Little dents on primers

#1 · May 3, 2014, 8:45 am

I've been reloading several hundred .223 loads for a while and recently noticed small little dents on the primers.
Could this be related to dirty parts under the shellplate?

#2 · May 3, 2014, 12:01 pm

I have the 550, and I will get the same dents in primers if I let it get to dirty in the primer area, I have a small air compresser in my shop and I blow the area out with light pressure to keep it free of debris. I'm thinking this could be the same for you, you may have a small piece of debris causing the little dents.

#3 · May 5, 2014, 3:56 pm

This is caused by minute debris on top of the primer seating punch. A small parts cleaning brush or toothbrush will scrub it off.

#4 · October 18, 2015, 11:34 pm

I usually just keep a supply of Q tips handy...after every 100 rounds, I swab out the primer cup and get back to work... I also keep a can of computer geek compressed air handy to blow any dirt, shavings, powder flakes etc off the machine.

#5 · October 9, 2016, 4:47 pm

I see this a lot when using federal primers on my 550. Best cure I have found is I keep an air compressor under the bench and blow off the press every time I add 100 primers.