New Lot CCI 450 issues

[superde]

Anyone had ignition issues with this lot of CCI 450’s? I had 3 rounds not go off during a match a few weeks back. Two of the three rounds went off on the second attempt. They are seated .005” deep in Alpha Brass. Never had an issue with this rifle until this new lot of primers. I’m going to try my spare bolt next time I go out to the range.

 

[straightshooter1]

Anyone had ignition issues with this lot of CCI 450’s? I had 3 rounds not go off during a match a few weeks back. Two of the three rounds went off on the second attempt. They are seated .005” deep in Alpha Brass. Never had an issue with this rifle until this new lot of primers. I’m going to try my spare bolt next time I go out to the range.

Seems to me, being .005" below flush is a good place to be. Of course, it depends on how deep you pockets are??? How did the primers look in term of how the firing pin struck them?

Yeah, check with that spare bolt is a good idea. It might be a firing pin issue is you're looking at light strikes on the primers???

 

[superde]

These were two of the failure to fire rounds, primer strikes look good. I sent the picture to Tate/Impact as well and he agreed.

 

[LR1845]

How many rounds on this action? Does your action use a trigger hanger? Are you sure the primers are seated deep enough?
When's the last time you did a full tear down and cleaning of the bolt? Or last time you changed the spring?

Only time I have ever had these issues is one of the above or the cocking piece dragging on the sear.

 

[Maurygold]

My first guess would also be it’s related to the bolt/ firing in more so than those primers primers being bad. But anything is possible

 

[Lwood]

I don't know, but those primer strikes look a little on the light side to me.

 

[straightshooter1]

These were two of the failure to fire rounds, primer strikes look good. I sent the picture to Tate/Impact as well and he agreed.

It's really hard to tell in those pictures as they kinda look a little light, but not enough where I wouldn't think it'd keep them from igniting.

The other place I'd take a close look at is the case headspace; a short case headspace can cause this issue too???

 

[superde]

Thanks gentlemen. I had 400 rounds fire without issue with the last of my old lot of 450’s with this barrel. There are probably over 30k rounds on this action and a lot of dryfires. Trying the extra bolt I carry in my pack should show if it is a firing pin spring/firing pin issue (bolt has probably 100 rounds on it).

 

[Zebulon]

I’d either way pop the primers out

And see if you can hit them with a nail/ hammer

Just to see if they’ll even go off!

I do this with junk ammo like wolf and Tula as they def have soooooo many mis fires

And playing cartridge surgeon is always fun

 

[trlrman]

BR 4's this weekend. They didn't fire either.

 

[jthor]

.005" deep seems right for Alpha Brass and 450s, thats where mine sit. Trying to eliminate any potential mechanical problem within the firing system, when's the last time you changed the firing pin spring?

 

[Zebulon]

View attachment 8649483BR 4's this weekend. They didn't fire either.

That’s definitely weird. A lot of the four primers I have. I’ve never had issues with any of them. I wonder what’s going on.

 

[LR1845]

View attachment 8649483BR 4's this weekend. They didn't fire either.

These look like they were not seated deep enough and the firing pin strike knock the anvil out.

 

[trlrman]

I will mark them and pay close attention next time they get loaded .

 

[straightshooter1]

View attachment 8649483BR 4's this weekend. They didn't fire either.

Are these virgin brass?

I suspect the case's headspace are too short. Such a thing makes it where the case is pushed forward enough where the firing pin won't deliver enough force to the anvil inside the primer to cause it to ignite. The primer surface still gets indented, but it's being cushioned by the case moving forward by quite a bit. It's similar to a primer seated too far from the bottom of the pocket.

 

[trlrman]

Yes, they were 1st timers , shot 246 others with no problems ?

 

[straightshooter1]

Yes, they were 1st timers , shot 246 others with no problems ?

Since virgin brass is really not all that uniform in their dimensions (why typically fire forming is done before load development), that pretty much explains the problem for me. That being . . . those particular cases of your lot were too short.

If they haven't been fired yet, you can measure them (their headspace) and see how they compare to those that have been fired. And to get them fired, you might need to simply use a more sensitive primer. . . like the CCI-400's well seated to the bottom of the pockets???

 

[trlrman]

Great suggestions ! Thanks for that .

 

[superde]

.005" deep seems right for Alpha Brass and 450s, thats where mine sit. Trying to eliminate any potential mechanical problem within the firing system, when's the last time you changed the firing pin spring?

I have never changed a FP Spring, lol. Now that I’ve done some reading, it appears some people change them annually.

 

[jthor]

I have never changed a FP Spring, lol. Now that I’ve done some reading, it appears some people change them annually.

I change mine in my competition rifles every new barrel. Just something to check.

 

[LR1845]

I have never changed a FP Spring, lol. Now that I’ve done some reading, it appears some people change them annually.

I clean and re-lube my bolt 3-4 times a year and change the spring in the fall(yearly)when the season slows down.

 

[superde]

@jthor and @LR1845 What actions are you both running, and what springs are you using? I just looked at Impact and they are out of FP springs.

 

[LR1845]

@jthor and @LR1845 What actions are you both running, and what springs are you using? I just looked at Impact and they are out of FP springs.

I am running 2 CDG actions right now but going back to lone peak as soon as my barrel comes in, I order 2-3 springs at a time from the action maker, when I get down to the last one I order 3 more. I bet if you call Impact they will send you a spring free of charge. And FYI I do this same thing with a rim fires.

 

[jthor]

@jthor and @LR1845 What actions are you both running, and what springs are you using? I just looked at Impact and they are out of FP springs.

I use an Impact.

Wolf springs, which I’m quite sure is what Impact uses.
Short action R700, 24lb spring.