Tool to close primer pockets

[Robinhood493]

I have heard about people using something to close the primer pockets back up on brass where the pockets open enough not to hold a primer. Is this a tool you buy? If so where do I get one and what is the process to use it. I have lots of brass that looks great except for very loose primer pockets.

 

[acloco]

In all honesty, toss the brass.

You can swage the pockets a little with a Dillon Swager, but the pockets will loosen again.


Not trying to be hard about this, but why risk your hands/face and your scope/rifle for the cost of brass?

 

[JeffP40]

Usually, the pockets are loose because they have been overloaded. Once in a while, they will do it prematurely, but for the most part, they are worn out. buy good brass and treat it right.

 

[Gene]

RW Hart sells one also. I have read that after every shot, you need to close the pocket again.

 

[lloydsmale]

I have a dillon swager to open up crimped pockets but dont understand how it could possibly make them smaller.

In all honesty, toss the brass.

You can swage the pockets a little with a Dillon Swager, but the pockets will loosen again.


Not trying to be hard about this, but why risk your hands/face and your scope/rifle for the cost of brass?

 

[Broz]

Yea, The RW Hart is the only one I have heard of. Never used it but always wanted one.

Jeff

 

[ultraedge]

The R.W. Hart tool is sold by MSP . 800-428-9394 . I have worn out two of them. They work ok but the metal is not hard enough. I cannot tell any difference in shooting brass that has been repaired vs new brass. The repair lasts fairly well. I have 12 firings on some EDGE brass. Gary

 

[royinidaho]

Did a search awhile back and found an article by a 300 Win Mag 1k shooter that made up a die that resizes the belt.

I have about 16 pounds of 270 AM brass that I keep around to remind me to do something about it some day.

 

[Pdvdh]

Did a search awhile back and found an article by a 300 Win Mag 1k shooter that made up a die that resizes the belt.

I have about 16 pounds of 270 AM brass that I keep around to remind me to do something about it some day.

Roy,
If anyone had devised a technique to tighten up loose primer pockets I figured it would be you.

I own and have used the Hart tool. I agree that the steel in the tool is too soft and the functional pieces deform over time. The primer pockets are tightened up for a shot or two. They aren't returned to the same status as new brass. If you have some really expensive brass, or brass with a lot of prep time, and want to get an extra few firings out of them, then the tool will allow that. I wouldn't mess with it for the brass that's relatively cheap to purchase, and doesn't involve a lot of preparation time. If you're just shooting a standard factory cartridge with readily available brass I wouldn't recommend the tool. If you're doing fire-forming and case neck turning with Lapua or RWS brass and want to get a few extra shots out of your brass, it might be worthwhile.

The Hart tool needs to be constructed of higher strength steel so the impacting pieces don't flare out and deform under the forces required to tighten up (pinch down) the primer pockets.

 

[eddybo]

Roy,
If anyone had devised a technique to tighten up loose primer pockets I figured it would be you.

I own and have used the Hart tool. I agree that the steel in the tool is too soft and the functional pieces deform over time. The primer pockets are tightened up for a shot or two. They aren't returned to the same status as new brass. If you have some really expensive brass, or brass with a lot of prep time, and want to get an extra few firings out of them, then the tool will allow that. I wouldn't mess with it for the brass that's relatively cheap to purchase, and doesn't involve a lot of preparation time. If you're just shooting a standard factory cartridge with readily available brass I wouldn't recommend the tool. If you're doing fire-forming and case neck turning with Lapua or RWS brass and want to get a few extra shots out of your brass, it might be worthwhile.

The Hart tool needs to be constructed of higher strength steel so the impacting pieces don't flare out and deform under the forces required to tighten up (pinch down) the primer pockets.

The hart tool seems to be kinda a disposable tool to me. I was at first impressed with it, but as time went out the tool wore out and it became useless. It did save me some brass that was a pain to replace. I still use one to save neck turned cases at times. It does not take as much hammer as most people use.

 

[Pdvdh]

The hart tool seems to be kinda a disposable tool to me. I was at first impressed with it, but as time went out the tool wore out and it became useless. It did save me some brass that was a pain to replace. I still use one to save neck turned cases at times. It does not take as much hammer as most people use.

When I used this tool on Lapua and RWS brass, it took quite a forceful hammer blow to compress the brass around the primer pocket. But I think your statement is correct for the softer brands of brass case heads.