes all crimp. The Dillon tool works , but the results are ugly IMO.

Do you need a jig to hold them or can you just use your fingers?

[Delkal]

Delkal - When I did some research on the RCBS pocket swager, (you mean this one, correct? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...swager-combo-2), I read a few complaints about the rod bending. Did you have any such problems?

Pretty sure this is the exact one. It has one rod for 223 and one for 308 cases. I can not see how you can bend the steel rod unless you are doing something very wrong or applying way too much pressure. It is just a guide that only engages with the last 1/4 inch (or less) of the stroke. I don't remember having to use much pressure to swage the little crimp out (much less pressure than resizing a case) so it should not bend. If it does you are massively overswaging or forcing something.

It has been years since I used mine but I did thousands of cases at the time. I do remember different headstamps/ cases might need a little more or less swaging. But I assume it is that way for all swagers giving the different internal dimensions of different cases.

[frankski]

If you do any volume of cases, you might want to get something like the Lyman Case Prep Xpress. Brownells has them on sale for $127.99, and I frequently see them on sale.

This thing has stations for reaming primer pockets, uniform and clean primer pockets, and chamfer case necks. You can move a lot of brass in an hour.

Before this, I've used the hand reamer, graduated to a reamer chucked in a drill press, and finally decided my time and hands and avoiding carpal tunnel were worth the investment.