Small rifle primer issue

[Hoppy]

I am loading up the first of my brass for my new .204 and when I am trying to seat the primers with the RCBS universal hand tool they are sitting proud of the case. Brass is brand new Norma with RWS primers. I can see the plunger is actually deforming the primer when fully closed, I will attach some pictures.
My guess is I perhaps need to clean out the primer pockets but wanted some advice before I attack some brand new brass.
Thanks

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Are you using the correct shell holder? It doesn't look like the primer is going in straight

 

[Heym SR20]

I am loading up the first of my brass for my new .204 and when I am trying to seat the primers with the RCBS universal hand tool they are sitting proud of the case. Brass is brand new Norma with RWS primers. I can see the plunger is actually deforming the primer when fully closed, I will attach some pictures.
My guess is I perhaps need to clean out the primer pockets but wanted some advice before I attack some brand new brass.
Thanks View attachment 403166

I seem to get that with my lee hand primer as well in 223 and 22 Hornet. They still chamber and go bang perfectly well and the bang smooths out the debt. So I have stopped worrying about it.

 

[Hoppy]

Are you using the correct shell holder? It doesn't look like the primer is going in straight

It’s the universal hand primer that doesn’t use shell holders, I do wonder if there is a way to tighten the jaws on it?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

It’s the universal hand primer that doesn’t use shell holders, I do wonder if there is a way to tighten the jaws on it?

Ah gotcha, I'd suggest something may be out of line in that case?

 

[Hoppy]

Ah gotcha, I'd suggest something may be out of line in that case?

Happened in a few cases, tried fitting the primer seater on the press and it was the same

 

[Hoppy]

Spoke to a friend with a lot more reloading experience than me and he had the same issue and bought a dedicated small rifle hand primer, was an unbranded eBay job which he said worked better. So looks like getting a dedicated small primer is the way forward. Does any one have any recommendations?

 

[Pedro]

I'd suggest, new or not, the pockets need a bit of a seeing to.

 

[Hoppy]

Lee auto bench primer? People say it’s great for seating tricky primers, anyone use one?

 

[Hoppy]

I'd suggest, new or not, the pockets need a bit of a seeing to.

I tried that and it didn’t make a difference, the RCBS universal just doesn’t hold the cases firm enough, it’s great for my larger calibres but no use for .204

 

[angusb1]

I had a similar issue with some RWS brass and murom primers. They were large rifle primers but sounds like the same problem. I primed on the press and got most of them seated properly. The second time I used the brass I don't think I had the same problem

 

[User00056]

Lee auto bench primer? People say it’s great for seating tricky primers, anyone use one?

I have one. Works very well, albeit the loading tray can be a bit fiddly

 

[NP435]

It’s the universal hand primer that doesn’t use shell holders, I do wonder if there is a way to tighten the jaws on it?

Not that I know of I use the same tool never a problem with primers seated proud. You might consider running them back through and really carefully applying some pressure until the primer isn't seated proud of the pocket.

 

[Hoppy]

Not that I know of I use the same tool never a problem with primers seated proud. You might consider running them back through and really carefully applying some pressure until the primer isn't seated proud of the pocket.

I squeeze the primer together until both bits are touching and hold it there, it works perfectly in my 6.5 swede but the .204 case seems to ride up when trying to seat the primer, the primer gets slightly crushed and it’s always off to one side, to much play in this universal primer for small cases

 

[camo304]

You do have the small insert fitted to the primer?, I had same problem when I forgot to swap over the insert from large to small I just swapped the stem

 

[camo304]

I tried that and it didn’t make a difference, the RCBS universal just doesn’t hold the cases firm enough, it’s great for my larger calibres but no use for .204

Mine works perfect now I swapped over the insert white for small black for large.

 

[Hoppy]

I have the white part in and the small rifle pin still too much wiggle room

 

[NP435]

I squeeze the primer together until both bits are touching and hold it there, it works perfectly in my 6.5 swede but the .204 case seems to ride up when trying to seat the primer, the primer gets slightly crushed and it’s always off to one side, to much play in this universal primer for small case

I load 204, perhaps contact RCBS for ideas, another solution is buy the old primer tool and the correct shell holder and use that for 204.

 

[Hoppy]

I load 204, perhaps contact RCBS for ideas, another solution is buy the old primer tool and the correct shell holder and use that for 204.

Have bought a Lee auto bench primer they get good reviews for small rifle priming

 

[JTO]

It’s the universal hand primer that doesn’t use shell holders, I do wonder if there is a way to tighten the jaws on it?

I don't use the RCBS universal primer for .223 case any more, too many case flying out of the jaws. I used a Frankford Arsenal hand primer for .223 now.
Too much plastic in the Lee version. I assume the Lee bench version has the same plastic bits.