How important is primer pocket/flash hole prep?

[Mram10us]

Check out the 28:57 mark of this video. Talks about chamferring or camfering as he says

 

[captrjc]

Dang.... all those blisters and cramps for nothing. #*+=#&@!!!!!!

 

[SilverbulletMAG]

I do it because I have the tool for it. I couldn't tell you with a straight face that it makes a lick of difference on target however. There is a lot brass shavings that comes off when uniforming a new lot of 100 though, so it is doing something...

 

[Tree Farmer]

I deburr the flashole just because it's one less thing to blame when I shoot a lousy group.

 

[YZ-80]

Well, I uniform the primer pockets because I like the way it makes them look. Nice and shiny. Sometimes, however the primer pocket is too deep for the cutter to reach, in which case I grab my RCBS primer pocket cleaning tool and get the rest of the soot out. I also have the Lyman "Screwdriver" flash hole de-burring tool and I use that too but I don't mess around with the set screw cone thingy on it, I just do it by feel. I do think that deburring the flashhole in this method makes the flame from the primer ignition propagate more evenly around the circumference of the flash hole, making for more even ignition of the charge. Do I have hard data that it improves my group size? No. But I feel good about it. I guess it's kind of like driving a Prius, but for the record, I do NOT drive one.

 

[338 dude]

I have no doubt there'd be no detrimental effect in doing this sort of thing, just looking for some experiences confirming improvement with hard data. Thanks for the feedback. I do think I'll start doing this on that same basis, it can't make anything worse and just might make it better. On the flip side if we eliminate all possible culprits other than ourselves when the guns and ammo aren't shooting the way we want we might just be humbled a bit too much so maybe I'll keep leaving them alone! In all seriousness, what tools for these jobs would you all recommend?

Lyman Is what I have I don't believe it's any better or any worse than most

 

[okie man]

I won't load a case until I cut the primer pockets to a consistent depth and clean up the flash hole. If you're sizing cases with .002 or less headspace and you have a primer sticking out .003 you have an issue. It either won't chamber, it will force you to take your eye of an animal or mess up your run in a competition. If done properly it can't hurt anything

 

[whirlwindjml]

Spark is where it all starts. Champer the the flash hole so the powder charge lights off even as possible. I use the lyman tool a few posts above.

Its fast and simple and Low ES is what were after if we shoot long so im going to do anything to encourage low extreme Spread.

My lapua and Norma is already done for me so i dont touch it. 2cents

 

[Chuckrub]

I did a long time ago. I don't do it any more there was no gain for me.

 

[elf]

I do not touch Lapua bras PP or flash holes because they don't need it. Years ago, I tried enlarging some Norma brass flash holes in a PPC just a tit bit. The brass shot terrible andf I threw it away.

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

Lyman Is what I have I don't believe it's any better or any worse than most

I like mine as well.

 

[Dean2]

On 22 Hornet and 218 Bee brass deburring the flash hole definitely makes a difference in group size. So does using pistol primers instead of small rifle primers. In larger cartridges I do it on domestic brass, not on Lapua as their fl;ash holes have no burrs. I can't prove deburring the larger cases actually works because I have never tried 10 done and 10 not, fire for group. It for sure doesn't hurt and based on the results in the Hornet my bet is that it does at least some good.

 

[sturner]

I like his philosophy easy no stress reloading

 

[338 dude]

I like his philosophy easy no stress reloading

I definitely think easier is better but at the same time this is a hobby for me and I actually enjoy it I don't shoot hundreds of rounds a month so I would do whatever gives results no matter how much work it is and it makes it tougher to decide what to do because it seems every step is very limited on return but when combined it makes a huge difference therefore I do whatever I think gives me an edge and more precision