shoozen Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 My first run with the new 550: Loading .45 auto in new brass with CCI large pistol primers. I'm noticing an occasional shallow round dent in the primer of newly loaded cartridges. A bit disconcerting, but no 'bangs' as of yet. Primers are seating flush with the case, i.e. not sticking out, nor receding. Dents are usually round, flat (ie. not dimpled like a striker makes), mostly off-center. I have test fired my first loads and all went according to plan and all performed quite nicely including the dented ones. Just can't understand what might be causing this. Must be my noob technique, but don't know for sure. [image attached] Any suggestions are welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Those are caused by loose debris on the primer seating stem. Not a big deal, just be sure to seat your primers firmly but gently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aug1911 Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I will have the same thing if I don't watch for debris getting in the primer cup. I blow out the primer area with lite air pressure either from my small air compressor or compressed air can. The debris comes from the primer pocket when depriming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoozen Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Thanks for the insights! Can't be from deprime, though, since these are new cases. However, I will be switching to 9mm this afternoon and those will have spent primers (read: range brass). So good to know, aug1911, I'll be on the lookout. The "firmly but gently" is probably the key in this case. I'm find fewer as I go along, as I'm becoming more comfortable. Much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleytech Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I keep a can of compressed air on my loading bench to remove debris from my shellplate and primer seating stem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Most of the time I find it caused by loose powder getting in the primer cup (as stated as debris above) if you prime with it several times it takes a stiff brush to break it loose before my air compressor will blow it out. Just keep your eye on the priming stem and brush and blow off your shell plate between loading the primer tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 yep, scrape off the anvil with a pick or small screwdriver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingrhino Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 powder flakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
practical_man Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 yep, scrape off the anvil with a pick or small screwdriver. Or use a pencil eraser. I keep a small paint brush and canned air on the bench to keep anvil clean. It's almost always powder flakes causing offensive dents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tires2burn Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I have found small bits of brass that got sheared off when I seated the primer. It will lay in the primer cup and dent the next primer you seat. Pull the handle a little and the primer cup is easy to clean out with a acid brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Get yourself some cheap toothbrushes to keep beside your press. Got 4 from the Dollar Store for.... well, a dollar. Good to have around while loading. Quick, fast, and easy to brush across the plate and primer cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaskillo Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Too much build up can cause primer detonation....just pay attention and keep the primer seating rod clean....it just takes a few seconds to brush it clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 It's caused by 2 things....stuff on the seater (powder, debri, etc.) or heavy handed seating....in your pics, it's heavy handed seating... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishsticks Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I keep a can of compressed air on my loading bench to remove debris from my shellplate and primer seating stem. This is how I deal with it. GrumpyOne is correct also, don't seat them with too much force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkheard Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Seating always firm and gentle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEP44 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 If I see this during a reloading session I simply remove the case after I seated the primer, don't advance the shell plate and again push the handle as if you seat a primer while using a toothbrush to clean the empty and popped out primer seat anvil. Reinsert the primed case and advance the shell plate. Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmagee67 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I use a small chip brush (cheap paint brush) 1 inch wide, I brush off the first station every once in a while. I also brush off the primer feed arm every 200-400 rounds. I've never had a round fail to go BOOM with those type of impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHunter Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 When dent appears, like others have said, I stop and clean, brush and vacuum the area. Mine are all caused by debris. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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