TIGHTEN PRIMER POCKETS, here's how.

[tbrice23]

First of all, this won't work on extremely over pressured brass! If your primer pockets are getting loose from multiple firings (general wear and tear) this will work.
I have a 4H ( HARDENED ) hex head bolt of the appropriate length wrapped with tape at the cartrige neck area length, and insert it into the case.
Place the bolt and case on top of a 3/4" chrome ball bearing that is cradled in a vice.
Firmly tap the hex head ONCE with a hammer.
Take a measurement.
For large rifle primers, my pockets get fairly loose at about .210". After only 2 or 3 strikes my pockets are at .207".
That's where I stop. You will see a small perfectly concentric ring around the inside diameter of the primer pocket.

I sincerely hope everyone utilizes this technique because even if your brass lasts one or two more firings I hope (maybe) new brass prices will become slightly more affordable.
I've been doing this on some winchester 300wm brass that has had two additional firings with no gas blow by on the case head.
My intent of this post is to help. I work very hard on my brass prep. So an additional firing or two is a blessing.
Again, this won't work on crazy over pressured brass.

 

[Mateo]

Brilliant. I love it.

 

[Sneaky Apasum]

Very clever. Thanks for the tip.

 

[CliffM]

Cowboy logic.....a simple solution to just about every thing.lightbulb

Cliff

 

[tbrice23]

Cowboy logic.....a simple solution to just about every thing.lightbulb

Cliff

I'm from TN. So we call it Red Neck engineering.

 

[jessegibson1978]

Knew you had to be from TN. Bailing twine, duct tape, and fence wire will fix about anything. If you don't believe that just drop by my farm.

 

[tbrice23]

Dadgum right!

 

[jessegibson1978]

Where you at in TN

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Very impressive. Very creative.

I wonder if the RCBS primer pocket swagging die set can be "modified"

Say just use it with a ball bearing in the shell holder. I may turn a ball bearing holder.

 

[tbrice23]

Where you at in TN

I work and stay in north Illinois but my HOME and property is Savannah. S.W. TN.
My favorite saying is " you can't beat the hill-rod out of me"

But seriously, if we decrease the demand on new brass it will be better for all of us.

And also, I should have added that I don't lock the ball bearing in the vice but actually cradle it. The vice is opened slightly less than the major outside diameter of the bearing.

 

[tbrice23]

Very impressive. Very creative.

I wonder if the RCBS primer pocket swagging die set can be "modified"

Say just use it with a ball bearing in the shell holder. I may turn a ball bearing holder.

I borrowed a friends rcbs swagger to achieve this, and it did not work well.
RW hart sold a settup for tightening PPs sold at Midway but it got bad reviews.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

I borrowed a friends rcbs swagger to achieve this, and it did not work well.
RW hart sold a settup for tightening PPs sold at Midway but it got bad reviews.

Well then, if tar heel/roughneck engineering works and fancy pants didn't I'll go with the tar heel (I hope I got all that reference correct)

 

[g0rd0]

thanks, I have a few pieces that are just now showing loose pockets. I will be deffinately be trying this one

 

[frankinaustin]

You need to demonstrate this on video and upload to Youtube.