Reloading questions

I started reloading the last part of May 2003. I started with my 30-06 and then moved to my .223. Since then I have reloaded 400 rounds for the 30-06, 350 rounds for my .223 Feeling comfortable with the process, I tried to improve the quality of my rounds and moved to CCI's benchrest and magnum primers. I purchased a package of each. I worked up some loads starting with starting loads out of the book and out of 20 magnum rounds I had 3 misfires. Out of 80 benchrest rounds I had 6 misfires. I was using CCI regular primers in the previous 400 rounds and never had a misfire. The only difference in my process is the usage of the different primers.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? What do you experienced reloaders think? Could the benchrest and magnum primers been sitting around the shop to long before I purchased them?

Thanks in advance for you help,

#I started reloading the last part of May 2003. I started with my 30-06 and #then moved to my .223. Since then I have reloaded 400 rounds for the 30-06, #350 rounds for my .223 Feeling comfortable with the process, I tried to #improve the quality of my rounds and moved to CCI's benchrest and magnum #primers. I purchased a package of each. I worked up some loads starting with #starting loads out of the book and out of 20 magnum rounds I had 3 misfires. #Out of 80 benchrest rounds I had 6 misfires. I was using CCI regular primers #in the previous 400 rounds and never had a misfire. The only difference in #my process is the usage of the different primers. # #Has anyone else had a similar problem? What do you experienced reloaders #think? Could the benchrest and magnum primers been sitting around the shop #to long before I purchased them? # #Thanks in advance for you help, # #Bob

Bob,

Welcome to the fun filled, and sometimes frustating, world of reloading.

About the only things that will harm a primer is frequent severe shifts in humidity and temperatures over a couple year time period. Either of these should not be occuring in any sort of shop. Some of us have primers on our shelves that are 15 to 20 years old, if not more. I doubt that there is a problem with the primers unless they were just badly stored or handled over the recent past.

While all my reloading is for handguns I am pretty sure that some of my experiences or research would apply. Sometimes certain primers just will not work properly with certain powders.

Now, since you have switched primers, have you noticed any difference is the way they go into the primer pocket. One thing to consider is that the new primer may not have been seated as deep as the others. This could cause the firing pin energy to be used to finish seating the primer and not ignite it.

CCI primers are considered to be some of the harder ones to insert into the primer pocket. They are a very good primer, though.

Did you try a second time to fire any of the rounds that did not go off?

******** 'The highest function of ecology is the understanding of the consequences.' Pardot Kynes, Initial Report to the Imperium DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson) ********

May be a seating problem. Are you cleaning primer pockets?

Alex,

I have been really enjoying my self with reloading. I can see why some people say its so addicting. I did not notice any difference in the primer seating and all primers looked like the were at the same depth. I was using a recipe for 125 Nosler BLT, CCI benchmark and Varget powder. The other was IMR 4350 150 GR Nosler Partition and CCI magnum primers. Now I was using new Remington brass. Never been fired, but it did not seem to matter with my combination and the regular primers. If you don't think the primers might have been old then I will start paying closer attention to the seating depth and how they feel while seating.

bob

Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

A crunchy black fouling will build up in primer pockets and interfire with seating and also cushion firing pin impacts so that a primer that is not real sensitive will not go off. Run your finger over the base of the case of one of your unfired reloads. If the primer feels 'high' that is your problem. The fouling can be removed with a little screw driver. Don't scrape the sides of the pocket and dont enlarge the flash hole while you are cleaning. Let us know what you find out. Larry

I have been using CCI250 Magnum primers for 30 years and never experienced what you did. I can't remember if I ever had a misfire. You may not be seating them all the way in, and it might be a good idea to buy a primer pocket brush and be sure the primer pocket is clean. You can also just run a scribe (awl) around the inside to the pocket to remove the crusty residue.

I wanted to add one more thing to my statement. When I had a misfire I waited about 20 seconds and racked the bolt. Looked at the primer. There was a good imprint of the firing pin on the primer. I inserted the cartridge back into the rifle and it fired the second time around. I don't have any problem with this at the range but I am a little worried the deer wont stand there long enough and wait on my to get my act together.