6 PPC flash hole size?

B

bluechip

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I recently bought my first 6 PPC and with it I got 50 220 Russian fire formed cases. I checked the flash hole dia. with a set of pin gages. I have both sets, metric and american, so it's easy to work in small increments. There was a significant size difference between them, with .164 being the smallest and .1695 being the largest. I don't think the smaller holes were due to build-up. I'm thinking about running a .1695 reamer through all of them get the same size. Any thoughts on this one? If possible, does anyone know what size the flash hole should be if there was a best choice?
 
Just a dumb question, but are you sure those flash holes were 0.164" to 0.1695"? The reason I ask is that standard US flash holes are ~0.080" and the cases take SR primers which are 0.17"± OD.

Lapua flash holes are usually around 0.06" out of the box.
 
Bluechip

Through the years, the size seems to change. The size is actually Metric, somewhere in the neighborhood of .059 inch. We just call it a "1/16" flash hole.

I have bought case lots that a 1/16 drill removed a lot of metal, (relative speaking), and other lots that the 1/16 drill barely scratched them.

I just run a 1/16 drill through all of them, and de-burr the inside. The reason I do not use a "unifyer" is because I do not want to make the primer pockets any deeper than they come from Lapua........jackie
 
jackie,
just out of curiosity, how come you dont want the pockets any deeper? I ask this because i thought it was the "norm" to uniform the pockets with one of those over priced tools? The tool i have is one i bought from sinclair and it isnt adjustable. Sometimes when i use this tool it doesnt clean them up completely. I thought about throwing the dam thing in the trash. Can you please explain your thoughts to me. I think these kinds of discussions are interesting. Thanks sir! Lee
 
Skeet

I have actually measured the depth of Lapua Cases, and they are all extremely close. So close that many so called "uniformers" probably do more harm than good. Sort of like some of the necks shooters turn.

Most BR Rifles have about .050 to .055 firing pin protrusion. The primers, when seated in a typical 220 Russia, will always be at least .005 past flush. Why make it any deeper?

I am sure that most shooters "uniform" the primer pockets. I just see it as a waste of time. Especially if you accomplish nothing more than making the pocket deeper........jackie
 
Lee.
I agree with Jackie.
The Sinclair tool for 6PPC, usually works every other time for me.
I still use it to get the crud out.
I have the flash hole reamer. Stopped using it.
But, if you want everything to be the same........
I guess, you should use both.

But, then I have seen an HOF shooter, clean every other target......:eek:
 
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For years the Lapua 220 Russian cases had 1.5mm flash holes. 1.5mm is 0.060". Most of the small US made decapping pins are 1/16". 1/16" is 0.0625"-- Ouch!!

Just a few years ago, Lapua, at some US shooters request changed their flash hole size to about 0.064".
 
I am grateful for you fellas, Don't ever think i am not!!!!

I wanted to stop using this silly little tool as i also felt it was cutting to deep. I just thought that was the thing you did with the ppc. I also had some of my brass that it would leave a little uncut on the edge of the pocket sometimes it would only cut the center of the pocket. I just didnt think it was working all that well really. Either that or i wasnt working all that properly!! Probably the later!! LOL!! Anyway i am glad for you folks here. I learn a little something positive every time i listen to you fine folks! Thanks Lee
 
bc ...

bluechip said:
I recently bought my first 6 PPC and with it I got 50 220 Russian fire formed cases. I checked the flash hole dia. with a set of pin gages. I have both sets, metric and american, so it's easy to work in small increments. There was a significant size difference between them, with .164 being the smallest and .1695 being the largest. I don't think the smaller holes were due to build-up. I'm thinking about running a .1695 reamer through all of them get the same size. Any thoughts on this one? If possible, does anyone know what size the flash hole should be if there was a best choice?
Click to expand...

The normal size of the flash hole on the Lapua 220 Russian case is .059055" or .060" when it comes out of the box. Sinclair makes a flash hole reamer: http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/5559/Flash-Hole-Deburring-Tools that opens it to .0625". Are you sure about those numbers? If that's what you got, they're WAY OFF! I'd chuck'em and start over with new brass. :)
 
I also know to well what Jackie means by " some of the necks shooters turn" I recently traded about 40 pieces of Norma 243 new brass for 40 once fired formed ppc brass. I should have known better, but i like to think all shooters are good honest folks. Unfortunately that wasnt the case with this guy. The cases were so bad they could have been dangerous. I am lucky that i have a friend that is a seasoned ppc shooter, and he caught this for me. If he had not my lack of experience would have probably shot them, and then who knows. Needless to say i wont just trust anyone with my future ppc brass again!! Lee
 
Test

abintx said:
The normal size of the flash hole on the Lapua 220 Russian case is .059055" or .060" when it comes out of the box. Sinclair makes a flash hole reamer: http://www.sinclairintl.com/product/5559/Flash-Hole-Deburring-Tools that opens it to .0625". Are you sure about those numbers? If that's what you got, they're WAY OFF! I'd chuck'em and start over with new brass. :)
Click to expand...


Art, yes, I'm sure about the numbers. Before I start with all new cases, I'll sort out the five largest flash holes and the five smallest and shoot them and see the results. If there is any diff, they're trashed.
 
Blue I dont understand

If you did this for one box and there was a difference there should be a diff on any box that has a variation like that.... but at any rate Ill give you my address and you can send me all your new "trashed" brass and I will pay shipping and handling fee too.:D
 
Lapua cases have drilled flash holes but there can still be burrs on them. The flash hole uniformer tool gets rid of any burrs and also puts a nice little bevel on the inside too. And it will make all the diameters uniform as they are not from the factory! I consider flash hole reaming time well spent.

As to the pocket uniformer made by Sinclair, mine still won't do anything more than re-square the shape around the edges and that is after 70-some firings on my current batch of brass. We can thank Lapua for super tough brass.

Mostly, my pocket uniformer just gets the crud out of the pocket which I also think is a critical thing. After several firings, enough crud gets built up that it starts to inhibit primer seating. Eventually, it will not allow the primer to seat flush or below flush and before you know it, the primer makes the round hard to chamber. That can be very distracting when you've got four in a bughole and that last round closes tightly and makes you wonder if you should put it on record or blow it off on the sighter.;)
 
If you use the specific pocket uniformer that Sinclair makes for the 6PPC and NOT the small rifle tool, which is very similar, you'll find that it squares the recess that holds the primer. When the brass is manufactured, the area where the sidewall meets the bottom of the pocket is rounded, not square. Ergo, you use the tool to square off this anomoly, nothing else. This in turn ensures that all of your primers are seated identically. There are those who believe that uniformity is synonymous with consistent accuracy. If yoiu take a new case, use the proper tool and then inspect the pocket, you'll notice that the only area affected is where the sidewall meets the base of the hole. It looks like a shiny ring.
 
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