Slipping it in - A video

There is something deeply enjoyable at that moment it slips all the way in. As I apply just a little more pressure to counteract the slight resistance that's always there I get a sense of deep satisfaction knowing it's inserted just perfectly. I always check though, just to make sure it's in properly, not to far in, just exactly right.

- G-dog -

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I'll be heading home from a business trip in a little while and spent some time in my hotel tonight compiling a list of what I want to do over the few days I'll have off prior to returning to work in my home State. Cuddling with Cleo is high up on the list - I love my little cat - and I'll spend quite a while with her. There's chores around the house, vegetable garden, vehicle washing and general tidying up after my absence and, of course, hiking.

Another job I need to do is reloading some ammunition as I've been rather naughty and neglected it for a little while. In my defence, I've not neglected it for long, just long enough to have several long hours ahead of me replenishing calibres I've allowed to deplete to unacceptable levels.

There's many steps to reloading ammunition and each is critical to the overall result. Sure, if one is reloading basic ammunition for general hunting purposes one doesn't need to be quite as precise, but I make precision rifle ammunition for long range purposes so I take a lot of care, and time.

One element is inserting the primer into the case (cartridge). Above you can see pictures of what primers generally look like, the second is my finger holding one up for size reference.

The primer, is a tiny device which holds a small explosive charge. It's inserted into the base of the case, the primer pocket, and when it is struck by the firing pin the ignition explodes through the flash hole and into the main chamber of the cartridge which holds the gun powder. That explodes and the resulting expansion of gasses pushes the projectile along the rifled barrel and out the muzzle to fly down range. It's all very simple.

With my long range ammunition I hand prime using a priming tool by Sinclair International. It's a precision tool that provides the user a great deal of feel when inserting the primer.

It's important not to go too far in as that could cause issues such as light primer-strikes which is when the firing pin doesn't strike the base of the primer with enough force to ignite the charge.

Conversely, if the primer protrudes from the base it could slam-fire, meaning go off during the closing of the bolt, ahead of the trigger-pull. This is not a good situation to be in as accidental discharges could be dangerous, and even fatal. The base of the primer needs to be flush, or very marginally deeper than the base of the cartridge. I prefer flush which means the primer is very slightly closer to the bolt face and firing pin of the rifle.

The video below shows me priming a case using my Sinclair tool. These are .308 cartridges. You'll see the primers in the lid of the ammunition box and the way it sits in the tool.

The primer is placed into the tool with the base of the primer facing down meaning the charge, that red stuff, goes into the base of the cartridge the right way. I place the cartridge (case) into the tool which has a shell holder in it to suit the calibre of the cartridge being primed, and you'll note a little twist of the knurled ring; that locks it into place in a set position ready to accept the primer.

From there I press the lever which pushes the primer up and into the primer pocket and I use feel to make sure it's inserted correctly.

I don't do it in this video, but usually I run my thumb over the base of every cartridge to feel that the primer is not protruding, or in too deeply. Both of these conditions happen from time to time and I either press a little harder to seat it properly, or push it out from inside the cartridge and start again. Pushing the live (unfired) primer out is done with a different tool, and vary carefully of course lest it go off.

So, that's it folks...I have about a thousand of these to do, cases that the prior prep-work has already been done, and will then get on with the task of weighing a powder charge for each cartridge, pouring it in and seating the projectile to complete the ammunition. I have a video of that also...maybe a post for another time.