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Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Jekemi on May 29, 2010, 09:49:50 AM

Title: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on May 29, 2010, 09:49:50 AM: Just finished setting up my new bench and reloading setup. Great fun and I will head to the range in a couple of weeks to sight in the Weatherby .270. One question? I tried to use some once-fired Remington cases. I had a very hard time pushing out the old factory primers. It looks like they use lock-tight to set the primers permenantly. I visited a buddy that had an old 1950's vintage lyman press, super heavy-duty; and we couldn't push the primer out. I thought we might break the mounting off his bench if we pushed any harder. Is there any solvent you can soak the once-fired cases in to disolve the sealant they used?
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 29, 2010, 10:03:00 AM: you should be good to go now. i have never had much problem getting the primers out that had the sealer on them :dunno: so i do not know a fix for that.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Ratdog68 on May 29, 2010, 06:57:18 PM: I would imagine that you'd have to spend a little more time prepping the primer pockets before priming them for reloading... more so than having hassles with getting the old primers out. :dunno:
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on May 30, 2010, 09:27:53 AM: Ratdog68: I've got a bunch of once-fired .270 brass. They have never been reloaded before. The primers are factory stuck! They are in there solid. You can see that they uses some kind of lock-tight to virtually "weld" the primers in.

I can easily prime and de-prime my own new brass; that's no problem. The die works great, sizing the case and pushing the spent primer out. Then I simply press a new primer in. If I could get the old factory-stuck primers out I could use my little primer tool, prep the primer hole, and press in a new primer. But, I can't get those old primers out >:( Help!
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: timberghost72 on May 30, 2010, 01:55:07 PM: One thing you can try is to heat up the area with a lighter or a micro torch. At work if I have a fastener that has been locktighted I will heat it up and it comes right out. I have no idea if this would work for you but it is an idea. Of course I don't know what kind of effect it would have on the integrity of the brass. I would think it would be ok as long as you don't get it too hot. :dunno:
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Ratdog68 on May 30, 2010, 02:29:16 PM: Quote from: Jekemi on May 30, 2010, 09:27:53 AM
Ratdog68: I've got a bunch of once-fired .270 brass. They have never been reloaded before. The primers are factory stuck! They are in there solid. You can see that they uses some kind of lock-tight to virtually "weld" the primers in.

I can easily prime and de-prime my own new brass; that's no problem. The die works great, sizing the case and pushing the spent primer out. Then I simply press a new primer in. If I could get the old factory-stuck primers out I could use my little primer tool, prep the primer hole, and press in a new primer. But, I can't get those old primers out >:( Help!

My experience has been that the "red" around the primer has been a "sealant". I just did some .223 that had it. The old primers came out just fine on mine. The hassle was trying to get the new primers to seat. I did dress the pockets beforehand too. The PMC were the problem children for me... as you can see... the primers wouldn't settle in "purdy like" as they did in the Remington brass. I don't know what to offer you with not being able to get the old ones out.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi677.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv134%2FRatdog68%2FModern%2FRifles%2F223Primers001.jpg%3Ft%3D1275254729&hash=c0d926ae2a3c10b3bd3ddb74635f95693295e744)
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on May 30, 2010, 02:44:13 PM: timberghost72: good idea. I'll try it. I'm also going to soak the primer end of the cases in acetone just to see if it dissolves the lock-tight. I have no idea what kind of sealant they used to set those primers. I'll let you know what happens.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on May 31, 2010, 01:12:32 PM: timberghost71: tried the torch heating idea. I looked specifically for the cases that had the blue sealant, heated it up using a BenzoMatic for various times but to no avail. Couldn't budge the primers. Oh well. I'll just use the new brass. I know I can prime those then easily remove the primers using my press.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: bonecrusher on May 31, 2010, 02:20:07 PM: brass is cheap, if they dont just press out its not worth the trouble. throw um away
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: C-Money on May 31, 2010, 02:26:45 PM: Forgive me for asking, but are you sure you have your die deep enough for the pin to push out the primer? I have never ran into a primer that was that stuck. Good luck, I reload a lot of new brass too, as I am too lazy to case trim! :chuckle: Good luck!
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Ridgeratt on May 31, 2010, 03:17:26 PM: Mil spec brass does have a primer crimp on them and it can be a bit tuff to push primers and I see you are using a "c" style press having never used one I'm not sure if you get enough leverage from them. My rcbs "O" presses push them. If you are using mil spec brass you will also have to remove the crimp ring in order to set new primers. or they will shave part of the cup and then could spell bad news for your new hobby.

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Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Bscman on June 03, 2010, 05:39:28 PM: I can get LARGE 50BMG primers that are sealed, and crimped out with minimal effort. My guess is you have a problem with your setup. Even red loctite shouldn't post that much of a problem.

You are lubing the case as you run it through your sizing/decapper die, right?

And as for the torch idea...
Be VERY careful applying heat to your brass...as you heat brass it will soften. If you soften the area around the primer you'll effectively destroy the brass. Take away the temper or "hardness" of that brass around the base and theres a good chance it'll blow up in your face when you load and fire it.

New brass for 270 is cheap...shouldn't run more than $26 for a bag...or go buy some cheapo loaded federal ammo at walmart for $14 a box and save the brass.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: dontgetcrabs on June 03, 2010, 06:06:23 PM: Make sure that they are not Berdan primers! I don't believe Remington uses that style or any domestic ammo maker for that matter, BUT make sure to double check. I have never had a problem de-capping boxer style, not even military crimped sealed primers.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: elkaholic123 on June 03, 2010, 06:47:30 PM: I think the .270 Weatherby cases are a little more than 26.00 a bag even if they are Rem. :dunno: Have you tried removing after soaking them in acetone?
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: woodswalker on June 03, 2010, 06:58:31 PM: I'd be for checking the primer punch pin protrusion....WITHOUT a case, run the shellholder up to see that the pin pokes down at least the depth of the primer PAST the seat of the shellholder...if NOT you wont get them out...I ahve never had primers I couldnt get out...not even crimped ones...but with those make SURE you swage or ream the crimp grove out of the way before you seat a new primer.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: wadu1 on June 03, 2010, 06:59:55 PM: Quote from: bonecrusher on May 31, 2010, 02:20:07 PM
brass is cheap, if they dont just press out its not worth the trouble. throw um away
Lube-lube-lube, ask the wife for some KY jelly if you have too :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 03, 2010, 07:01:58 PM: :chuckle: yeah check your setup and see if the primer punch pin is low enough to take out the primer.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on June 04, 2010, 10:54:05 AM: I'm getting two pieces of good advice. Thanks.
1. make sure the pin is set deep enough to push out the primer
2. use plenty of case lube (the guy at Lee said the same thing)
I'll check both when I get home today and try again. I have a feeling that both may be the issue.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 04, 2010, 11:05:35 AM: keep us updated i would think the pin first but the lube should help as well
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on June 08, 2010, 06:44:23 AM: A little more Lee Case Lube on the outside of the shell cases did the trick. The primers popped right out. Thanks for the advice. You guys are a great resource.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: C-Money on June 13, 2010, 10:12:17 PM: Cool! Glad it worked out for you! Shoot any reloads yet?
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: Jekemi on June 14, 2010, 05:04:31 PM: C-Money: yup, but just the shotgun reloads. I had one that didn't fire, forgot to put the powder in that one. And another that I loaded the shot first, then the powder. Two others the wad got stuck in the barrel. However, I finished 18 for 25 on the first box and 16 for 25 on the second. I loaded almost 100 shotgun shells, about 1/2 1 oz. and the other half 7/8 oz. Aside from a slightly greater kick on the 7/8 oz I didn't notice any difference.
I'll shoot my reloaded .270's on Saturday. I have reloaded 70 of them. Actually 30 of them were from new brass, the rest were from old brass. I think I think I'll get a tumbler one of these days to get the old ones nice and shinny.
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup
Post by: C-Money on June 14, 2010, 05:35:26 PM: Glad you are doing well, Its a great feeling to harvest game with ammo that you made yourself!
Title: Re: First Reload today - finished my setup UPDATE
Post by: Jekemi on July 28, 2010, 08:27:31 AM: An update on my first reloading: I've been reloading .270 rifle and 12 GA shotgun shells for over a month now. It's been great fun and I'm learning a lot about loads, recipes, gun powder, bullet trajectory, just a ton of information. I have also purchased several reloading manuals, which are a great source of information.
I purchased a new Lee Breech Lock press and installed it this past Saturday. It's really nice not to have to adjust the dies every time. I just pop out one die and pop in another. The press is more solid and substantial than my first simple anemic press.
I recently purchased some Blems from Midway USA and loaded them up. Haven't shot them yet. They are .270, polymer tipped, 140 grain, BT. Now I'm looking forward to shooting them. The price was great and everyone I've talked to says there is no difference between the Blems and the perfect.
I'll load .270, 150 grain next and use them for hunting deer and Elk this fall.
This is an addicting hobby but an educational one. I recommend to any firearms fan to take up reloading. It's relaxing and therapeutic.