[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Primer issue... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/18/2013 1:44:29 PM EDT
Ok guys, I'm having a brain fart with a recent reload. 
LC brass, Varget gas, Federal match primers and Sierra 168gr BTHP. Reload of 4 rounds, went to range and I heard that awful "click" on rounds #1,2 and 4. Shot #3 only one that fired. I shook the 3 unfired, ( make sure I put gas in em'). Reloaded another set, this time 8 round. Basicly the same scenerio, out of the total 12 rounds, 4 fired. 
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That's weird... Federal primers have some of the softest cups in the industry so I doubt it's a light strike (although that's still a possibility).
Varget is a stick powder that doesn't need magnum primers... Are you crushing the primers? How far below flush are they seated? How does the rifle do with factory ammo? Any failures? |
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Let's see:
70% chance head to shoulder dim is too short (case head space exceeding .015) or too long (bolt not closing) 20% chance LC prep involved a Primer Pocket Uniformer that milled the primer pocket too deep. 5% chance that firing pin is making short or soft strokes into the primer. 5% chance, some other reason. |
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Let's see: 70% chance head to shoulder dim is too short (case head space exceeding .015) or too long (bolt not closing) 20% chance LC prep involved a Primer Pocket Uniformer that milled the primer pocket too deep. 5% chance that firing pin is making short or soft strokes into the primer. 5% chance, some other reason. looks right to me. |
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That's weird... Federal primers have some of the softest cups in the industry so I doubt it's a light strike (although that's still a possibility). Varget is a stick powder that doesn't need magnum primers... Are you crushing the primers? None chrushed. How far below flush are they seated? Flushed How does the rifle do with factory ammo? Marlin Heavy Barrel 308, eat factory. Any failures? No FTF or FTE, used it last hunting season..... |
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Ok guys, I'm having a brain fart with a recent reload.
LC brass, Varget gas, Federal match primers and Sierra 168gr BTHP. Reload of 4 rounds, went to range and I heard that awful "click" on rounds #1,2 and 4. Shot #3 only one that fired. I shook the 3 unfired, ( make sure I put gas in em'). Reloaded another set, this time 8 round. Basicly the same scenerio, out of the total 12 rounds, 4 fired.
Um, gas? 
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Quoted:
Let's see: 70% chance head to shoulder dim is too short (case head space exceeding .015) or too long (bolt not closing) These were some of my best measured/trimmed. 20% chance LC prep involved a Primer Pocket Uniformer that milled the primer pocket too deep. 5% chance that firing pin is making short or soft strokes into the primer. 5% chance, some other reason. |
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Ok guys, I'm having a brain fart with a recent reload.
LC brass, Varget gas, Federal match primers and Sierra 168gr BTHP. Reload of 4 rounds, went to range and I heard that awful "click" on rounds #1,2 and 4. Shot #3 only one that fired. I shook the 3 unfired, ( make sure I put gas in em'). Reloaded another set, this time 8 round. Basicly the same scenerio, out of the total 12 rounds, 4 fired.
Um, gas? Thats what I call powder... |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's see: 70% chance head to shoulder dim is too short (case head space exceeding .015) or too long (bolt not closing) 20% chance LC prep involved a Primer Pocket Uniformer that milled the primer pocket too deep. 5% chance that firing pin is making short or soft strokes into the primer. 5% chance, some other reason. looks right to me. Yep, |
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Let's see: 70% chance head to shoulder dim is too short (case head space exceeding .015) or too long (bolt not closing) These were some of my best measured/trimmed. 20% chance LC prep involved a Primer Pocket Uniformer that milled the primer pocket too deep. 5% chance that firing pin is making short or soft strokes into the primer. 5% chance, some other reason. COAL doesn't matter here. They headspace off the shoulder. |
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Any chance these primers were exposed to an environment not good for primers? Long exposure to high humidity, spilled a drink on them, anything? I brought them down in the garage to reload, well I got side tracked, and went to JRTC for 3 weeks (January) and came back and reloaded them. I was thinking the cold, but I had a box of a 100 small rifle that had been out there since October, and I used all for my AR and them shot perfect as usual. |
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You might want to set the primers a tad deeper; .004" to .007" below the face of the case head is about right. This "sets" the anvil in the primer for the most efficient transfer of the firing pin's energy to the priming pellet. given- Are you crushing the primers? None chrushed. How far below flush are they seated? Flushed
that might be the answer. |
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You might want to set the primers a tad deeper; .004" to .007" below the face of the case head is about right. This "sets" the anvil in the primer for the most efficient transfer of the firing pin's energy to the priming pellet. given- Are you crushing the primers? None chrushed. How far below flush are they seated? Flushed
that might be the answer. I think it might be. I had the same problem when I started handloading. I use a Lee priming tool, and a pro taught me to put a slight amount of "crush" to it. That gave me the aforementioned seating-depth range, and reliable ignition every time. I'm too ham-handed to get the right feel by priming with the press. I imagine that a bit of practice would help, but I like the thumb-powered Lee, so that's what I use. |
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Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture....
Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in.
So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... 
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Quoted:
Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in.
So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... How did you get moisture inside them? 
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Quoted: Quoted: Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in. So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... How did you get moisture inside them? Gas? |
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Quoted: Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in. So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... I've waited 32 years to give someone this advice. Keep your powder dry.  |
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Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in.
So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... How did you get moisture inside them? Gas? POWDER.. |
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Quoted:
Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in.
So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... How did you get moisture inside them? As stated above, I was prepping for reload, got side tracked for TDY trip (last mintue JTA) and left them sitting in the block in garage instead of putting em' back in the ziplock bag. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. One of my armament guys took his humidity/moisture thing (I have no idea what it is) he uses it in the teams arms room. It ready 1.023bulb somethingerother!? Inspection of the case showed a couple pellets stuck to the sides of the cases. He told me its ok to leave on loading bench, just not in my case holder with the primers in.
So, thanks to all, and Mr. Chapman. I'll have my wife slap my face and tell me not to do it again... I've waited 32 years to give someone this advice. Keep your powder dry.
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My first reloads ever, I was tentative (nervous ) putting pressure on the primer while seating.
At the range, I had multiple rounds that did not go off, but had small dents in primers. They all fired on second attempt. I believe I was not seating them deep enough, and the firing pin was being cushioned as it pushed the primer deeper into the pocket. Haven't had the problem since. I seat the primer deeper and firmer now. |
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Quoted: Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. May not be moisture, probably incomplete burning of the powder. Your primer/powder combo just won't work See this thread http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/388604_.html ETA: you should ask a mod to move this to the reloading forum |
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Well, think we found the problem, it was mentioned up a few post. Moisture.... Removed bullets form 3, dumped powder, set casings aside. Kelnex where I poured powder, had a small moist oily looking spot. I took same amount of powder from powder jug, and put on a kelnex. Both set 5 minutes, loaded powder moisture shows, and non-loaded dry. May not be moisture, probably incomplete burning of the powder. Your primer/powder combo just won't work See this thread http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/388604_.html ETA: you should ask a mod to move this to the reloading forum I've done these same loads, probably 900 rounds. |
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Nope, moisture....  Yea, I missed the part about leaving them on the bench, powdered for a while. No powder, just primed in the block. Last night after work, I pulled 2 brass primed only cases and fire them....both shot. So I know it was just the few I left on the bench. Glad it wasn't the whole bag
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