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Are CCI pistol primers typically harder to seat?

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August 24, 2025, 10:06 PM
Riley
Are CCI pistol primers typically harder to seat?
I seem to have issues fully seating CCI Large pistol primers in .45 ACP loads on a Dillon XL 650. They’re flush but just. No issues firing them.

Maybe I’m used to the ease on the Dillon RL 1100 that primes on the downstroke.

I don’t recall seating depth issues in 9 or 40 on the 650 using Winchester or Ginex primers.




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August 25, 2025, 08:42 AM
odin
I've been reloading on a Dillon 550B for 20+ years. I prefer CCI primers over all else. In loading .45ACP, I've noticed a trend in the last 5 or so years of using small pistol primers instead of large. Blazer brass is usually the culprit. Now, I sort my .45 brass according to primer size; that way, I don't get messed up with the progressive. Perhaps that's what's happening to you.....

Also, some manufacturers will put a "crimp" in the primer pocket. I usually clean the pockets on my cases after sizing/depriming before I continue. It defeats the purpose of having a progressive press somewhat, but I can still crank out 250->300 rounds per hour!

I also hand-prime the cases......
August 25, 2025, 02:20 PM
sourdough44
I had some primers not long ago that were near impossible to seat, new brass. I think they were CCI, small pistol, in the 32 H&R mag, or 327 Federal. I tried the Winchester primers I had, they slid right in.

I would never of thought that properly ‘spec’ed’, USA made primers would vary enough to matter. I don’t remember if I figured it out, or someone mentioned it.

Regardless, I’m a believer in trying other types if called for. My brass was new, didn’t spend much time uniforming the primer pocket.

I’m pretty sure it was CCI that was tight. I never did try to measure variances.
August 25, 2025, 10:16 PM
Riley
Thanks.

All sorted large primer brass and no crimped pockets. Decapper separately and then tumbled in corn cob. No debris in the pocket.




Do not send me to a heaven where there are no dogs.
Step Up or Stand Aside: Support the Troops !
Expectations are premeditated disappointments.
October 31, 2025, 11:30 AM
Riley
No discernible debris, but I tumbled for a fair bit of extra time and that helped.

Also, cleaned and tightened up the press where I could.

Still more effort than I prefer but much better.

Probably mostly spoiled by the RL1100 that primes on the down stroke so leverage is greater so less effort required.




Do not send me to a heaven where there are no dogs.
Step Up or Stand Aside: Support the Troops !
Expectations are premeditated disappointments.
November 16, 2025, 09:39 AM
Roofuss
I always clean my primer pockets after cleaning, and use a RCBS hand primer squeeze primer tool. Slow, yes, but works for me and I use CCI primers a lot.