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Help identify this primer problem

Ultraman550

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 8, 2011
717
2
49
Utah
Doing load development. All cases were trimmed to the same length, primer pockets were swaged with a Dillon 600, primers were seated on the Hornady single stage. I had 20 rounds, all the same but there were 4 in a row that did not properly strike. The primer didn't ignite, Stiller action is new, barrel has 60 rounds through it so I can't imagine its the firing pin. They are CCI LRP 200. Out f 60 primers these were the only 4 that didnt go bang and I find it weird it was one after the other. Primer/case on the left did not ignite, primer in the middle is obviously one of the primers that didnt ignite and the primer/case on the right is one that did ignite. Any ideas fellers?
 

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Just saw another thread in which a couple other people were reporting QC issues with CCI primers as well. If they were fully seated, this may be the issue.
 
What is the lot#?I had the same problem last saturday with the same primers.First time I ever used CCI.Also experienced that they were different sizes which made some seat loose.Dealing with CCI now,they want measurements on my primer pockets.Never had any misfires but usually use FED primers.I would definitely let them know about it.
 
I have not used Federal but I have a shit ton of Tula 7.62 which are supposed to be very good. I have no idea where to find the lot number. Theres a "0011" on the lower right corner? I'll contact them Monday I guess. The first 100 count tray in a box of 1000 this happened to so I guess the odds should be in my favor of them replacing them or offering a solution. Thanks for the help guys.
 
Pull out a sleeve of 100 and look,it is stamped in the cardboard its hard to see but it's there and they will want to know what the lot# is.
 
A friend of mine recently had a bunch of CCI primers cause hang fires in his Garand . You could hear the hammer strike and then it would go off.
 
Might not be a primer issue. Possible other causes:

-Primer not initially fully seated.
-Excessive Headspace on those cases.
-Slightly under spec FP protrusion.
-FP drag or weak spring.
 
I hope it's not a firing pin issue. I shot 20 PPU 175 Match and 20 FGMM 175 and didn't have a problem with any of that factory ammo so hopefully its just a primer issue. SW ammo also shot without a hiccup. I'll research how to check the firing pin though. I just loaded 60 rounds with the Tula 7.62 primers and see how they work.
 
I had a problem with CCI primers in one of my 308, switched to federals and never had a problem. Supposedly they have a thicker anvil.
 
I had this exact same issue a couple weeks ago with only one sleeve of CHI primers. I had hang fires (which were a trip!) And about 6 or so that didnt fire. I'm new to reloading and am no expert but I attributed mine to damp cases. I was in a hurry with that batch and didn't get my cases completely dry after ultrasonic cleaning them. That is the only sleeve of primers that I had any trouble with. I buy them by the thousands.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
Since it was one after another then self corrected...clean inside of bolt/firing pin shoulder area. I've see a grain or two of unburnt powder get inside the bolt and cause light strikes.
 
If I had a new Stiller action, I would really hope that a grain of unburned powder wouldn't stop my rifle...

Probably just some bad primers, which is very unusual for CCI, but I've been reading about difficulties with CCI primers a lot lately.
 
I almost never use CCI primers. But, there are many things that can cause a dud. I have to wonder if there is really an epidemic of bad primers, or just mass hysteria. Has any manufacturer admitted to bad primers? The photo looks like contamination, to me? BB
 
The photo looks like contamination, to me? BB

With those Surgeon like clean hands that any hand model would be proud of ? Not to mention that amazing Delta? Contamination doesn't seem to be in this mans vocabulary LMAO

What do the Anvils look like ?
 
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Well I just tested another 60 rounds and same thing. This time there were also Tula 7.62 primers. Some would go bang and then some wouldn't. The ones that didn't ignite, well about 90% of them fired when I reloaded the round into the chamber for the second time. It's definitely the gun and my reloading imperfections. You guys think I should replace the spring? And sorry for the confusion, the action I bought off a member here. Thing is all factor ammo never have a problem, SW ammo no problem. I'm not doing anything to the primer pockets but swaging them on a Dillon 600 and I'm trimming all brass on a Wilson case trimmer with micrometer to 2.005.
 
Check the headspace of those failed to fire rounds, compared to your unsized fired brass. If there is more than 0.005" of difference that can be your problem.
 
Head space could be the problem, however usually it is a dirty bolt or weak spring within the bolt.
 
Ok, so after some back and forth thinking.....

Long story short,

1. LC brass that is MG fired. I FL sized through my Redding "S" match die to where the die body was touching the shell holder with zero clearance. Did this because the brass was just insanely belled out at the web area and wouldn't fit in my chamber.
2. LC brass from my fired chamber is 1.569 (shoulder to base) done in a Sinclair bump gauge.
3. LC brass that is resized is 1.564 (shoulder to base) done in a Sinclair bump gauge.
4. I've had problems with the firing pin not striking the primer hard enough to ignite on my reloads. I've had zero problems with any type of factory ammo and SW ammo as well. I only have 30 out of 500 which I have FL sized so I'm not too worried about losing some brass.

I know you're only supposed to bump the shoulder .002 so could that extra .003 of space be a cause for my reload problems? Is the case too short thus not pushing it far enough back in the chamber for the firing pin to fully contact it so in reloading lingo.....headspace issue like some of you boys already mentioned?

My question is if I was to load the bullet long measuring from the bullet ogive to case base would this help the firing pin make better contact?

Thank you all for your help. For all you do, this Buds for you.