Priming
Seat primers consistently — depth, feel, and seating force matter more than most reloaders realize.
Primers contain an impact-sensitive compound. Keep them away from loose powder, and prime cases in a separate operation from charging. One unintended strike is enough.
Avoid pouring primers into your hand or working from a loose pile. Use a primer flip tray and load your tool from the tray. If you drop a primer, don't chase it — let it land and handle it carefully.
A dirty or obstructed primer pocket affects seating depth and can cause ignition issues. Use a primer pocket cleaner after tumbling — it takes seconds and removes carbon buildup from the flash hole area.
Primer pockets loosen with repeated firings. Press a primer in by hand — it should hold in place without falling through. If it drops out under its own weight, the case is at end of life. Pull it from rotation.
A properly seated primer sits flush to 0.002" below the case head. High primers — where any part of the primer protrudes above flush — are a safety concern and must be reseated or discarded. Feel for consistent resistance throughout the seating stroke.
Different primer brands and types produce different ignition characteristics. Don't mix brands or types within a load. Document what you're using — if you run a different lot number later, it's a tracked variable.
- Primer brand and lot number
- Seating feel — smooth / resistant / loose
- Any primers flagged and discarded
- Pocket condition notes (tight / normal / loose)
- Bench date and session number