357 mag issue

[gixer1]

I’ve finally worked up a reduced load for my 357 mag for plinking/target shooting…I eventually bought some new starline brass and it loads very well…

However, after coming to the end of the new brass I decided to start reloading the once fired stuff…..and the problem started!

Everytime I try to reload a once fired cartridge the primer stage of the 3 stage press messes up…you can feel that the primer doesn’t want to seat properly…and that messes up the other stages as the next case doesn’t get pushed fully into the shell holder and the bullet being seated on the seating and crimping stage doesn’t seat properly of get the correct crimp.

Every once fired case I tried have the same effect, even if I tried putting a batch. Or new in as soon as I introduce a single once fired brass case and it gets to the priming stage it messes up the process.

All the ones I tried when inspected have odd damage to the primer cups as per below pic.

I am using PPU primers..not that it should matter as they work fine in the new brass.

I am told no one cleans the 357 brass before loading and obviously de-priming and cleaning out every one prior to reloading is a ball ache considering how many of these will be gone through…

The ones with primer damage will not fire, it’s as if the dimple in the cup is keeping the primer content away from the anvil.

Anyone had this issue before?

 

[scrumbag]

Gixer, what's your set up?

Do you have a hand primer and does it give you the same issues?

 

[Lever357]

So did you buy the Starline brass new, prime and load them and everything was fine. And then now you come to prime a second time you are having the issue??

May just be the picture but the primers do look strange, as if the centre is raised up.

 

[Selous]

I haven’t used PPU primers but Murom were a very tight fit in some of my rifle brass. Might be worth trying a few of another brand. I can’t see how the primer pockets would get smaller with firing other than debris but that doesn’t normally impede primer seating

 

[Dalua]

I’ve finally worked up a reduced load for my 357 mag for plinking/target shooting…I eventually bought some new starline brass and it loads very well…

However, after coming to the end of the new brass I decided to start reloading the once fired stuff…..and the problem started!

Everytime I try to reload a once fired cartridge the primer stage of the 3 stage press messes up…you can feel that the primer doesn’t want to seat properly…and that messes up the other stages as the next case doesn’t get pushed fully into the shell holder and the bullet being seated on the seating and crimping stage doesn’t seat properly of get the correct crimp.

Every once fired case I tried have the same effect, even if I tried putting a batch. Or new in as soon as I introduce a single once fired brass case and it gets to the priming stage it messes up the process.

All the ones I tried when inspected have odd damage to the primer cups as per below pic.

I am using PPU primers..not that it should matter as they work fine in the new brass.

I am told no one cleans the 357 brass before loading and obviously de-priming and cleaning out every one prior to reloading is a ball ache considering how many of these will be gone through…

The ones with primer damage will not fire, it’s as if the dimple in the cup is keeping the primer content away from the anvil.

Anyone had this issue before?

View attachment 280846View attachment 280847

I'm a simple soul, and I have no understanding of multi-stage presses. However, I do load for .357Mag, and from those photos, it looks as though the primer seems to be further into the case than I'd expect to see.

Are the photos of a round which you've fired; or one you've tried to fire, but hasn't gone off?

 

[Smellydog]

They do look deep. Can you measure the primer pocket depth and compare?

 

[gixer1]

Gixer, what's your set up?

Do you have a hand primer and does it give you the same issues?

I am doing it on a Lee multi-stage press…I can’t understand why no issues with new brass but once fired causes the issue.

 

[Dalua]

Don't ask how I know this, but you do get strange results if the thing that actually pushes the primers in is the wrong way up - i.e. is not pushing them in with a flat face. Might not be an option with this set-up though, and is in ay case unlikely to be the problem here if it's only happening with specific cases...

 

[gixer1]

So did you buy the Starline brass new, prime and load them and everything was fine. And then now you come to prime a second time you are having the issue??

May just be the picture but the primers do look strange, as if the centre is raised up.

Correct - no issues in 150+ loaded from new brass, then come to reload after one firing and the issue appears.

 

[gixer1]

They do look deep. Can you measure the primer pocket depth and compare?

On a new vs once fired?

Both 0.1215”

 

[Dalua]

On a new vs once fired?

Both 0.1215”

Are the primers different 'depths', then? The ones in the pic really do look as though they are seated deeper than one would expect.

 

[8x57]

"The ones with primer damage will not fire, it’s as if the dimple in the cup is keeping the primer content away from the anvil."

Have you pushed these primers out and inspected them. I'm just wondering if they may have two anvils (a manufacturing fault that crops up now and again).
Something definitely wrong.
You haven't been using one of them primer pocket tools that takes metal out of the bottom of socket, have you?

 

[markyw]

I have a Lee turret press (which is what I think you are referring to by multi-stage press) and have not seen an issue seating with the on-press primer arm, a Lee hand primer and also a Lee bench primer.
I do not always (read rarely) clean my .357 cases prior to reloading, but do occasionally clean out the primer pockets - more to ensure ignition than to assist seating.

You haven't got any debris in your primer arm, as that can happen and can force primers in deeper than expected??

Mark

Edit: you could mean a progressive press for pistol calibre reloading, came up when I did a quick google on priming issues. there are quite a few videos on the interweb about fixing priming issues, so you may not be alone if this is your setup. I'd suggest working through these to see if you have commonality with any of them.

 

[gixer1]

"The ones with primer damage will not fire, it’s as if the dimple in the cup is keeping the primer content away from the anvil."

Have you pushed these primers out and inspected them. I'm just wondering if they may have two anvils (a manufacturing fault that crops up now and again).
Something definitely wrong.
You haven't been using one of them primer pocket tools that takes metal out of the bottom of socket, have you?

I’ve pushed a few out and no double anvils - it’s definitely something relating to the once fired brass…racking my brain and cannot figure out what though!

 

[gixer1]

I have a Lee turret press (which is what I think you are referring to by multi-stage press) and have not seen an issue seating with the on-press primer arm, a Lee hand primer and also a Lee bench primer.
I do not always (read rarely) clean my .357 cases prior to reloading, but do occasionally clean out the primer pockets - more to ensure ignition than to assist seating.

You haven't got any debris in your primer arm, as that can happen and can force primers in deeper than expected??

Mark

Edit: you could mean a progressive press for pistol calibre reloading, came up when I did a quick google on priming issues. there are quite a few videos on the interweb about fixing priming issues, so you may not be alone if this is your setup. I'd suggest working through these to see if you have commonality with any of them.

Nothing wrong with the priming arm as when I throw a batch of new brass through it works again…

 

[scrumbag]

Do you resize your new brass?

If you don't, I would strip down your resizing die and check the decapping pin protrusion.

Scrummy

 

[8x57]

Too forceful on the priming stroke perhaps, crushing the primers?

 

[Dalua]

Do you resize your new brass?

If you don't, I would strip down your resizing die and check the decapping pin protrusion.

Scrummy

This sounds like it, perhaps - cases with primers partly pushed out having them then pushed back in again extra-deep using a new primer?

 

[gixer1]

Too forceful on the priming stroke perhaps, crushing the primers?

I don’t think it’s that as the handle wouldn’t physically go full stroke - I know this as when you go to move the handle up the next case to be resized and decapped is slightly off (it hasn’t been fully pushed into the shell holder) and won’t enter the resizing die - and it’s because the handle hasn’t made full travel due to bottoming out when the primer is inserted.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[gixer1]

Do you resize your new brass?

If you don't, I would strip down your resizing die and check the decapping pin protrusion.

Scrummy

Why do you think the recapping pin is incorrect? Genuinely curious as this is one of the only things that could be adjusted and I wondered if it was hanging onto an old primer…but don’t know if the shell plate holder could rotate with a primer protruding…