125 gr vs 158 gr

[Mike.357]

Mugster you are comparing apples to oranges here. The Lee Loader I use is similar to this

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0003091210526a.shtml

Loading of the primer is done by placing a primer on the priming chamber and driving a casing out of the body (silver socket looking thing) onto the primer. To do this you use a supplied rod and a mallet. not at all the same thing as you are speaking of.

Did you read the entire thread or have you been cherry picking?

this loading method has been around for a very long time.

I do not think I am eventually going to hurt myself by popping an occassional primer.

They are a bit loud and startling when it happens but it ain't that big of a deal, really.

If they all feel the same, get a different priming device.

read my fourth last sentence in post #96

[Guest Mugster]

I always RTFM...its either a curse or the one thing that might save my ass one day.

So my guess is, and i'm *guessing* because you aren't telling me how you are setting off the primer, you are priming in 2 or 3 blows and setting the primer off by too big of a hit. If this is wrong please tell me. The solution is to take your time and tap it in with lots of very small blows, like 50-60 or more. Once you've reloaded a case 5-6 times, you might get away with a little more speed.

Also, switch to CCI primers. They are less sensitive...although this won't stop your problem I do not think.

[Marswolf]

I'd get one of these. It came with my reloading set, but you can buy them separately:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&rid=&indexId=cat20849&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=2&parentType=index&parentId=cat20849&id=0003092

[Mike.357]

dunno what RTFM means.

I typically set the primer with 5 to 6 taps of the mallet, there is a fairly distinct sound when it sets in place. Of course the primer popping is fairly distinct as well, lol.

I am using CCI primers on the mags, never set one off. Wolf primers on the .45's.

50-60 blows is a little unreasonable I think. I do not strike the priming rod very hard at all. I believe the Wolf primers are just a little softer, probably will not get them anymore.

Mars that is the piece I have been looking at and will probably get before loading anymore .45's

I have learned that S&B brass is the hardest to set a primer in and Winchester the easiest.

[Marswolf]

I'm seriously considering getting out of reloading. I have someone who really wants my Remington 700 VS and that's the only round I load for. So I may be selling off my reloading setup. I'll probably see if someone wants the whole setup first, but if I can't find a buyer that way, I'll probably sell stuff off individually.

[Guest Mugster]

RTFM = Read The F*&%% Manual

[Mike.357]

Gotcha about the manual,

Now the manual that came with the Lee Loader says

" Place primer into the locating ring and use several light taps on the priming rod to forve the shell out of the die onto the primer. You'll be able to tell when the primer is home by the sound. NEVER SEAT A PRIMER DEEPER AFTER POWDERIS ADDED."

And that is what I do.

[Guest Jamesmb]

Me too Mike. The three times I have had primers go off, I did not strike the hammer any harder then other times. Sometimes when I set a primer the primer stays in the cup in the priming chamber and takes alot of a strike to get it in the shell. But these primers have not gone off. Also I have taken up the shell to see if the primer is set and many times they have not been in the little hole as I had set them in, but this has not set them off. I never can tell by hearing if the primer is set or not I have to pick it up to see and or feel.

I shot the reloads today and shot some Magtech 158gr ammo I had, the Magtech is much stronger then my reloads so I am well within the starting loads. I might get a scale to bring them up a little. There is a noticeable difference. I think I am way under any max load.

[Marswolf]

I never can tell by hearing if the primer is set or not/QUOTE]

Especially after the first one or two go off.

[Guest Jamesmb]

Just popped number four! Must be a better way.

[Mike.357]

Just popped number four! Must be a better way.

see post # 103

[Marswolf]

Just popped number four! Must be a better way.

As Mike says, see my previous post's.

I'd do something else if I was you.

[Guest Jamesmb]

Number 5.

[Guest Jamesmb]

Number six, wish I hadnt sunk this money into this.

[Guest dotsun]

I have some reloading stuff for sale in the gun acc section, including a hand primer tool, James. I've never popped a primer using one of those.

[Mike.357]

James are you reading the posts? You can buy a primer tool for about 20 bucks, not worth whatever you are doing to keep popping them things.

[Guest dotsun]

James are you reading the posts? You can buy a primer tool for about 20 bucks, not worth whatever you are doing to keep popping them things.

I'd check out this guy's stuff, he's a kewl kat.

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=52145#post52145

[Mike.357]

Dave does that guy whose ad you mentioned still have the priming tool?

[Guest dotsun]

I'm entertaining an offer from Boom atm. I'll let you know if he buys me out or not, Mike.

[Guest Jamesmb]

Well I popped seven so far out of 164 which is 1 in 23. After six I started wearing my shooting ear muffs. That last one I barely heard!

I might be interested in what you have left dotsun if Mike and Boom pass on them.

[Guest dotsun]

Sorry guys, Boom bought it all.

[Mike.357]

Well Boom is wealthy and all so that did not suprise me. No big deal really to pick up a primer from another source.

Glad you finally moved it all.

[Marswolf]

I dug out my reloading stuff yesterday. The guy bought my 700. Hated to get rid of it, but I haven't shot it in over a year. Silly to have it just sitting around.

So when I get un-lazy, I'll assemble the stuff and take a picture. I'll give someone a good deal on a lot of gear.

[Guest Jamesmb]

James are you reading the posts? You can buy a primer tool for about 20 bucks, not worth whatever you are doing to keep popping them things.

Hey Mike,

Do you use one of those hand held primer tools? I just reloaded 49 rounds and only popped one primer. You said you were averaging one in fifty for some kind of reloading you were doing. Really not that bad popping one with glasses and ear muffs on. Also I shot a reload round today at the ranges and nothing happened. I pulled the bullet and it had gunpowder in it. The primer was dented but not sure if it set off. You ever had that happen?

[musicman]

I'm not mike, but I use a handheld priming tool. Like he said, they can be had for about $20, and it sounds like a GREAT investment in safety for you. I have NEVER popped a primer while loading, and would poop my pants if I did.

Yes, sometimes a primer will show signs of being struck, but not go off. If the primer was set too deeply, there may not be enough force to set it off. Some action designs do not always strike the primer with equal force. Hard primers (usually CCI) and light trigger jobs (PPC guns, etc) usually don't mix well, as a hard primer and a light strike lead to iffy ignition.

I have been following this thread here and there, and once again will advise that you get a handheld priming device. Mike has mentioned it, as I believe others have. PLEASE DO IT!

Buy this: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=807875&t=11082005

and this: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=566058&t=11082005

Do you already have this? http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=484416&t=11082005 It's out of stock now, but due in soon. Reading this COMPLETELY and THOROUGHLY will really help you understand what you're doing, and save you a lot of trouble.

If you can, I suggest going this route: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=480380&t=11082005 For just $12 more than the manual alone, get a single stage press, too!