Possible loose primers

[BrianT]

When priming, and you feel a primer that possibly is seating more loosely, what does everyone one do to feel safe shooting that round?
I have always just smacked the base of the case on the bench a few times, and if the primer doesn't move, I have shot it.
Now, I think I am seeing some primers that seat too loose, affecting the velocity.
I've been testing a lot of 300BO Subsonics, and get an occasional low velocity round, and am starting to believe some of this is due to occasional loose primer pockets, (I marked some loose cases, and they seem to be the lower velocity numbers).
Any suggestions on a better way to tell if a pocket is too loose?
Thanks
Brian

[Fyodor]

If you shoot pistol caliber or repeating rifles, I wouldn't be too concerned. The only problem I see is with automatic rifles, that usually strip the round quite violently from the magazin. In that case, the primer could get dislodged.

When I experienced the first, let's call them "easy to seat" primers in my .45 ACP, I was very careful to use these rounds in training only. I never experienced any issues. Even did tests with primers so loose I cound seat them by the push of my thumb alone. No issues. At least with .45 Auto.

[Bill Moore]

I've seen folks rifles, (AR type), lock up while shooting Service Rifle matches, inspection found a primer in the action! I haven't seen a Garrand lock up.

[BrianT]

And all of the above is why I'm trying to find a better way of telling if they are too loose, other than just wacking them on the bench.
Thanks for both of your replies!

[RBHarter]

This is as complicated or simple as you want to make it .

If the pockets are really all but seat the primer with thumb pressure they're probably done .
The one more time will go fine with a little nail polish . The primer will fill the pockets and hold .

You can make an anvil and ball tool and swage the pockets back down then swage back to correct dia .

[GasGuzzler]

Falling out and misfires are too completely different subjects.

[horseman]

Was priming some 223 brass a couple days ago on a RCBS bench prime. Ran into 3 or 4 (would have to go look at the pile) that I couldn't tell if a primer had even gone into the case without looking, primers went in that easy. I just set them aside for now. Will fire those independently just to measure the fired brass and then probably toss them. I have a lot of brass so no big deal.

[Royce]

I think, if you load too light a powder charge, the primer will try to back out. Try a little more powder charge, and maybe a firmer crimp.

[larryw]

When you start getting carbon/soot around the spent primer & face of the case head, scrap bucket time.
Hopefully, scraped well before that monster rears it's ugly head...

[MoMan]

I mark the round(s), fire 'em, then ditch that brass!!