First primer misfire

[gunfighter48]

The only bad primers I've ever had have been Winchester. But I've only had 4 bad ones out of several 1,000. i use CCI 300 Large pistol for my 45ACP and 45 Colt rounds and have never had any bad ones out of more than 20,000 primers spread over 12 years of handloading.

 

[HKB]

Second primer misfire today. I will now be avoiding the purchase of Winchester primers.

 

[fredj338]

Over 40yrs of reloading more than 250k rds, I bet I haven't had 5 true misfire primers.

 

[Jboutfishn]

Been reloading 60 years, I had one small pistol primer (CCI I believe) fail to go bang many years ago. I removed the primer from the case and it was clean with no priming compound.

 

[rwsmith]

It might not have been the primer at all...

I said that I've had several primers misfire early on, but it could just have well have been my fault if I didn't seat them all the way. My method of seating primers was a good bit more crude back in the early 80's. I use a hand primer now and check each one after it's seated.

 

[scooter123]

I use a hand primer while watching the boob tube to prime my cases and it's become a habit to peek at the primer before putting the case in place. Because there have been times when I haven't gotten every single primer flipped to the correct orientation. One day I gave a peek and thought a brass primer that wasn't flipped had somehow gotten into my box of nickel plated CCI primers. A closer look revealed that the anvil in that primer was missing and that "brass" was actually the raw priming compound. I'll bet you a dollar that particular primer wouldn't fire no matter how many times it was hit and I normally don't bet. Stuff happens and there are two things that keep me loading Single Stage. One is because I only shoot about 250 rounds per week so a progressive really isn't necessary. The second is that Stuff Happens and loading single stage gives me the time to see Stuff before it becomes a Problem.

 

[Rule3]

Second primer misfire today. I will now be avoiding the purchase of Winchester primers.

When you switch to another brand and have a misfire will it be the end of those primers also?

 

[Engineer1911]

My car battery died once.

If you live in the Northern Tier of states your battery will die every 3rd winter on the 3rd day of seriously low temperatures -- the Rule of 3.

 

[Engineer1911]

Second primer misfire today. I will now be avoiding the purchase of Winchester primers.

You will run out of primer brands if you keep this up.

 

[Rule3]

You will run out of primer brands if you keep this up.

It has to be the equipment or product, never the installer.

I need new Golf Clubs, Tennis Gear and Fishing equipment.

 

[flintsghost]

Primer failures

I've been using a lot of different brands over the years. Winchester happens to be a favorite over the years. However, since they no longer nickel plate the primer cups, there have been a large number of complaints about Winchester primers of various types. WLR's have gotten lots of complaints on the M14 forum. Now WSP's although there is no mention of whether these are the copper colored primer cups which are newer or the older nickeled cups.

 

[HKB]

I've been using a lot of different brands over the years. Winchester happens to be a favorite over the years. However, since they no longer nickel plate the primer cups, there have been a large number of complaints about Winchester primers of various types. WLR's have gotten lots of complaints on the M14 forum. Now WSP's although there is no mention of whether these are the copper colored primer cups which are newer or the older nickeled cups.

They are the newer ones, never had a misfire with the older nickeled ones.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Second primer failure, I suggest you check your primers for correct seating .

 

[HKB]

Second primer failure, I suggest you check your primers for correct seating .

Over 10,100 rounds fired in 9mm, more in .38 Special and .380 without a problem. Several thousand more in .45 ACP, large primers if you are counting, never a problem. Both failures had good solid primer strikes, it was not a fault of mine.

 

[dmar]

I've shot 10s of thousands of my reloads, so far, without a dead primer. Must be lucky...

I'd estimate that close to 85-90% of my reloads have been done with Winchester primers. I also use some CCI and Federal, but prefer Winchester. They work well for me.

 

[GB]

I had a FTF last week, on a 45LC. Looked on the bottom of the box and they were loaded in 1990. Thought to myself "did you not put powder in the case?" Disassembled and found powder, so I guess it must have been a primer failure. The box has been in and out of storage three or four times in 25 years and some of that storage has been in uncontrolled temp. storage sheds. I can't remember how many primer failures I have had with my reloads but it isn't many. Had way more with factory ammo (several with factory match ammo) that cost me big time during match shoots. It is a man made item and stuff happens. If you can narrow it down to one brand and one lot of primers maybe an email to customer service will result in them discovering a problem that they didn't know they had. I would probably set that box/lot of primers, aside and use another brand or another lot. Maybe use them for something other than self-loaders.

Many years ago, I had trouble with a bunch of commercial reloads, by one of the "big boys" in the field, at that time. I called them and talked to one of their techs. They denied any issues but I have done my homework and knew that they had been using a certain brand of primers and that several of those lots of primers were reported to be "Hard". Those primers would require two or three strikes before ignition but they did fire. I never got them to admit a problem but did get them to take back and replace a significant quantity of ammo (out of the goodness of their heart) Never had another issue with that company and still use their products today. Primers are probably the weakest link in the reloading process but to this point no one has come up with a better system.

 

[HKB]

Okay all is forgiven for now. Just received an order of 15,000 small pistol primers, Winchester had the best price and shipping was free. All from the same lot and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[HKB]

Shot my last 100 rounds from the failed primer lot and BINGO another failed primer. Hopefully, this new lot will not give be problems.

 

[rwsmith]

Earlier this week.....

Had one this week. Out of about 120 rounds, misfire, ejected cartridge, loaded and hit it again. No good.

 

[HKB]

Had another primer failure a month ago. I normally shoot between 100 and 200 rounds per range trip, numbers depend on conditions. I usually carry a few spare rounds to keep an even count, but not this time, I'll have to start that up again.

14,400 rounds through my 92FS.