What would cause reloads to misfire? I went out to the range this morning trying out some handloads for the first time, and 6 of my 30 cartridges misfired (.300 Savage). Did I set the primers to deep with the RCBS handprimer? The firing pin left dent marks on the primers. And what is the best way to dismantle these cartridges? Thanks.
Reloads Misfiring?
- Thread starter Norm99
- Start date
What do the indentations on the misfired primers look like? If it appears normal, your primers are the problem. Get fresh primers and start over. If the indentations are shallow or absent, your rifle's firing pin is the problem, get it fixed. Also look at the shape of the indentation if there is one. Some primers are harder than others and need more force from the firing pin.
It never happenned to me ... yet, with my hunting rifles, not looking forward to that moment, especialy while hunting, let us know what you find as a "reason".
UUGHH, sorry, it did once
, with my BP, lol my fault, after 2 primers I decided to open and , oups, no powder 
.
Good luck
UUGHH, sorry, it did once
, with my BP, lol my fault, after 2 primers I decided to open and , oups, no powder .Good luck
SDC said:
X2
As there were so many misfires my guess would be that the primers were not seated firmly enough. I have also seen this with brass that has been fired several times without having the primer pockets cleaned.
.... CCI "Primers" are harder than others, and may require a heavier firing pin strike; any oil will "kill" the primers; primer pockets, and flash hole needed to be cleaned; if shooting in the cold, it's possible that the lubricant on the firing pin solidified and slowed the firing pin strike and thereby, reducing the force it hit with. The marks/indentations, on the "misfires" should give some idea of the cause. The cold makes everything freeze and lubricants solidify! I really found out personally, last winter ! Gave me a some idea of what the Russians and Germans went through at Stalingrad ! ( I only shot for a few hours at minus 23/24 Celsius and that was bad enough !) ... David K.
I used the rcbs hand priming tool to seat the primers, and they were all basically the same so I'm assuming that wasn't the problem. It wasn't that cold this morning, around 0 degrees, so I can't see that as an issue. And the indentations on the misfires look normal to me. So, I think the primers were either contaminated or faulty, probably the former. I'll start with new primers and try again. Although I did have good results with my min. load, the misfirings and hangfire were a bit disturbing. Not the start I was looking for.
Primers used were Winchester Large Rifle.
Primers used were Winchester Large Rifle.
Reloading can be, at times, frustrating. Keep reading and asking questions - like you're doing. Use a bullet puller and take the cartridges apart.Norm99 said:
I didn't think you could, (read it here on CGN) but just punch the old primer out with the decapper. I have done it with live ones.
.... Interesting "problem" ! Let us know if you ever find the definitive cause ! Using the standard RCBS Lube Pad, there's virtually no chance of contaminating the primers enough to cause the "misfires" . Just to be on the safe side, do try and flush out the firring pins' path, and the spring that powers it . Faulty primers from the factory would be unusual ,to say the least ! Stored in a damp area perhaps ? .... David K. PS You really can pull the misfired rounds apart with a "bullet puller' and just decap slowly, with eye protection on, in case of an "accident" !
Norm99 said:
Norm99, If you moved the case shoulder back too far during full length sizing, you might have increased head space enough to absorb enough of the firing pin blow to prevent ignition in some cases. Instead of igniting the primer, the firing pin pushes the case forward into the chamber absorbing some of the firing pin blow.
NormB
I've decapped plenty of live primers with the decapping rod, but must admit it isn't a great idea. A drop of water in the case will soak the primer and make impossible for it to fire while it is still wet. The chances of firing the primer are slim without the water, but it's a slim chance with your nuts under the press! Richard Lee chronographed primers blowing out of the case out of curiousity and clocked them at 1200 fps. He called it the worlds shortest barrel.
- Location
- Virden, MB
Are you washing your brass? Of course the littlest moisture in them will condinsate and cause missfires. Yea that happened to me.
The cases were all cleaned with a damp towel after I resized them. I also just remembered that I resized a large number of cases with a rcbs resizer and then broke the decapping pin of. I then switched to an older herters die. I wonder if the die was faulty?
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
Norm99 said:
Use lube very sparingly. After resizing, remove any lube from cases.
I concur with NormB, probably excessive headspace.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Set the reloaded cartridge on it's base, on a level surface beside a factory round. You may be able to see if the shoulder is pushed back.
If you can fire the rounds by double striking the primer, the brass will fireform to the chamber and be ok for further loading.
If you can fire the rounds by double striking the primer, the brass will fireform to the chamber and be ok for further loading.
