How loose can a primer pocket be

[seidersjoden]

I reload 30-378, primer pockets are getting easy to seat primers, obviously they stay in the pocket after seating but they seat very easy on some brass? What is a rule of thumb as to when to discard brass

Thanks
Joden

 

[MudRunner2005]

If they seat so easy that there feels like there's no resistance or barely any resistance, I'll chunk them.

If it just slips up in there with little-to-no resistance, then there's a good chance pressure will be escaping out the back end, which is not good for your bolt or your bullet's velocity.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

if I have any question as to whether a pocket is tight or not, I take a hand de-priming tool and try to push it out without tapping it with a mallet. If it goes by hand, the pocket is toast...

 

[seidersjoden]

If primers become easy to seat after 5-6 shots on a piece of brass is that normal brass life or too hot of a load then?

Thanks
Joden

 

[MudRunner2005]

If primers become easy to seat after 5-6 shots on a piece of brass is that normal brass life or too hot of a load then?

Thanks
Joden

Depends on the brand of brass, and how hot the loads are. Hotter loads = more pressure. More pressure = more brass stretching. More brass stretching = looser primer pockets. Which all = less shots per piece of brass.

 

[seidersjoden]

Depends on the brand of brass, and how hot the loads are. Hotter loads = more pressure. More pressure = more brass stretching. More brass stretching = looser primer pockets. Which all = less shots per piece of brass.

I use Norma and weatherby brass

 

[seidersjoden]

Depends on the brand of brass, and how hot the loads are. Hotter loads = more pressure. More pressure = more brass stretching. More brass stretching = looser primer pockets. Which all = less shots per piece of brass.

So using Norma or Weatherby brass, regardless of what brass is better, because that's another discussion, lets say im using good, thick quality brass, what does a reloader expect to get out of each piece? 5-6 shots or more with annealing it?

Thanks
Joden

 

[MudRunner2005]

I don't have a .30-378, so I can't help you on that. I know I have Weatherby brass that is supposedly 2-3x fired that primers were falling out of the pockets...

Norma usually makes good brass. And there is no real rule of thumb as to how many firings you'll get.

I've had some brass loosen up after 3 firings, and some have a case-head seperation before the primer pocket got loose.

It's one of those things you just never know.

 

[Dosh]

Joden, Norma makes all Weatherby factory brass. At almost $4 each the 30/378 brass is pricey. Lucky my 30/378 is most accurate with a less than max load and still have good pockets after 3 firings on 100 pcs of brass. A friend picked up 40 338/378 brass some guy shot and left at the range. Long process but formed it to 30/378 and it shoots great. I believe there is a gauge to check pockets. Good luck

 

[seidersjoden]

Joden, Norma makes all Weatherby factory brass. At almost $4 each the 30/378 brass is pricey. Lucky my 30/378 is most accurate with a less than max load and still have good pockets after 3 firings on 100 pcs of brass. A friend picked up 40 338/378 brass some guy shot and left at the range. Long process but formed it to 30/378 and it shoots great. I believe there is a gauge to check pockets. Good luck

Thanks Dosh, working on loads between 107-110.5g of 50bmg shooting 230 Berger hybrids this weekend. I toned them down from 114g of powder, hopefully I will find an accuracy node and better brass life.