Help With primers! Failure to fire.
- Thread starter slicknova
- Start date
I'm with Sully 99. When priming with a RCBS press I was warned about primers not being seated deep enough, this led to me really pushing on the press and at least 6 rounds that looked exactly like yours. I even had 3 mis-fires on a doe hunt!
What a disappointment. And yes I re-cocked the bolt and tried again which makes them look like your pic. I also switched to a Lee hand-priming tool and have not had a single problem since. Same primers from same box, not a single problem since. Priming with my buddy's lee press "gently" works too, but hand priming is the best and quite fast.
Wilbar
What a disappointment. And yes I re-cocked the bolt and tried again which makes them look like your pic. I also switched to a Lee hand-priming tool and have not had a single problem since. Same primers from same box, not a single problem since. Priming with my buddy's lee press "gently" works too, but hand priming is the best and quite fast.Wilbar
It does depend on the primer and the neck of the case somewhat.
I have had primers move the bullet out of the case, and I have had some that did not.
Most often the latter, though.
Eagleye.
I agree, I cant believe I missed out on it for so long, Such great advice and great people.
To try and hammer down the problem with these rounds of mine I figure first step is to see if it is case related or not. Re-priming should tell me this. If the same rounds fail again I think I can assume Its a head-space issue. If they go I know it was primer/priming related. I cant see me messing up the priming of 4 rounds in such close succession. Im not perfect, but I've done thousands of rounds with the hand priming tool I have, and have had 0 problems, with multiple kinds of primers. It is possible that these new primers (new for me) require a change in my priming procedure and give a different "feel" while hand priming. But to be honest I do not think that was the issue.
If any one has any other suggestions for trouble shooting that I have missed they would be good to know!
Thanks everyone for all the input! The wealth of collective knowledge here is mind blowing!
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've done that too, but I've also had 44Mag rounds not even break loose from the crimp.
I suggest you pull apart the rounds, put the case in your press, put your glasses gloves and muffs on, and deprime it. Take a look at the primer and see if it fired, or has an obvious defect. (I've never had a primer go off doing this, but it is possible)
Interesting, indeed. They are obviously Federal 215 or 215M primers.
I wonder if it is possible that they may have been contaminated somehow.
If a solvent, or oils get to the priming compound, it can render it inert.
I have used a lot of these particular primers without incident.
I trust you are not handling them with your fingers, right?
It is possibly a manufacturing issue, but that would be very unusual.
Let us know what you find out.
Regards, Eagleye.
I wonder if it is possible that they may have been contaminated somehow.
If a solvent, or oils get to the priming compound, it can render it inert.
I have used a lot of these particular primers without incident.
I trust you are not handling them with your fingers, right?
It is possibly a manufacturing issue, but that would be very unusual.
Let us know what you find out.
Regards, Eagleye.
You are correct Eagleye they are GM215M primers and also correct on the no touching, they go from the package to the flipper tray of the hand primer...
I just popped 2 of them on the garage floor via hammer. So apparently they are not completely inert. I'm not sure what else that proves tho as far as them being good or bad.....
I just popped 2 of them on the garage floor via hammer. So apparently they are not completely inert. I'm not sure what else that proves tho as far as them being good or bad.....
The Outsider
CGN Regular
Is this a rifle and a round that is new for you?
It could also be a weak firing pin spring or even a broken firing pin that doesn't look broken.
Sully
It could also be a weak firing pin spring or even a broken firing pin that doesn't look broken.
Sully
Yes they are both new to me, I took the failed rounds to the store where I bought the gun and was informed that the rifle was doing its job. Tonight when I get home I will check the rifle and its components out for damage. I assumed the rifle was not the culprit when 35 out of 39 rounds worker. I and I couldn't get the 4 to go no matter how many times I tried, it just spelled ammo to me.
Loading bullets over primers, is a good way to get a bullet jammed in the bore.
It really depends on the cartridge as well. I had it happen in an M1 Carbine. The bullet went about 2 inches into the bore and stuck there.
That was the last time I did that. Now, I just feed the case by hand with nothing but air in it. Not willing to risk it again.
The Outsider
CGN Regular
When my '70's BLR in 358 was misfiring as I mentioned in my earlier post,
The primer was dented to the same depth as the ones that fired.
But in my case when I Put them through the second time, they fired.
The primer was dented to the same depth as the ones that fired.
But in my case when I Put them through the second time, they fired.
07blackwater
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Port Coquitlam, BC
If you reload for another caliber try the primers out in that. It will tell you if it's a head space issue or not seating the primers deep enough.
Range Report.....
So I re-primed The 4 rounds that would not previously fire. They worked this time with no issues.
After I shot those 4 I continued to fire the rest of the ones I had previously loaded and had 1 fail to fire.
Can I rule out head space now?? I did not do anything to the 4 but re-prime them. So this leads me to believe this is in fact a primer/priming issue. as the brass did not change. How to narrow it down past that I do not know. I'm inclined to believe I have a bad batch of primers as rare as that might be. I have never had a issue like this before, and like I said before have hand primed thousands upon thousands of rounds. I primed in the same manner that has not failed me before.
Anyone with anything I might not have thought of??
So I re-primed The 4 rounds that would not previously fire. They worked this time with no issues.
After I shot those 4 I continued to fire the rest of the ones I had previously loaded and had 1 fail to fire.
Can I rule out head space now?? I did not do anything to the 4 but re-prime them. So this leads me to believe this is in fact a primer/priming issue. as the brass did not change. How to narrow it down past that I do not know. I'm inclined to believe I have a bad batch of primers as rare as that might be. I have never had a issue like this before, and like I said before have hand primed thousands upon thousands of rounds. I primed in the same manner that has not failed me before.
Anyone with anything I might not have thought of??
Why don't you just insert the primers in about 10 cases and fire them sans powder and bullets. I've fired several primer in my basement without any danger. This test should help without going to the range where the problem can be narrowed down.So I pulled the bullets, Every case had powder, Clean flash holes and anvils in the primers. Here Are some pictures of the primers.... I will re-prime and test.... updates will follow once I make it to the range...
"Track" has a definite point there. If it is simply go/nogo testing for the primers alone being ignited by the firing pin, basement testing would be fine.
Primers are a bit noisy for a close-packed urban environment, but other than that it's a fair idea. As always, safe backstop is a good idea.
Primers are a bit noisy for a close-packed urban environment, but other than that it's a fair idea. As always, safe backstop is a good idea.
07blackwater
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Port Coquitlam, BC
I don't know if I'd want to breathe that in a confined space. Make sure you have good ventilation..
