303 Military primer crimp

[biggles]

I have a bunch of military brass (once fired) that I hope to start reloading shortly. The only reloading experience I have up to now is with new brass & blackpowder.
So anyway I was reading an old reloading manual & came across reference to military brass having a "primer crimp". Looking at my brass (1940's) I see that my brass does indeed have this "crimp".
The manual was not very clear about how to handle this situation, except that pushing the primers out seems to require more pressure & an extra "cutting" or "swaging" operation is necessary on the empty pocket before repriming.
How do you handle these extra operations?. Is one better than the other?.
Any guidance or comments would be appreciated.

I have searched here but came up empty handed (or blank screened).
Peter (Burlington, Ont.)

Information

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[tiriaq]

Your brass is Boxer primed? Nice DI headstamp perhaps?
Decap it normally. Might take a bit more pressure.
You can buy primer pocket swagers from RCBS or Dillon. If you are processing a lot of brass, this might make sense.
You can ream out the crimp with: a sharp jack knife; your case neck chamfering tool; a sharp countersink. Don't cut away any more brass than necessary.
If the primers do not want to seat easily, there is still crimp present.
Before you proceed too far with your case prep, inspect the brass very carefully for signs of incipient separations. Lee Enfield Rifles may be among the worst offenders when it comes to case separations. With assorted .303 range brass, I anticipate culling as much as 20%.

[gandog56]

I hear you on that. Just had my second case separation today in my No.4 Mk.1. Both times it was reloaded S&B brass. No other brass has done it to me. Makes me wonder if I got a bad batch or something.

I now carry a .303 broken shell extractor in my range bag.

[biggles]

Yes my brass is 1941 -1943 DIZ stamped. Which I believe is non corrosive Boxer primed. I found a couple of boxes of it among my Dad's stuff after he passed away.
Thanks for the info., I went & looked up the RCBS & see the item you mentioned (Swager). Would you believe I had gone through the catalogue numerous times & just not seen this item.
I will be "downloading" the reloaded rounds, hoping to extend their life, since I will be only shooting paper.
Peter (Burlington, Ontario)

Your brass is Boxer primed? Nice DI headstamp perhaps?
Decap it normally. Might take a bit more pressure.
You can buy primer pocket swagers from RCBS or Dillon. If you are processing a lot of brass, this might make sense.
You can ream out the crimp with: a sharp jack knife; your case neck chamfering tool; a sharp countersink. Don't cut away any more brass than necessary.
If the primers do not want to seat easily, there is still crimp present.
Before you proceed too far with your case prep, inspect the brass very carefully for signs of incipient separations. Lee Enfield Rifles may be among the worst offenders when it comes to case separations. With assorted .303 range brass, I anticipate culling as much as 20%.

[Surp_Shooter]

I went & looked up the RCBS & see the item you mentioned (Swager). Would you believe I had gone through the catalogue numerous times & just not seen this item.

What you are looking for is RCBS P/N 9495 Primer Pocket Swager Combo. Catalog price is $35.95. Midway has them for $26.99.

I bought one just recently but haven't used it as of yet.

[Alfred]

Yes my brass is 1941 -1943 DIZ stamped. Which I believe is non corrosive Boxer primed. I found a couple of boxes of it among my Dad's stuff after he passed away.
Thanks for the info., I went & looked up the RCBS & see the item you mentioned (Swager). Would you believe I had gone through the catalogue numerous times & just not seen this item.
I will be "downloading" the reloaded rounds, hoping to extend their life, since I will be only shooting paper.
Peter (Burlington, Ontario)

If the new IMR 4007 SSC powder is available up there you can get MkVII equivalent ballistics at pressures of around 40,000 CUP with that powder.

[biggles]

I dont know if it is or not, since I am so new to reloading. I just brought a pound of IMR4895 so as that gets used up I will keep a look out for the IMR4007.
I must admit that at the moment I am a bit amazed at the variety of powders available, many of which seem to do the same thing. Especially when they have the same numbers, such as IMR4895 VS H4895...very confusing?.
Peter (Burlington, Ont.)

If the new IMR 4007 SSC powder is available up there you can get MkVII equivalent ballistics at pressures of around 40,000 CUP with that powder.

[Alfred]

I dont know if it is or not, since I am so new to reloading. I just brought a pound of IMR4895 so as that gets used up I will keep a look out for the IMR4007.
I must admit that at the moment I am a bit amazed at the variety of powders available, many of which seem to do the same thing. Especially when they have the same numbers, such as IMR4895 VS H4895...very confusing?.
Peter (Burlington, Ont.)

I just bought a pound of H4895 because local stores haven't been able to get any IMR 4007 SSC yet.

H4895 is a clone of IMR 4895 derived from old stock samples of IMR 4895 that Hodgdon sent to companies in Scotland and Australia for replication.
The H4895 mimics the burning rate of the slightly degraded samples rather than the original product.
H4895 also benefits from more advanced manufacturing techniques, so as long as you don't get the loading data confused both are excellent powders, with a slight edge going to the ADI product from what I hear.

IMR 4007 SCC is the new "Super Short Cut" tublar grain that gives Ball Powder like characteristics without the drawbacks of a Double Base propellant, no Nitroglycerin so less erosion and no need for moderating additives to reduce flame temperatures that leave carbon and other hard fouling.
If it lives up to its hype , the SSC powder should give lower pressures for the same velocities ,with a longer smoother power curve, and easy cleanup.