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Does size really matter? Flash hole that is...

3110 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Primersinmyshoe
Okay, it's a cold and snowy day in Iowa so I decided to prep some once fired 45ACP brass that I just purchased. I got it all cleaned and deprimed and started cleaning out the primer pocked on my Trim Mate.

Now I'm an old retired fart and I've reloaded tens of thousands of rounds and I've never seen this before. I came across two cases that had extremely large flash holes in them, at least twice the diameter of the normal flash hole. All other dimensions were standard, primer pocket, etc.

As I mentioned, this was supposed to be once fired ammo so I assume this is some type of factory load. What would the purpose of this abnormally large diameter flash hole be?
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Interesting question Trader. I have been wondering if a larger flash hole would be better or not. :confused: If it is, how much bigger should it be?
only useful if you are shooting highpowered rifles at extreme distances for accuracy. in a handgun no point
Thanks for the answer Bud. :smile: That's one less thing I have to worry about.:biggrin:
One fellow on another board said he drilled larger flash holes for use with wax bullets... I've never seen a wax bullet so I haven't a clue.

If you think of the purpose of the flash hole, the only thing a larger hole could do is ignite the powder a little faster - perhaps a good thing in cold weather?

I have decided to throw these in the scrap can, but as they say, inquiring minds want to know!
yes for wax bullets you can go larger for better working

to make a wax bullet you melt wax into a tin about 1/4 think or thinner then take a primed case and push it into the wax and twist pull it out .. and wax bullet
yes for wax bullets you can go larger for better working

to make a wax bullet you melt wax into a tin about 1/4 think or thinner then take a primed case and push it into the wax and twist pull it out .. and wax bullet
Dang, I thought I found a use for those old Preparation H Suppositories! :eek:

Actually I think I've got some red plastic cases and black plastic bullets that I bought about 20 years ago for that too, for a .38 Spl. In all my years I never actually heard of a wax bullet, or if I did I just don't remember.
Dang, I thought I found a use for those old Preparation H Suppositories! :eek:

Actually I think I've got some red plastic cases and black plastic bullets that I bought about 20 years ago for that too, for a .38 Spl. In all my years I never actually heard of a wax bullet, or if I did I just don't remember.
I GOTTA' try that wax bullet thing! :popcorn: :gun1:
How bout' it, poncaguy? Wanna' play cop's & robbers?????
A wheelie is the best for wax bullets
A wheelie is the best for wax bullets
Hmmm, maybe I'll try that sometime using my S&W 25... I wonder what the range would be - 5'?

I do remember using those plastic bullets with just a primer in them on my old 38 wheel gun and I recall that I actually had to use Magnum primers for it all to work correctly.
5 -10 foot i would bet
Well the police rubber bullets can leave a welt on you at that range for sure. When in the Corps I trained with the M-14 and we shot blanks and they left welts on us when hit during training.
The name of this thread got me at first I thought a women posted it LMAO
The name of this thread got me at first I thought a women posted it LMAO

It does seem like that doesn't it
The name of this thread got me at first I thought a women posted it LMAO
Hey, it got your attention! :rolleyes:
QCATRADER,

I accumulated quite a few of those big hole cases. All W-W. I asked the guys on the tech line at Sierra about them and they told me to throw them in the trash.

You may also come across some Win cases marked NT. Seperate these also, they will make you crazy. NT means non-toxic and they are made with small pistol primer pockets. I have found they shoot fine with small pistol primers, but setting up for a primer change is a pita. I will shoot them when I know I will not be able to pick up my brass. Then they can be somebody elses problem.
Yes sir, I threw them into my scrap pail. I haven't run into the small primer pocket on the 45ACP yet, but it's an interesting note. It just proves again that you have to keep paying attention.
I got some 40 cal rubber bullets. Regular flash hole seems to do the job for me.
I use the large flash hole cases right along with the regular ones. IMHO, the 45acp is of such low pressure that any small change in interior pressure doesn't make a significant change in accuracy.
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