Primer problem

[mikesy]

I've just deprimed and washed some 222 federal once fired brass and on inspection I noticed that around half of the brass ( where the primer sits) there is a silver ring visible inside the recess .
I assume that it's part of the primer, any suggestions on how this has happened and how to remove them without damaging the brass.
Thanks

 

[cjs66]

It's a crimp, just use your chamfering tool and give a little twist to get the new primer started. Don't take too much brass off the case head.

cjs

 

[Fosbery Holster]

That looks to me to be the rim of the primer left behind in the primer pocket, you will have to remove it before you can prime the case again.

Just offer up another primer by hand and you will probably find your new primer will sit on top of the rim that’s left behind.

 

[Rory]

Does the silver coloured ring goe all the way down to the bottom? Is it like a sleeve in the primer pocket?

 

[mikesy]

Does the silver coloured ring goe all the way down to the bottom? Is it like a sleeve in the primer pocket?

It goes down the inside as far as I can see and the hole is clear ar the bottom.

 

[mikesy]

That looks to me to be the rim of the primer left behind in the primer pocket, you will have to remove it before you can prime the case again.

Just offer up another primer by hand and you will probably find your new primer will sit on top of the rim that’s left behind.

I'm still a learner at reloading, is it safe to do that?

 

[Laurie]

It's a primer crimp as @cjs66 says and must be removed before a new primer is inserted. At one time, only ex military 5.56mm cases had this feature, but many recent commercial 223 Rem cases in factory loaded ammunition including Federal (FC headstamp) have now been given it for one reason or other.

There is a previous thread on SD about this subject that is well worth reading:

.223 primer crimp advice please

 

[Fosbery Holster]

Don’t try to prime your case with whatever means you normally prime with, just sit another primer on top of the silver ring by hand and it will show you that the rim of the fired primer has been left behind when you de-primed your brass.
My reason for the above is just to show you that the rim of the fired primer has been left behind in the primer pocket.
You will have to remove the rim (silver ring) before you can prime your case to be reused.

 

[Alantoo]

Did you not notice a different feel when depriming the silver lined ones?

Have you had a look through the pile of primers to see if there are a corresponding number of sheared off dimpled discs instead of complete primer cups amongst it?

Alan

 

[Laurie]

PS looking at the pic again, that's not a 'silver' ring. It's brass (the crimp) stained blue from the primer sealant that FC puts on all of its loaded ammunition.

 

[Alantoo]

PS looking at the pic again, that's not a 'silver' ring. It's brass (the crimp) stained blue from the primer sealant that FC puts on all of its loaded ammunition.

I agree the blue colour in the gulley is the sealant, but the left hand case just shows a chamfer and no sign of a crimp...so I presumed the upstanding ridge part seen in the right hand case was the sheared off tubular remains of the primer...

Not clear in the photo...but the OP does say they are silver all the way down which does also indicate the primer cups broke up and left a bit in.

Easy for the OP to check the pile of primers and see if they are all whole or if there are some dimpled discs...

Looks like the sealer did too good a job and the primer bases were strained/weakened when fired and came off with the depriming.

Alan

 

[cjs66]

A light chamfer will sort the problem, its a crimp, not what's left of a primer, if you check the primers you've knocked out, they will be complete. I've done loads of them. Just don't go too hard.

cjs

 

[Alantoo]

A light chamfer will sort the problem, its a crimp, not what's left of a primer, if you check the primers you've knocked out, they will be complete. I've done loads of them. Just don't go too hard.

cjs

Look at the lefthand case pocket...there is no sign of a crimp.

Alan

 

[cjs66]

Yep, some are crimped, some not. Different batch? That what I've found with 222 Fed brass.

cjs

 

[Alantoo]

Yep, some are crimped, some not. Different batch? That what I've found with 222 Fed brass.

cjs

Ah. I presumed they were all same batch/source.

I still think it must be the remains of the primer if the pocket is lined with silver.

Alan

 

[cjs66]

It would be worth the op's time to deprime a few with a decapping die and check the primers that come out but in my experience, it's been crimped and as Laurie said, they must be removed or the new primer deforms. But I have had Fed brass in 222 without the crimp.
These are just my findings and were sorted with the chamfer tool. Hope you get sorted.

cjs

 

[mikesy]

Thanks for all the replies. The brass was bought in one batch of 100. All I was told was that they were once fired.
Looks like they could be from different batches, I've added hopefully better pics to see if it helps. I tried to remove a couple of the rims with the chamfer tool but they are pretty solid.

 

[cjs66]

You're not going to get the full crimp out, honestly just give the chamfer tool a go. All you need is a start for the new primer and you'll be good to go Or dig deep and buy a new box of Lapua.

cjs

 

[mikesy]

You're not going to get the full crimp out, honestly just give the chamfer tool a go. All you need is a start for the new primer and you'll be good to go Or dig deep and buy a new box of Lapua.

cjs

So you reckon that if I fit a new primer it's safe enough to use.

 

[cjs66]

Yes, if you just put a chamfer on the crimp, that's the bit you can see lining the primer hole, don't go digging deep or into the case head. I've done loads of Fed brass in 222 this way, without a problem. New Lapua is the way to go though, less than £60 gets you god knows how many reloads out of them. I can't put a number on it because mine is yet to fail. But yes, you'll be ok with the Fed.

cjs