WLR primers and 308

[nfoley]

Anyone have problems with the winchester WLR primers in 308?
Using win brass, lee auto primer, in a POF 308 and have had the gun go 'click' on about 10-15% of the loaded rounds. Anything I can do to get the firing pin to strike harder, or should I just go with another primer? I have 1000 primers so hope there is an easier fix. BTW no problems like this with factory ammo.

 

[usmcMT]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Never. Even with current lots bought less than a week ago. Check your hammer spring. Could be weak. Pics of the primer of the struck and unfired round would be of help.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Are the primers fully seated? Only guess I have that would be reload only.

 

[gpz750]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Never had any issues with wlr primers, but have had some with small pistol in my sig.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: WLR primers and 308

no issue for me on WLR.
Have you tried any other primers/ammo in the gun?

 

[lovetsx]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Have you tried to fire them after they go "click"? WLP is softer than some so I don't think switching primmer will help. I have never had a problem with WLP. It's seating problem, pocket depth or firing pin

 

[pjparker]

Re: WLR primers and 308

A few things come to mind.

Are you feeling the primers bottom out when you seat them ? If not, your firing pin has to use some of it's energy to finish seating the primer before it can try to do it's job.
Plays hell with accuracy, too.

When was the last time you took your bolt apart? Built-up powder/primer residue as well as age hardened or inappropriate grease on the interior of the bolt can slow the fall of the firing pin enough to cause failure-to-fire.

I always install heavier rate firing springs on my Rem 700's. It is just real cheap insurance. Combined with lightened firing pins, the extra benefit is a shorter lock time.

Have you only tried WLR primers? I suppose you may have gotten a bad batch but I really feel that it would be unlikely. Try another brand if you haven't, just as a control, and to ease your mind, but clean your bolt and check your seating technique first.

Paul

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Always thought primer hardness ran:
CCI (hardest)
Winchester
Federal

I would recheck the seating on them. Sounds like something amiss there.
Good luck!

 

[nfoley]

Re: WLR primers and 308

With regards to seating, does it sound like they are not seated far enough in the pocket? That might be the problem. I have an old Lee autoprimer tool and did notice some difficulty with amount of pressure seating them. thanks for all your help!

 

[nfoley]

Re: WLR primers and 308

Oh, and they (misfired rounds) all went off the second time I tried shooting them. And EVERY one of the rounds was a bigtime flier - this gun shoots 3/4 MOA all day and the bad rounds would open the groups to 3-4" at 200 yards. Maybe time for a new priming tool?

 

[longshooter70]

Re: WLR primers and 308

I had a very similar problem with my Lee hand primer. I used it for almost 12 years and countless rounds primed. One day I kept having misfires and noticed the primers weren't seated deep enough. I futzed with it trying to get it work but ended up buying a new priming tool. No problems since. Good luck.

 

[notquiteright]

Re: WLR primers and 308

The new Lee primer gives you a much better push for the amount of lever travel. I really like the upgrade.

 

[BCP]

Re: WLR primers and 308

I've never had a problem with any primers in any AR. If they're flying way off course it could be seating issues.