Small pistol primer problems
Quote from Reloader on March 10, 2009, 4:15 amSo far, all I have loaded used large pistol primers. No major problems.
I just changed over to 38 special and now am using small pistol primers. Problem is, I can only get through about 3 cases before a primer flips sideways in the magazine tube, blocking any primers from getting down to the primer slide cup. I have to pull the magazine assembly off, flip it over, push the white pin back and use the black plastic primer level rod to pop the primer loose. I reinstall it, and sure enough, about 3 primers later it happens again.
As far as I know, I properly switched to the correct tube in the primer magazine, although some type of marking or more positive color system on the tube itself would be nice. The one I put in has the blue tip on the bottom end.
Also. some of the 38's I have reloaded get pretty tight going into the cylinder in about the last 1/4". I am wondering which die is resonsible for resizing the cases? I am using an old set of RCBS, with the Dillion crimping die. The RCBS dies were given to me, so I am trying to make them work. However, they are old and a PITA to adjust.
Terry
So far, all I have loaded used large pistol primers. No major problems.
I just changed over to 38 special and now am using small pistol primers. Problem is, I can only get through about 3 cases before a primer flips sideways in the magazine tube, blocking any primers from getting down to the primer slide cup. I have to pull the magazine assembly off, flip it over, push the white pin back and use the black plastic primer level rod to pop the primer loose. I reinstall it, and sure enough, about 3 primers later it happens again.
As far as I know, I properly switched to the correct tube in the primer magazine, although some type of marking or more positive color system on the tube itself would be nice. The one I put in has the blue tip on the bottom end.
Also. some of the 38's I have reloaded get pretty tight going into the cylinder in about the last 1/4". I am wondering which die is resonsible for resizing the cases? I am using an old set of RCBS, with the Dillion crimping die. The RCBS dies were given to me, so I am trying to make them work. However, they are old and a PITA to adjust.
Terry
Quote from Reloader on March 13, 2009, 3:42 pmUpdate:
I changed to a newer box of CCI magum primers. Same problem. The 2nd or 3rd from the bottom turns sidways in the tube and blocks it.
The primers are obviously turning in the tube, because I was able to make a run of about 12 in a row, but I had to do it one at a time. This was because about 80% of the time, the primer was feeding upside down. So, I could not run on semi-automatic. After 12, the next one turned sideways, and I had to pull the primer magazine assembly off again and push the primer out. It seems to jam about 1/2" from the bottom of the tube.
This is awfully expensive equimpent to have to use it like a multistation single stage press.
As i said before, I did not have any problems with primer feeding with the large pistol. This has only occured since I switched to small pistol.
I have ordered a new small primer magazine tube at my own expense rather than send the one I have in a wait for a return, so if that is not the problem, another $8 + shipping down the drain.
Update:
I changed to a newer box of CCI magum primers. Same problem. The 2nd or 3rd from the bottom turns sidways in the tube and blocks it.
The primers are obviously turning in the tube, because I was able to make a run of about 12 in a row, but I had to do it one at a time. This was because about 80% of the time, the primer was feeding upside down. So, I could not run on semi-automatic. After 12, the next one turned sideways, and I had to pull the primer magazine assembly off again and push the primer out. It seems to jam about 1/2" from the bottom of the tube.
This is awfully expensive equimpent to have to use it like a multistation single stage press.
As i said before, I did not have any problems with primer feeding with the large pistol. This has only occured since I switched to small pistol.
I have ordered a new small primer magazine tube at my own expense rather than send the one I have in a wait for a return, so if that is not the problem, another $8 + shipping down the drain.
Quote from Reloader on March 14, 2009, 4:55 amI have had the same problem, also with SP primers. I have used large primers for a long time without any problems as well. I'd be interested in hearing any response to this question/problem. I'm also using CCI primers, which I have used for many years with my RCBS priming tool without any problems.
I have had the same problem, also with SP primers. I have used large primers for a long time without any problems as well. I'd be interested in hearing any response to this question/problem. I'm also using CCI primers, which I have used for many years with my RCBS priming tool without any problems.
Quote from Reloader on March 15, 2009, 2:06 pmTerry -
As far as sticking cases.... try pulling a case out after the #1 die (sizing) and see if it fits the cylinder. If that works fine, then the case is being buckled during the last die (crimp). Back off the crimp die, and try again. It may take several tries to get this right. Recognize that accurate crimp depends on accurate case length.Also, revolvers are bad about carbon buildup in the cylinder. If a sized case will not go in, your gun may simply need a good cleaning.
All the best.
Terry -
As far as sticking cases.... try pulling a case out after the #1 die (sizing) and see if it fits the cylinder. If that works fine, then the case is being buckled during the last die (crimp). Back off the crimp die, and try again. It may take several tries to get this right. Recognize that accurate crimp depends on accurate case length.
Also, revolvers are bad about carbon buildup in the cylinder. If a sized case will not go in, your gun may simply need a good cleaning.
All the best.
Quote from Reloader on May 11, 2009, 12:24 amI have also had no problems with LP primers. Years ago I had the flip problem in an RCBS primer tube when using Federal SP primers. I switched to CCI and have used them since. I do however experience the flip with SP primers in my Dillon primer tube once in a while.
One thing I find that helps is to use the plastic rod that comes with the low primer warning alarm. I put that plastic rod in the primer loading tube before pulling out the cotter pin. The rod pushes the primers all the way down. I remove the primer loading tube and put the rod back in, whether or not I use the warning alarm. I think that little bit of pressure helps prevent flipping. If necessary you could add a bit of weight to the top of the rod, not much though.
I have also had no problems with LP primers. Years ago I had the flip problem in an RCBS primer tube when using Federal SP primers. I switched to CCI and have used them since. I do however experience the flip with SP primers in my Dillon primer tube once in a while.
One thing I find that helps is to use the plastic rod that comes with the low primer warning alarm. I put that plastic rod in the primer loading tube before pulling out the cotter pin. The rod pushes the primers all the way down. I remove the primer loading tube and put the rod back in, whether or not I use the warning alarm. I think that little bit of pressure helps prevent flipping. If necessary you could add a bit of weight to the top of the rod, not much though.