Difficult primer seating

[Ken]

I fired my Universal up after 20 years of storage. I checked everything out first, and the primer seating anvil looks fine, no binding, etc. Does anyone know why once fired Federal brass (45 ACP) binds the machine up resulting in no primer being seated? Even primers that seat correctly seem to take a little more pressure than what I remember (maybe I was stronger 20 yrs ago!). Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Jep]

Hi:
  I have found some .45 ACP brass that has small primer pockets.  They do bind up the machine. 
Jep

[Ken]

I think I found the problem with the primer holes. I mic'd the  problem cases and found the primer holes to be about 40 thousands smaller than a standard large pistol primer. Perhaps this brass is not intended for reloading??

[CDRT]

Some Winchester cases (marked NT) use small pistol primers rather than large pistol primers.  NT = Non Toxic.  I haven't heard of Federal doing the same thing, but maybe that's what you have.

[1960]

A primer pocket reamer may help the situation.

[varmintpopper]

After a Hundred Years of Near Perfection, Someone came along with a bright new Idea to change something that didn't need changing, I wonder if OBAMA had anything to do with these small Primers ? Oh well, Just a thought.

Good Shooting

Lindy

[leatherguy]

Thought you would like to know! I picked up some 45 brass after an IDPA shoot last week, and when I was loading them, the handle on my star stopped DEAD, like I hit a wall. it was Federal brass cases with small primer pockets. I am glad I read about this on the forum. That was the first place I looked to see what the problem was. I never had my machine stop like that! Check the primer pockets!

[Pappy]

When most of us buy large amounts of brass is can be interesting to find that 45 ACP as we all know has some strange cousins..... 45 GAP, also has a small primer pocket... Locks up the press RFN. At that point it is clear what G A P stands for... I just wonder, Why would anyone put themselves in a position that Ammo for a side arm would be a non standard hard to get in a pinch, 45 ACP SHORT just my thoughts . JP

[joe3320]

Hi all,

It appears that all .45ACP brass was made with small primer pockets back in the day.

It was made larger to satisfy government contracts for the military in the late 20's-early 30's.

Here is some history about the .45 and the brass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp-HFVG_c4Q

[johnfreeman]

Federal seems to be the biggest group of knotheads offender in my samples, with BLAZER being the one I find most often.  I presort my brass but inevitably some squeak through.

It's a perfect answer to a question nobody asked. Undoubtedly some beancounter breakthrough to save money...