Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 223 brass priming question

I have about 200 federal brass that were shot one time through an AR. Upon reloading them, the primers won't seat, the hole is too small. The primer holes have been completely cleaned out, so build up is not an issue. Tried 2 types of primers. Cci 400 small rifle, and federal AR small rifle primers. Same result. I then tried a separate batch of brass, not federal, and the primers seated just fine. Any suggestions???

Crimped primers you need something like this, or use a vld chamfer tool

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012744621/?pid=501588

Thanks. I was wondering if they were crimped, but couldn't really tell.

Just about any time you run into this with 223 brass, you can assume its been crimped. Be aware that there are other manufactures out there that also crimp the primers in their 223 rem brass. Also, not all FC 223 brass is crimped as well. If you are scrounging brass at the range, the LC brass is more than likely going to be crimped too. I'm pretty selective, and just leave that schidt lay.

Thanks guys, for the quick help. I just ordered a reamer, so I should be good to go.

Some guys think it's worth it, but I don't. I have found thousands of pcs of great useable brass at the range. Never needing to buy 223 rem brass, but have bought some Lapua to see what all the hype was. I've broken enough decapping pins to know the crimped in primers are meant for someone else. Good luck with it.

There isn't much for ranges around here, I live in the sticks. But fortunately I already resized the brass, and didn't have any problems. As to the Lapua brass, I use it in my 243, and 308, and it is truly good stuff.

Not a lot of rhyme or reason to what is crimped and what isn't, especially since Federal was operating Lake City until a couple of years ago and producing both .223 & 5.56 for themselves and Frontier (Hornady) on the lines. I suspect Winchester is doing the same thing now. I just figure on reaming all of the brass that gets mixed in with mine at the range. Chuck the Hornady tool in a drill, remove the crimp, flip the case and inside chamfer the mouth with the same tool; only takes a couple of seconds and never worry about it again until the case grows too long. Lots of them get lost before that happens.

I found this to work for me. https://www.rcbs.com/case-processing/accessories/primer-pocket-swager-combo-2/16-9481.html

I did have a Reamer, can't remember the brand, and it didn't work so well. Primers would seat, but with difficulty.

Along with the Swager, I keep de-capping pins on hand. Every once in a while I'll come across a brand of brass that will break one.

Some brass has a smaller flash hole. It will break or bend a decapping pin.

Surely you have a chamfer tool. Stick it in the primer pocket and give it a twist.

Champher tools work pretty well witht he exception of some VLD champhering tools. Mine bottoms out in the primer pocket before it cuts the crimp. An older RCBS tool works.

I use to experience that, and solved it with a chamfering tool.

Then I bought a used Dillon Swaging tool from Hanco for $50.

Best $50 I've spent for anything that sits on my reloading bench.

I thank Hanco for that exchange each time I have to use it. Most of the brass I shoot and have shot over the last 30 plus years has ALWAYS been range pick up brass.