LIGHT PRIMER STRIKES

[lendar]

I have been having trouble with light primer strikes in one of my handi rifles.  Its a 308.  With CCI primers about 1 in 10 don't go off.  I went to Winchester primers and all was fine.  But I still wanted to use CCI primers as I have used them for 40 years.  So I installed the Wolf extra power spring in the 308 and that didn't change anything.  I have also had light primer strikes with 7 other guns and CCI primers.  These are CCI large rifle mag and CCI small pistol.  I emailed CCI but have heard nothing from them.  On the above 308 handi when I put the 45 colt and CCI large pistol primers I get a good primer dent, so I am sure that the gun is not at fault.  Just another note, I followed the instructions found here to put the Wolf spring in and as long as you take your time it is very easy to do.

[quickdtoo]

You're not the first to have problems with CCI primers. 

Tim

[lendar]

CCI just emailed and said it was my fault due to not seating them deep enough.  Funny the Winchester primers are fine.  I kind of thought they would try and blame anyone but themselves.  Its easy for me, no more CCI primers.

[OBXPilgrim]

How far does the firing pin stick out?

Measure it if you don't know.  With just the receiver and stock (no barrel on it), cock the hammer, pull the trigger & hold it back.  Measure the stick-out with the stem end of your dial calipers.  I think mine was around .042". 

I have an M1 Garand firing pin gage that is marked .044"/.059". 

I have heard of someone shaving material off the tip of their hammer to increase the pin stick-out.  You don't want it too far - & I have no clue how far is too much.  If you check any other CENTERFIRE rifles you have, you might see an obvious pattern/average.

[lendar]

I would not want to change anything with the frame as the 45 colt gets a good primer strike.  I think any deeper and it could pierce the primers.

[quickdtoo]

If the problem barrel has an extractor and the problem is too much headspace, you can slim the extractor post a little, then epoxy a shim on the front side of the post to hold the round against the standing breech.

Tim

[Slufoot]

Have you adjusted your sizing die for your barrel?
Take the extractor out of your barrel and insert a sized case. It should be flush to .002" above the back of the barrel. If the case goes in more than this you need to back your sizing die out.
Setting your die up for your barrel will give correct head space, and prolong your brass life.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[bilmac]

I have a Marlin36 that has a tendency to misfire. I never tried to nail it down to a specific primer brand I just started using mag large pistol primers and all is well. Maybe i should fiddle with primer brands as I don't really like to misuse components like that.

[phaessler]

Any measurements on your primer pockets?  I have found signifigant differences between manufacturers, within lots and combine this with primer manufacturing differences the tolerances stack up fast.  WInchester primers as I remember are taller in cup height.   CCI were about 0.005" - 0.008" shorter combine that with a deep pocket and lots of click, little bang.
Had an issue with Starline brass .45-70Govt having deep pockets, and Winchester primers fixed 90% of it, other 10% primer pockets were just too deep.
Just my $0.02

[lendar]

I forgot to tell but all brass for this 308 is once fired in this gun then neck sized on lee dies.  It is one of the heavy barrels and stays at 1 inch or under at 100 yds. Thats with either primer so going to Winchester primers didn't change much.

[bilmac]

To the differences Phaes talks about you could also add the headspace variation mentioned before. It's a wonder we can get our rifles to ever fire. When my Marlin misfires the primers are just very lightly marked, maybe a 1/4 of normal depth. I always attributed my problem to the hardness of the primer cup. Actually the problem has to be the rifles, either a weak spring or a short fireing pin. Since my rifle is a long discontinued model I doubt I could ever find a replacement pin, so I guess I will work at solving the problem at the reloading bench. I'll probably have to load and shoot hundreds of rounds this winter to make sure I have it right. Oh the trials and woes of being a reloading gun owner.