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Posted: 8/8/2012 5:15:49 PM EDT
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I just recently picked up an RCBS reloading kit that came with a ram-prime. There are also two seating “plungers” – on flat and one concave (for domed primers).
I checked my CCI #35 primers and they have a domed top, but it’s clearly visible that the anvil is recessed into the primer cup – which clearly shows that the primer needs to be seated firmly enough to bring the anvil into contact with the shell’s bottom of the primer hole. So the question is: Do I need to use the flat plunger or the concave plunger in order to properly seat the CCI primers? Thanks! |
| A call to CCI about which primer punch to use and the tech told me to use the flat punch and slightly flatten the dome. I highly recommend a primer pocket uniformer to uniform the depths of the primer pocket. I much prefer the old style "blue box" CCI 50 primers with a flat primer rather than a domed one. Just don't use too much pressure trying to get them to seat flush or below and crush them. |
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Thanks again for the info, guys. Even though I have the ram-prime that came with my RCBS kit, I’m looking at just buying the Lee ram-prime. That way I won’t have to fiddle with using the 1 ½ to 7/8ths bushing and move everything around – so I was hoping that the flat plunger was good-to-go.
Also, I purchased a primer pocket uniformer as well as a flash hole uniformer from K&M. I really like their design as both tools have a stem that fits my micro cordless lithium ion drills that I normally use for case trimming. The instructions say that the pocket uniformer is also intended for use as a primer pocket cleaner as well. 
At $37 it’s less expensive and also easier to use than the CH4D unit I had been looking at. Anyways, I reload for several other calibers - so I understand what is meant by using "feel" to properly ram-prime to arm the anvil. |
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Quoted:
You can turn the Lee priming set up into a very repeatable unit with the addition of shaft collars to act as a positive depth stop. I covered this in another post a while back. I'd neglected to mention that I'd caught that and thought it was a great idea. Harbor Freight sells "drill stops" that would probably work well for that. At the moment, I'm trying to figure out various methods to adapt the RCBS ram-prime for use on Lee's open-front press. The lower portion of the RCBS ram-prime plunger is fully adjustable for length and has a built-in lock ring. Plus - I already have it - even though the Lee unit is not terribly expensive. The challenge is adapting the lower priming plunger from the RCBS primer to fit on the Lee open-front press. I think I could just take one of the shell-holder that I don't use and drill and tap it for the RCBS plunger to thread into.. Since I'll be using the K&M primer pocket uniformer, I should be able to exploit the RCBS's adjustable length priming plunger (much like you've done) to set the length for a consistent seating depth. Looking at my RCBS primers - they have the anvil clearly recessed into the cup, so I know that there is going to be a certain amount of "crush" to get them seated perfectly for positive ignition. *************************** I must say that even though I've been reloading since 1981, the .50 BMG is an animal all of its own... It's just like being a beginner all over again. 
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