So I started using my press today and was going very slow.  I had my case feeder running and it seemed like every 3rd round, the primer wouldn't load properly.  So, I checked every bullet before I put in the bullet.  I load 100 rounds and thought it was very strange.  Upon further inspection, all of the brass I had problems with were Federal .45 Auto brass.  Looking at it, the primer pocket was slightly smaller.

In the past, I would load all 45's with Large pistol Primers.  These primers looked like they use Small pistol primers.  Is this normal?  I'm a little pissed as I have 350 pieces of brass like that which I can't use.  Luckily I have about 1500 pieces of other brass that are "normal".

If you look at the picture, the casing on the right is just slightly smaller than the one on the left.   

I did separate it out.  Thought about loading the small primers, but that means changing the primer wheel to the small size.  I just got the press last week and haven't gotten to all of the details of swapping things out.   I'm thinking about seeing if I can find someone to trade locally.  I hate change.  It reminds me too much of Obama.

While you're sorting your .45 brass, separate out any Winchester Winclean brass too. Their lead free primers require a bigger flash hole, which won't jam up your press but might cause pressure issues with loads worked up with brass with normal sized holes and will probably open up the SD on your velocities too.

You wouldn't by chance have a picture of this brass?  I sorted once.  I'll have to go through again but not sure what to look for.

You wouldn't by chance have a picture of this brass?  I sorted once.  I'll have to go through again but not sure what to look for.

Headstamp is apparently the same as normal Winchester brass:


To sort it would require checking the inside with a flashlight or depriming separately from the rest of your loading process.



I've seen it claimed that the larger flash hole makes no difference, but I remain skeptical.

Fun, isn't it Steve?   I've had trouble with 38 Special S&B being measurably super tight.  Gave it all away.  My rule is, if the standard components listed in the books don't fit, it's out of here.

Oh, piffle!

I have probably 1500 to 2000 .45 ACP already primed, and now I see that picture from Jesse.

Flashlight time I guess.

At least I don't have to worry about the small primer issue on those.

Anyone want to buy some small primer .45 ACP Brass? 
As far as the hole size in the picture, I'm not sure if that really makes a difference.  Besides measuring velocity, is there any other way to see if there is a difference?  I guess it's time I start hitting google again.

As far as the hole size in the picture, I'm not sure if that really makes a difference.

  Shouldn't really be much difference, somewhere around 20-30 fps one way or the other is all.  Enough that it's to be "match grade" ammo, you'll notice it, but for IDPA or UDPL use it should be fine either way, as long as you're not at the extreme top end of the loading data.

Besides measuring velocity, is there any other way to see if there is a difference?

Other than very expensive pressure testing equipment, not that I'm aware of.

Well, I sold the brass locally for $10.  I know it was a firesale price, but it's not doing me any good.  The guy I'm selling it told me that right now it's almost 50/50 on pocket size.  Said he bought 7000 cases from a local firing range and 3000 of them had the smaller primer pocket.

The last time I bought Federal .45 ACP the Champion line had the small primers, but everything else had large.  That may have changed.