The Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer - Small (Model #041203) is a dedicated hand-loading tool designed to remove factory military crimps and stakes from once-fired cartridge brass. Engineered specifically for small primer pockets, the hardened steel cutter head removes the crimped edge at the mouth of the pocket to create an entry bevel. This clean bevel allows fresh small rifle and small pistol primers to seat smoothly, squarely, and flush without binding, crushing, or risking premature detonation during the reloading process.

Key Features

• Dedicated Small-Pocket Profile: Specifically dimensioned to match small primer pocket internal diameters, ensuring clean crimp removal without over-reaming or compromising the pocket walls.
• Standard 8-32 Threading: Built with standard 8-32 male threads, allowing the reamer head to be detached from its handle and mounted directly to powered case preparation centres or rotary tool adapters for high-volume brass processing.
• Included Accessory Handle: Comes equipped with a knurled universal handle for manual, unpowered operation during portable or low-volume bench-top prep sessions.
• Mechanical Crimp Removal: Functions as a precision crimp-cutting reamer to eliminate military crimps entirely, distinct from a pocket uniformer which cuts the base floor.

Specifications

• Primer Pocket Size: Small primer (~0.175 in / 4.45 mm diameter)
• Thread Pitch: Standard 8-32 male threading
• Operation Type: Manual hand tool (motorisable via 8-32 compatible case prep centres)
• Head Material: Hardened steel
• Handle Type: Knurled universal accessory handle

Who is the Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer - Small for?

• Surplus Military Rifle Brass Reloaders — Cuts away the perimeter stake or ring crimp on once-fired surplus .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO cases, ensuring replacement primers seat cleanly into their ~0.175 in (4.45 mm) diameter pockets.
• High-Volume Pistol Handloaders — Removes stubborn primer crimps from military-spec handgun brass such as 9mm NATO, utilising standard 8-32 male threads that screw into powered prep centres to eliminate hand fatigue when chamfering small 4.45 mm primer pockets in bulk.

Less suitable for: Cartridge brass utilising large primer pockets measuring ~0.210 in (such as .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield), which requires a dedicated large primer pocket reamer tool.