Yesterday when I asked about why the primers were backing out of these empty cases, a lot of people told me something I really should have already known or figured out for myself.
But the funny thing about it – since Joel being clueless isn’t really uncommon enough to be all that funny – is that a long time ago I took precautions against it happening and didn’t even know that was what I was doing.
I used to compete with a .45, and part of my practice routine used wax bullets. And the fellow who showed me the trick of that said I needed to do two things: Chamfer the hell out of the mouth of some old cases till they had a sharp edge, and drill out the flash holes. You sharpen the edge so it’s easier to push the case into the cake of wax. And all this time I thought you drilled out the flash hole so the bullet would go faster and straighter. I don’t recall that I ever did ask why, I just did it.
So this week I learned something new that I should have known for over 35 years. :}
I’m confused. Wouldn’t drilling out the flash hole make the primer fit even more loosely? It’s entirely possible I’m even more confused than usual…
No, you don’t drill out the primer pocket. You drill out the tiny hole between it and the inside of the case.
Huh. My knowlege of cartridge anatomy is even more lacking than I thought. Thanks for the clarification, Joel.
OT: one month recovery done and I have increasing vision (woo-hoo!). Another month to go and, assuming things go as hoped, I get tested for my new eyeglass prescription. Surfing the web is …a challenge. You may take it as a compliment that I loiter on your blog :-).
So basically, drilling out the hole allows the primer charge to empty quicker into case to push bullet AND at same time relieves the same pressure pushing primer out of case. Makes sense.