22 hornet brass
12-23-2011, 02:35 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Maine
Posts: 188
22 hornet brass
So I've got some remington and Hornady brass. In the process of uniforming the primer pocket flash hole I found out that the Hornady brass has a smaller flash hole. Is this normal for hornady brass with the 22 hornet? If so whats the reason for doing this?
01-10-2012, 08:32 PM
#2
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Depends on how much of a difference.
I've occasionally encountered some lots of brass -- in rifle and pistol calibers -- that had flash holes slightly smaller than most
The only time it was ever a problem was when I first began reloading, 40 years ago, with a Lee Loader. Had to deprime by hand, with a punch, and it would get stuck in a case. Rather difficult to pull a case off the pin, when it's stuck tight.
But I've never had that problem with a press, which has far more leverage.
You can use a tiny drill bit as a gauge. Use it in brass that has flashholes that are of normal size, ensuring it's a close, slip fit.
Now, use this same bit to gently -- gentlyyyyyy -- ream the tight flashholes to size. It is crucial that you NOT increase the flash hole size drastically. It shouldn't create a hole any larger than normal.
Overly large flashholes will create problems.
But with the judicious use of a close-fitting drill bit, you can increase the flash hole size by a few thousandths.
Does Hornady deliberately make its flash holes smaller? I don't know. I've encountered this problem in all makes, through the years. The worst I've encountered was in the early 1970s, with .32 Winchester Special brass made by Remington. I had to put the primer punch in a vice, and pull the brass off with pliers. That's a tight flash hole!
Haven't encountered anything that bad since.
I've occasionally encountered some lots of brass -- in rifle and pistol calibers -- that had flash holes slightly smaller than most
The only time it was ever a problem was when I first began reloading, 40 years ago, with a Lee Loader. Had to deprime by hand, with a punch, and it would get stuck in a case. Rather difficult to pull a case off the pin, when it's stuck tight.
But I've never had that problem with a press, which has far more leverage.
You can use a tiny drill bit as a gauge. Use it in brass that has flashholes that are of normal size, ensuring it's a close, slip fit.
Now, use this same bit to gently -- gentlyyyyyy -- ream the tight flashholes to size. It is crucial that you NOT increase the flash hole size drastically. It shouldn't create a hole any larger than normal.
Overly large flashholes will create problems.
But with the judicious use of a close-fitting drill bit, you can increase the flash hole size by a few thousandths.
Does Hornady deliberately make its flash holes smaller? I don't know. I've encountered this problem in all makes, through the years. The worst I've encountered was in the early 1970s, with .32 Winchester Special brass made by Remington. I had to put the primer punch in a vice, and pull the brass off with pliers. That's a tight flash hole!
Haven't encountered anything that bad since.
