Primer Seating Problem

[NorwichCadet]

Lee Challenger Press installing primers with the primer arm . 30-06 LC once fired brass. CCI Large Rifle primers. It is almost impossible getting the primers seated. A few have seated after way to much force. Many are going in crooked/angled. Wondering if the CCI primers are not compatible (too big) for the LC brass. Recently loaded .308 Winchester brass with same primers with no issues. THANKS

Information

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[ssgross]

my first guess would be that the primer pocket crimp on your LC brass is still intact.

[WarPig1976]

You need this or one from one of the other companies. The crimp has to be removed.
RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo 2

[ssgross]

I have tried just about every pocket swage tool out there, and never gotten good results. I prefer the RCBS cutting tool. The flat bottom ensures a square and uniform result.
https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-90387-Mi.../dp/B0063IDEK6

[steveu]

You can use a chamfer tool to cut the crimp. Use a regular one, not one for vld bullets.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The Dillon 600 is what I settled on after flogging out both a CH and RCBS tools. The centre spindle that rides inside the case and supports the web tents to bend if you run a case that has an extra-thick web.

Dillon are not exactly giving the 600 away, but mine has given no problems in the several years I have owned it. I did about six thousand assorted cases last year. Most of them are still in airtight storage jars til I lose or wear out my current shooting brass. Batch your brass by brand / headstamp. Different lots, even form the same manufacturer can have slightly different web thicknesses. There is sufficient "leverage" in the 600 to seriously "enlarge" a primer pocket.

For those adventurous souls reloading Berdan-primed military brass. if you run a small carbide centre drill a short way into the plunger for the "large rifle/ pistol" setup, you can also use the same tool to process the .217" pockets on the cases most reloaders reject.

It you are going for the high-achiever / desperado award and processing .303 with the .250" Berdan primer of any of the oddball European or Chinese stuff that takes the .254" primer; see plan "B". Caveat: find replacement primers FIRST.

Bear in mind that this operation only needs to be done ONCE in the lifetime of each case, unlike neck-trimming.

[NorwichCadet]

Thanks all. Definitely my problem.

[browningautorifle]

The Dillon 600

That's the one I've been using since about '88 or '89. It's far easier than others although I do have a couple others. More accurate and repeatable too.