OzFclass

My step grandson has Federal and Winchester .223 cases once fired by him. I am taking him through the reloading process to get him shooting reloads to make it cheaper for him to shoot. The other day after reloading some Winchester cases we moved onto the Federal. We encountered a problem with the priming of these cases, the primers would not go in.
I did some measurements and the primer pocket measurers .168 and primers measure .1745. Had no problems with the Winchester cases, so obviously the are a bit larger and the primers fitted. Did not have a empty Winchester case to measure the pocket. Has anyone had this problem and what is the fix if any. In 50 years of re-loading this is my first experience with .223 loading, so do not know of problems that may raise their ugly heads. Information please. If any use the Federal ammo has a green substance of some sort around the primer.
Cheers,
Trevor.

Trev
A lot of Federal loaded ammo have crimped primers.
Especially the smaller calibers
I have experienced this with 204 Ruger and .223
You can deprime but not reprime without chamfering the primer pocket
Because I had approx 7K of these cases in NZ from many years of rabbi5 shooting I bought a Dillon tool to swage primer pockets

Thanks Shane,
I knew military ammo had the crimped primers but not ordinary hunting ammo.
Cheers,
Trevor.

Hi Trev
If you still want to use the cases I've got an RCBS primer pocket swager.
I've never used it so can't speak for it's effectiveness but you're more than welcome to have a go with it.
Fits a standard press
Are you going to Queens?

Thanks Tim,
Will not be down for the Queens. Have been given a primer pocket reamer which is supposed to remove crimp and uniform pockets. Will give it a try , and if it does not work will take you up on your offer. Have a good Queens shoot.
Cheers,
Trevor.

If I recall correctly some of the Federal has the crimped style military primer pockets but not all of the Federal does. Depends which brand/line of ammo you got from Federal.

Hi Frank,
Yes these do have the crimped primer pockets. Have not tried the pocket reamer I have been given yet.
Cheers,
Trevor.