Cheap primers?

[BC38]

I just had a bad experience with that seller.
Primers were shipped in a really flimsy box, no ORMD label, and just some paper to cushion things. The box arrived torn, missing some contents, and leaking primers!
Calling the company it turns out they wash their hands once it gets handed to Fedex, so *I* have to try to get FEDEX to refund/replace the shipment.

I would send them a photo of the IMPROPERLY MARKED AND SHIPPED box (no haz-mat markings) and ask them if they REALLY want me to file a claim with FedEx and show them that the seller isn't following the DOT shipping regs OR the FedEx shipping rules for shipping hazardous materials.

If their answer is to go ahead and do that, then they are idiots just asking for some real trouble.

 

[Boogsawaste]

I've loaded a whole bunch of Argentine primers. I hardly use the priming system on any of my progressives save for my pro2000. I have had all of these go bang with a hand priming tool, aps bench mount, and my pro2000. Just gotta make sure they're seated fully.

 

[rh73]

I would send them a photo of the IMPROPERLY MARKED AND SHIPPED box (no haz-mat markings) and ask them if they REALLY want me to file a claim with FedEx and show them that the seller isn't following the DOT shipping regs OR the FedEx shipping rules for shipping hazardous materials.

If their answer is to go ahead and do that, then they are idiots just asking for some real trouble.

ORM-D Phase Out | PHMSA

 

[Skeet 028]

Surprisedthey weren't packed correctly. Mine came packed in a box with some bubba wrap and paper. Taped well with haz mat markings. File the claim with Fed Ex. Not all Fed ex delivery people are actual employees...They will know who delivered. And if Norma was deficient C'est la vie!...they will know who packed the shipment

 

[ACORN]

My order came securely packed and padded with (as stated on their site) "Adult signature required".
If FedEx did their job and asked for a signature, I'd surely have checked it out before doing so. Especially if it was leaking primers.

 

[stonebuster]

I'm working on my 3rd brick of Servicios & Aventuras(Argentine) SPP. I had only two FTF which I believe was caused by not being seated properly. They went off the second strike. The foreign primers are slightly larger diameter leading to not seating deep enough sometimes. I used Murom SPP with HP-38 and had a squib leaving unburned powder all over the revolver. Contacted seller who informed me Murom primers worked well with Titegroup. Switched to TG with Murom and 3k later with no issues. For half the price of domestic primers I'll continue using them for 38spl range ammo. BTW, I prime single stage on a Lee Classic four hole turret press.

 

[TAROMAN]

I hand prime everything. RCBS tool.
Never an issue until, in the midst of a panic, purchased some Murom.
In the first few hundred had two detonate while being seated.
Best I've found are MKE from Turkey. These are the easiest to ignite, other than my favorite - Federal.

 

[BC38]

ORM-D Phase Out | PHMSA

Yeah, I know all about the phase out of the old ORMD label. I worked for a Fortune 100 package delivery company for 26 years, and still keep up on the shipping regs for these kinds of haz-mats, because they directly affect me and my hobbies.

The old ORMD label has been replaced by the new "Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials" label (below)

Although teletech didn't mention the "new" label, based on what he posted, I'm suspecting that the package didn't have ANY required DOT labeling.

teletech: did your package of primers have the "Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials" label pictured (above) anywhere on the box?

 

[Spur]

Hmmm....I bought 5K of the SPP from Norma and have loaded and shot 500 or so in 38 Special on my 550B and all have gone off with no problem. But, haven't loaded them in anything else.......I reasoned that if nothing else it would help me stretch my CCI, Win, and Federal primers......

 

[.38SuperMan]

I loaded another batch of 38's using the Argentine primers being conscious of proper seating and every one went off on first shot. I shot them in my Colt cobra which is the same gun I shot the first batch in that had 2 failures. I have another 50 loaded and plan to shoot those Monday. At this point and after looking at the 2 primers that failed, the primers were barely dented and were off center. Im giving the gun a 50/50 chance of being my problem.

 

[lrrifleman]

Thank you! I appreciate this unexpected post. It is giving me confidence to attempt to try the foreign primers.

 

[teletech]

Nope, nothing on the box suggesting it was hazardous or unusual in any way.
I went to the local Fedex location in-person and was told "Oh, that's Fedex *ground*, different company. Let me give you their number"

Yeah, I know all about the phase out of the old ORMD label. I worked for a Fortune 100 package delivery company for 26 years, and still keep up on the shipping regs for these kinds of haz-mats, because they directly affect me and my hobbies.

The old ORMD label has been replaced by the new "Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials" label (below)

Although teletech didn't mention the "new" label, based on what he posted, I'm suspecting that the package didn't have ANY required DOT labeling.

teletech: did your package of primers have the "Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials" label pictured (above) anywhere on the box?

 

[BE Mike]

Thank you! I appreciate this unexpected post. It is giving me confidence to attempt to try the foreign primers.

For me, "Cheap is as cheap does!" A Hi-Point pistol will safely launch bullets and is reported to be reliable, but that's not all I'm looking for in a pistol. For me Servicios Aventuras primers don't work with my Dillon 550 like American primers. After I've gone through these 5,000, I won't be buying any more.

 

[rockquarry]

Look at the responses here. Some say foreign primers work fine; others (and not just a few) mention some shortcoming experienced with them. I've never used foreign primers, but have had good results with American made primers of all types for about sixty years.

Consider spending a little more and buy American-made primers.

 

[Skeet 028]

I've used foreign made primers for years...including primers made by Fiocchi Nobel Rio Russian and another European Finnish sold by Speer and Hodgdon years ago along with Alcan/S&W...(Fiocchi) both metallic and shotshell. I have been mostly impressed by the European brands I have used. I must say however that for the most part the European primers may not quite measure the same size as US made primers. They DO use the metric system while we still use the old inch system...so there could be a thousandth or 2 difference in size. I have had no problems to date other than with shotshells with primer pocket expansion in American made ammo. Shotshells DO work at usually lower pressures so have never seen a reason to complain. I had no problems with the russkie primers firing but they did seat a bit harder but I mostly used them on a Dillon Super 1050 loading 45 auto...It had a primer pocket swage on it though. Oh and the comment above about Estate Shotshells having paper basewads which could cause the basewad to come out. Federal still makes paper shells in the old manner as do many European brands. I loaded a few 100 thousand of the old shells with no basewad problems other than a Remington pressed in style used for a few years that was insufficient to reload more than twice if that. You could generally never get enough reloads on those rolled paper base cases to create a real concern...even if you ironed the cases(which I did).I even ironed some plastic cases years ago. Forster made an ironer specifically for plastic cases. Occassionaly you could get a shell to shoot off at the base...but that also happened with the Remington Blue Magic case...another almost not quite as good as a AA...Have to add I actually had a few Zingers with AA 410s shooting off at the bases after as few as 3 or 4 reloads.

 

[Tim Stapp]

just ordered last night 2 bricks of the Norma primers. They've been on my radar for a couple of weeks. Wife finally said yes! Not much more than I paid in 2020, than God. I still remember when I squealed like a pig when primers prices went sky high during the Clinton years. Had I known, I'd have stocked up to the rafters and retired by now!

 

[.38SuperMan]

I just shot 75 rounds of 38 special today all using the cheap Argentine primers. I seated them as I normally do using my Square Deal B and not single problem. I'll add I don't find them any more difficult to seat than any other brand.

When I first bought these I loaded a few rounds to try. I had two not fire but on close examination they were light strikes way off center. I'm chalking that up to a gun problem not a primer issue. I think I've shot about 150 of them and only those light strikes failed to ignite on the first attempt and did fire on the second.

I'll be shooting more this week and will report back.

 

[Tim Stapp]

just ordered last night 2 bricks of the Norma primers. They've been on my radar for a couple of weeks. Wife finally said yes! Not much more than I paid in 2020, than God. I still remember when I squealed like a pig when primers prices went sky high during the Clinton years. Had I known, I'd have stocked up to the rafters and retired by now!

Ordered on the evening of the 18th.(after hours) free shipping. Received today the 21st. Impressed so far!

I'll measure them and compare to the CCI and Winchester that I have.

 

[glenwolde]

I had some issues with the SA primers, but I'm entirely not sure it's the primer's fault. I got some from Powder Valley on a "free hazmat" sale for $55 /1,000.

I loaded a box on my Lee single stage with the goofy swinging primer system and had about 40% misfires in my Model 66. Pulled out the Blackhawk figuring the huge hammer swinging in a giant arc would set off anything. It did. They all fired.

I loaded another box using the Lee Ram Prime which primes with the full force of the downstroke on the single stage. It will tear the rim off the brass if you get too heavy handed. Those shot fine in the Model 66. So obviously they weren't completely seated. But then I found the strain screw on the Model 66 was backed off a good bit. So now I don't know if that would have been enough to set them off like the Blackhawk could.

I'm going to load some on my Dillon to see if those work in a bunch of different guns to try and sort it out. If nothing else I can shoot them up in my Blackhawk.