Shotshell primer depth?

C

cartwheel

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
Location
Just West of T.O.
Hi all,

A question for the shell experts out there. At the trap field yesterday I had a FTF on the lower barrel of my Winchester select energy (same as FN 101). Pulled the trigger and "click". waited a few seconds- opened the action and definitely a light primer strike. Closed it back up and tried again- "click". Pulled the shell and put in in the top chamber- bang! First FTF for me with any shotgun.

Got home and started looking at everything- I am sure that the lower pin is not dirty/chipped and working fine. Sat an empty shell on top of the pin (with the barrel off) and tested how far the pin strike launched the shell. Both upper and lower pins were similar and what I would consider "adequate" as the shells launched with some gusto.

So- I stared looking at the shells- Federal TopGun target loads. Compared to the other shells I have it seems they have primers that are deeper recessed and definitely well below the surface.

Ok- long winded, but my question: What is the proper depth for a primer in a shot shell? Flush to the surface or recessed some amount? What do you all think?
 
Something wrong with the gun IMO mechanical fault or gunk buildup

They will tell you a good depth to aim for is .005" below flush but who checks that in shotshells. Protruding I will correct anything flush or below has never given me a problem and I am talking probally a million of reloads over almost 50 years
Springs / pins been removed , cleaned and checked?? Federal 209 primers can be a bit harder than others in shotgun but not enough to be the root cause
Cheers
 
Last edited:
Ok- thanks for the info! Maybe I got a bad lot. Opened a couple of the other boxes in the flat and measured depth with cheap calipers. Only a few were 0.005", most were under 0.01" deep, but 4 were more than 0.01 and the worst was 0.014". I tried to take photos against a straight edge but I can't get it to turn out.

I had the action out of the stock a few weeks ago for a cleaning and the FTF happened on the 7th box since, so it wouldn't have gotten that gunky yet, but I'll take your advice and pull it apart again and take a closer look.

Normally I don't shoot federals, but that's what they had at the store the last time I needed shells. I think I'm going to stick with my regular shells from now on.
 
If it fired second try, most likely the primer wasnt built properly( off center anvil, thicker primer cup, etc)if it was the only one. If it continues to happen then it could be a firing pin problem, ive had quite a few not fire first, i take it out and load it back in and it went off.
 
In addition to the above information ... Federals have a domed primer. If you are going to have a problem, it will be with them. Your firing pin could be slightly worn and the primer could be slightly in too far.
 
I had a flat of top gun target shells a few years ago that had primers seated too deep like you had. About three in each box of 25 would ftf, then I could get most to fire in my top barrel, some not in any gun in my squad. I summed it up to be the machine they were loaded on wasn't set up right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom