This is the second of a five part series on tolerance in reloading.

1. Tolerance in Reloading (Introduction),
2. Tolerance in Powder Throw,
3. Tolerance in COL and Crimp,
4. Tolerance in Bullet Weight, and
5. Tolerance in Brass.

Introduction

What’s in a Word: Accuracy, Precision, Repeatbility, and Tolerance

We expect that if our scale says a bullet weighs 202.4 grains then that’s it.

Ok, Ok, it’s a boring subject, I know. But it’s gotta be done so let’s get this out’a the way.

Any split brass in that pile you are about to reload?

The sorting of my large bucket of all 45 ACP brass according to headstamp is done.

Strike #1

After its initial firing (as factory-loaded hardball), 100% of the Aguila brass would not pass through the Martindale gauge. This suggests it has been stretched beyond its ability to recover possibly because of the thinness of the brass or its composition among other reasons.

(Pictured: Jim Henderson and myself)

READ THIS FIRST

The cause of the high primers is apparently not dirty primer pockets which is what this article is about. Although they may be a contributing factor, after cleaning the primer pockets and testing the resulting ammunition, things got worse, not better.

The newest addition is that air conditioner in the upper-left corner. With daily temperatures already over 100 in late May, it’s what you may acknowledge as a necessity here in Phoenix Arizona.