S&B Brass

JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
A couple days ago, on the "what ya doin" thread, I mentioned about finding a good batch (about 300) of 45acp S&B brass from the range after a Police qual shoot. I wasn't gonna do anything with these, but you all know how that goes.

Years ago, when buying and sorting large quantities of range brass, I accumulated a large quantity of 9mm S&B brass. Those all had sealed primers, a fact I forgot about, until I did this little experiment. When I tried loading that 9mm, I had lots of problems with primer pockets and cleaning them and seating new primers. So I ended up selling that brass (cheaply) to another forum member after I mentioned to them all my troubles...I recall if they had a solution or what?

Yesterday, it was hot and humid outside, so I thought a short project in the gun room was a good idea. I deprimed 11 of the 45acp S&B brass, The spent primers (not crimped and not sealed) were pretty flattened, must be some hot loads by S&B? One of the 11 spent primers ripped off (see photo) during decap, maybe it was weakened from the hot load/flatening? They didn't decap real easy, but it was nothing as difficult as crimped primers.

I polished them in treated corncob media for an hour with some other 45 brass.

I checked the pocket size as I cleaned them, with my hand held Pocket scraper. They seemed near normal size.
I didn't do any other pocket prep.

I primed them with the newest WIN WLP I had (I have several lots of older ones).
There was no issue at all with seating primers, I was very happy.
I think I'll load these with the recently cast HM2 455-200 that I lubed/sized (452) with SL68B.

45acp Police qual shoot once fired AUG 2020 500px.jpg

45acp deprimed Police qual shoot once fired AUG 2020 500px.jpg

45acp new WIN primers Police qual shoot once fired AUG 2020 500px.jpg

So, bottom line is, I just wanted to post this, to let you all know that it's best
to check out S&B brass before you "write it off" as problematic, as I almost did.
Of course, I haven't loaded or shot any yet :rolleyes:
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
I see that ''permanent primer'' thing with cases that appear to have got wet.
I have taken the time to drill them out with the primer pocket reamer a time or two, but learned real quick it better be a piece of brass I really need for all that work.
 
O

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
I've picked up a few S&B 45 acp cases, just threw them in with the pile of mixed brass. So far haven't had any trouble. Fopund a S7B 45 Colt case the other day, small primer! That was a surprise
 
B

blackthorn

Active Member
If a particular batch/type of brass exhibits tight primer pockets could one not run them through a primer pocket swagger designed for fixing military crimped pockets?
 
Wasalmonslayer

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
They are definatley a lot harder to get primers seated.
I pick up a ton at my range and they are great until you have to prime them.
now I just swage em all on my rcbs bench mount.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
My rcbs swager only goes abiut halfway down a primer pocket and leves a slight step in the middle of tight ones. That step makes a scary jolt as the primer cup is forced past it. A hand priming tool usually makes short work of tight S&B LPP pockets. The red sealant is easily cleaned out with a depth uniforming tool.

Small primer .45 Colt? New one to me. 454 Casull is SRP and a little longer.

As for flattened primers, I see pin swipes (timing), a sloppy firing pin bushing (craters), and loose headspace (flattening as primer is reseated when pressure builds) but not really any excessive pressure signs.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
If you use LE Wilson tools, their primer tool cuts the sides of the pocket and runs down to the flat. But it is slow as you have to put them in a Wilson shell holder.
 
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fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
blackthorn said:
If a particular batch/type of brass exhibits tight primer pockets could one not run them through a primer pocket swagger designed for fixing military crimped pockets?
Click to expand...

yep piece of cake with the Dillon super swager, it comes with posts and everything for doing both rifle and pistol length cases.
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
Ian said:
SNIP>>>

As for flattened primers, I see pin swipes (timing), a sloppy firing pin bushing (craters), and loose headspace (flattening as primer is reseated when pressure builds) but not really any excessive pressure signs.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the photo's sure don't make them look flat.
I'll have to double check, maybe my photo's just don't show it? or maybe I am all wet :p
 
O

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
Ian said:
Small primer .45 Colt? New one to me. 454 Casull is SRP and a little longer.
Click to expand...

You're right, was in a hurry and when the primer hung up set it aside. Measured with calipers, it measures .003 smaller than a Winchester case on the bench. Guess I either need to get a reamer of pitch it. Only one so guess I'll pitch it.
 
Wasalmonslayer

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
Ian said:
My rcbs swager only goes abiut halfway down a primer pocket and leves a slight step in the middle of tight ones. That step makes a scary jolt as the primer cup is forced past it. A hand priming tool usually makes short work of tight S&B LPP pockets. The red sealant is easily cleaned out with a depth uniforming tool.

Small primer .45 Colt? New one to me. 454 Casull is SRP and a little longer.

As for flattened primers, I see pin swipes (timing), a sloppy firing pin bushing (craters), and loose headspace (flattening as primer is reseated when pressure builds) but not really any excessive pressure signs.
Click to expand...

I have not experienced this issue before with my bench mount.
After swaging the primers glide in with ease.
Ian is yours the bench mount rcbs or the press mount rcbs?
 
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Tomme boy

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
I always liked the 45 s&b brass as it had tight pockets. After 2 loads they were just like all the other brass. Now their 303 and 54r brass is tight and shallow. They are also very hard brass. They need anealled after the first firing. They are the only rifle cases i have hadd split
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Wasalmonslayer said:
I have not experienced this issue before with my bench mount.
After swaging the primers glide in with ease.
Ian is yours the bench mount rcbs or the press mount rcbs?
Click to expand...


Press mount. Wasn't aware there was any other kind. I'm still looking for a de-crimped and stretcher tool that works, so I'm all ears.
 
Wasalmonslayer

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
I made some case bushings to help it center the case quicker and lengthened the handle with a small section of conduit for added leverage and it works superb.
 
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