Mike,
At the risk of disagreeing with a fellow Hoosier I just want to remind you that some folks buy in VERY LARGE quantities and load minimally. There is a possibility that they may be just running out of the older softer primers. Albeit slim. but the possibility still exists.

I have had trouble but found a way around it. As for firearms that are tuned to different levels, that is unchallengeably true and you know that.

There are some spring kits available that state right on the package to use a certain brand of primer when they are installed, Federal. Why do you suppose that is true? Because they are the softest, by far.


Food for thought!

I acquired a few Winchester primers of most varieties and don't really see a lot of difference in any of them. Of course, I normally use CCIs and don't have any problems with them either.

I did have a slight FTF problem with my M28-2, after it had had the main spring ground down, but that was when I was using CCI 400s in it.

re: Federal primers....

my 650 just doesn't like 'em....
always get an unusual amount of mashed, tweaked, squished, & otherwise FUBARed enough to not be usuable rounds.

Got the lot number on the WLPs; will be emailing Winchester in the morning.

m657,

Please let us know what transpires.

Got in touch with a Winchester Rep and she is sending a 'will call' tag for me to return some to them.

Got a few reloads that did NOT ignite, either the powder OR the primer. Put it in 3 different guns & nothing would set it off. Tore one down, (yes powder was there and there was NO forward motion of the slug) looked in the flash hole and could see much.

Since some of the anvils have come off in the primer tube, I think that's what happened.

She sounded like they want to solve the mystery.


Update when I hear back from them.

I use WLP's exclusively in my 45 loadings with no problems so far.

I had another misfire today with win. primers in a gun that never gives trouble. The primer went off on the fifth try. The only misfire in 200 rds fired.

I haven't had any issues at all with WLP to date. They are a favorite for many of my .44 Special, .44 magnum and .45 ACP loads. But I acknowledge that I reload on a relatively small scale considering my loading is all done on an old RCBS RockChucker. My reloading output is in the hundreds. Some forum members may run through a bunch more than I do. If there are defects with the WLP primers then those members will ferret them out sooner than I would.

Save for the CCI primers Casull recomended for their load, I've used Winchester primers exclusively since 1983 for every caliber I own, rifle and pistol, and I can honestly say I haven't experienced a failed primer.

I can't say I like the look of the new brass looking ones, but they haven't shown any problems so far.

They used to say for standard or magnum on the LP and LR, but I don't see that on the new blue box. Are they still rated this way? I have a .300 Wby that needs some fresh rounds.

I have one of the blue box packets in front of me now. It says at the bottom, "LARGE PISTOL FOR STANDARD OR MAGNUM PISTOL LOADS" (no shouting intended - just quoting verbatim from the box).

I think for 300 Weatherby I'd use something that said Magnum on the primer box somewhere. Not sure in handguns(short of the really big boys-460-500-454 ect) it makes any difference.

Not sure about the 460 or the 454 but the 500 takes a large rifle primer, that I do know. Not a magnum per se but a large rifle primer none the less. Even with powders like Trail Boss it is noted to use those primers. That case is a cavernous one to say the least!

m657,
My prediction is you will see great results from the folks at Winchester.

I have used thousands and thousands (30k plus) over my short reloading "career" and have never had an issue.

Good luck!!

Bob

quote:

I have a .300 Wby that needs some fresh rounds.

I use Federal 215's for all my large Magnum's. I beleive this is what it was designed for.

No problems with WLP's and it is my primer of choice for my handgun loads that require LP size.