Swage or cut primer crimp

B

bigtommy

Member
I am practically able to get all the free military brass I want for my 223 so I am looking at getting a swager or cutting them with a rcbs or Lyman case prep center with a cutter. What are your thoughts on swage vs cutting and also on Lyman case prep xpress vs rcbs trim mate.
 
I recently got a RCBS swager die for under $25. It works but it is NOT a smooth operation and it requires a lot of force. Must decap first in a separate step, then swage, then re-size.

If I was gonna do it regularly I'd invest more $ and get the Dillon Super Swager.
 
I have the Dillon and the press mounted RCBS (old school). I used the RCBS but moved to the Dillon. I have used the Dillon for well over 20 years but lately I have been cutting them using a deburring tool in my drill. The cutting is far faster and easier on my elbows and wrists. I found myself with 2,000 6.8's that were crimped a about a yer ago and the drill sure made short work of them. It isn't hard once you develop the touch.

I have had no issues i over/undercutting. Primers are staying in pace during firing top end loads and pocket integrity has not suffered based on what I'm seeing. I believe like many surgeons do, "To cut is to cure."

Greg
 
I also use the deburring tool method in my lathe. I use a Lyman VLD tool and it seems to cut things out just right when it bottoms out in the pocket. Pretty quick when you have a lot to do.
 
ive used the RCBS military crimp remover (cutter). it works great, but i find it works a LOT better if you use it on somethign with higher RPM than a case prep station... like a small hand drill. the lyman primer pocket reamer threads right into the tool for a great applicatoin for a drill stem - or any 8-32 threaded tool for that matter. The primer pocket reamer works nice as well.






i find this was a MUCH nicer option than using a chamfer tool as you dont have to worry about over reaming your pockets. just spin until it stops cutting and you're good to go.

i suggest wearing gloves (like jersey gloves) while doing this so that if one does bind/lock up on you, you have a much lower risk of getting cut by the case mouth.
 
I say Dillon and be done with it, especially with any volume. I've used a cutter in a drill but prefer the Dillon. My Dillon made short work of the 4000 I processed last winter, I wouldn't have wanted to do that with a cutter.
 
The Dillon bench mount would be the way to do large volumes.

Look at some of the mods people are doing on them. You can really quicken up the process.
 
I use a chamfer tool holder, that chucks up in a hand drill, or drill press. The slight tapered pocket helps progressives find the primer pocket, too. To me cutting just makes more sense than shearing(swaging).

Squeeze
 
Originally Posted By: SqueezeI use a chamfer tool holder, that chucks up in a hand drill, or drill press. The slight tapered pocket helps progressives find the primer pocket, too. To me cutting just makes more sense than shearing(swaging).

Squeeze

This is a holder that was custom done for me almost 30 years ago. It will also hold my K&M VLD chamfer tool. Just flipping the tool and putting it in my Mikiata has saved my wrists from carpal tunnel quite nicely. I got a terrible case of tendinitis, lasted six months, using the Dillon.



Greg
 


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