Need to loosen up a primer pocket.

[ratsnakeboogy]

I know most say don't do it, but I'm building an Encore conversion for my dad and he will forget to bring a primer removal tool with him to the woods. I have 3 of these conversions now and the one I bought used you can remove the spent primer by hand. The other two have to be removed with the tool. I do not see a ton of blow-by from the one I assume has been worked on.

My question is how to do it, and what to do it with without going to far. I doubt he will shoot it more than 10 times a year after we get it zeroed. Any help?

Thanks,

Don

[Deleted]

I use the back end of a c drill but with lapping compound on it. Leaves a decently smooth, uniform surface in for the primer to slide into as well.

[ratsnakeboogy]

Mar 27, 2015 8:53:03 GMT -5 @myers129 said:

I use the back end of a c drill but with lapping compound on it. Leaves a decently smooth, uniform surface in for the primer to slide into as well.

By hand or chucked up?

[fishhawk]

Spin it with a drill.

[ratsnakeboogy]

Thanks guys!

[kbrezlin]

I'v used a inch wide strip of emory cloth rolled up into a cylinder, stick it into the pocket and turn it to open one up a small amount. Then I did the same thing with 800 grit paper to polish the pocket. Didn't take long.

[12ptdroptine]

Rat snake check your pms

[epanzella]

The Encore has a good shoulder in the plug to headspace against. You can open up the pocket wit a C drill and then shim the breech block to drive the primer against the shoulder sealing it up tight yet it will still come right out with your fingers. You can use your own shim stock or get a kit to do this from a guy named Mike Bellm. (not sure about the spelling). I did my 209x50 Encore with his kit. The groups shrunk, the primers sealed 100%, and they came right out with my fingers. Good luck.
Ed P

[ratsnakeboogy]

Mar 27, 2015 19:10:02 GMT -5 epanzella said:

The Encore has a good shoulder in the plug to headspace against. You can open up the pocket wit a C drill and then shim the breech block to drive the primer against the shoulder sealing it up tight yet it will still come right out with your fingers. You can use your own shim stock or get a kit to do this from a guy named Mike Bellm. (not sure about the spelling). I did my 209x50 Encore with his kit. The groups shrunk, the primers sealed 100%, and they came right out with my fingers. Good luck.
Ed P

I appreciate it Ed. I do need to clarify that this is a 45-70 conversion with a Savage plug.

[epanzella]

Mar 27, 2015 20:01:22 GMT -5 ratsnakeboogy said:

Mar 27, 2015 19:10:02 GMT -5 epanzella said:

The Encore has a good shoulder in the plug to headspace against. You can open up the pocket wit a C drill and then shim the breech block to drive the primer against the shoulder sealing it up tight yet it will still come right out with your fingers. You can use your own shim stock or get a kit to do this from a guy named Mike Bellm. (not sure about the spelling). I did my 209x50 Encore with his kit. The groups shrunk, the primers sealed 100%, and they came right out with my fingers. Good luck.
Ed P

I appreciate it Ed. I do need to clarify that this is a 45-70 conversion with a Savage plug.

A Savage plug is a horse of a different color. The Savage plugs don't have a firm shoulder to headspace off of. It's more like a taper. It seems you'll have to strike a balance between sealing of the primer and leaving it loose enough to come out with your fingers. I never had a savage plug in a break open action so I don't know if it's easy or even possible. I do have a Savage plug in my 45 cal smokeless bolt action and the only way I could avoid sticky primers was to bore out the 209 pocket and press in a bushing to provide a solid shoulder to headspace on. If you have a lathe you can do it yourself or there is someone on this board who can do it for you. (don't remember who)
Ed P