Bad lot of CCI BR2 primers

[Unknown]

Apparently, I'm one of the people who got a batch of the CCI BR2 primers that have ignition problems. For the first time in forever, my bolt action rifle (Defiance Machine action) is having duds. I have spoken with three other shooters who are experiencing similar problems, and like me, it all got traced back to a recent purchase (within the past 8 months) of CCI BR2 primers.

Has anyone written to CCI about the issue? Would it even be worth my time to write to them, or would it simply end up with them blaming me for the issue? So often in the past, when I have written about problems, the manufacturer blames the consumer rather than accepting that a problem happened. If CCI is just going to blow me off, or blame me, I don't want to waste my time.

But if they are like some other manufacturers who truly want to find out why a product doesn't work and don't blame the consumer, I would like to help them (and myself) out.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Can you please list the lot #'s that you or other shooters are having issues with? It could be very helpful to us that are loading ammo for an upcoming match.

 

[shootist2004]

every time I hear about a bad primer its a BR2. (good reason to pay double the cost of regular primers...)

 

[Bigwheels]

Haven't heard of Winchester primer problems? Several threads on them in the last couple years. Including mine.

 

[Jmilera]

No issues here

 

[M40_A1]

So often in the past, when I have written about problems, the manufacturer blames the consumer rather than accepting that a problem happened.

Many times it's called "saving face". The manufacturer or provider doesn't want to take liability, but that doesn't mean they aren't listening. The more feedback they get, the more likelihood the problem will be fixed. I can't count the number of times I've contacted a television or network provider with problems I was experiencing, getting their usual cookie-cutter "it must be you" approach, "try this, and this, and this...". And even though I had already done all the stupid stuff they recommended, the next time I go to use the computer or television, voila! no more problem. They tell you it must be you, but they are silently fixing their problem thanks to your feedback. If everyone just stays silent, well, you understand.

 

[culater]

I have the same issue with my H-S Precision with cci primers, thats why I use fedreal primers only due to the primer cup being softer. cci primers work well on every thing else I use.I think it might be the firing pin spring. Any how try federal primers and be done with it.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Again......please post some lot #'s of that bad batch(s).

 

[mdmp5]

I have BR2s somewhere in my stockpile. I bought them when the primer industry had fairer pricing, and wasn't in gouge mode. I cannot remember any failures, maybe 2? Today, it seems that they are really creating an illusion that these "match" primers are so much better than ordinary primers, that they warrant a 66% premium in price. I call a big fat stinky bullshit on this one. The BR2s are the same to me as the ordinary CCI LR primers. And I also feel the same about Fed210s compared to 210Ms. I use russian primers, and they work just dandy. And as a guy above stated, when I have heard of duds in the past, it was almost invariably involving BR2s.

 

[Assault116]

Again......please post some lot #'s of that bad batch(s).

Yes PLEASE DO!!!!

I'm getting ready to start into a brick of them I bought in December and if same lot, I'd like to know before hand if I need to do some testing first.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

CCI/Speer had a recall on BR-2s a few years back, for sensitivity issues.

It was written about here, so they're not dodging things.

Not making an excuse, but if you go from a normal 8 hour day and then over night, you're doing three shifts a day and not even keeping up with demand, mistakes are going to happen.

You should have called CCI and talked to them first, instead of coming here and if you do, at least have the lot numbers handy so people can check on their own boxes and not waste time waiting for you to reply with the info.

If you're doing things correctly, then it's not you, if you're having duds, so call them and get an RMA number, since we're not allowed to legally ship primers w/o having HAZMAT certifications.


Chris

 

[RHunter]

CCI's are going to shit like the Winchesters did. Even the Large Rifle Mag primers are junk anymore. I dont know if it is the shortage and they are trying to crank them out too fast or what but they really have been a let down and I simply have stopped buying any large primers from them unless I an forced to. If it weren't for 41's and the primers for the 50BMG, I'd stop buying CCI's if I had the choice and stick to Federal.

I remember the day when Federal was garbage and now they make some of the best quality ammo and primers on the market. I have never had a FTF with a federal match primer for as long as I can remember. When I shoot CCI's I always seem to bringing a round or two home that I have to pull down because of a FTF.

 

[.50 Cal Cow]

Bad lot of CCI BR2 primers

OP im in your boat. I've been burning through 5 packs of BR2's I picked up over the last summer and I'm getting a dud every 20 or so rounds. Rather frustrating. I just picked up a 1000 count pack a few months ago before I really started using the other ones. I'm hoping I don't get the same issue.

I'll post my lot numbers next time I'm around pick bench.

 

[Dan Newberry]

The most common problem with them is the cup is too shallow, and they get driven forward in the primer pocket, and the firing pin can't push deep enough to hit the anvil. Take out the duds, and measure them... I find the bad ones are measuring .120", where a good primer should be .126" or very close to that. Some rifles with longer than average firing pin protrusion will reach these bad primers well enough to fire them... it's literally a matter of a couple or three thousandths of an inch.

If primer pockets are uniformed, these primers might tend to give more trouble in such cases.

I've had bad CCI 200's also, about a year back... lot number DS27 IIRC... to find the lot number on CCI primers, tilt the box face in the light and see the number stamped into the cardboard sleeve... it's going to be two letters of the alphabet, and a couple numbers most likely.

I had a client who brought Hornady Superformance 30-06 factory ammo to the course a couple months back. He had two bad primers, which appeared to be Winchester. They just didn't fire. We took the rounds apart, the powder charge (60 grains of Superformance) was intact, the 180 grain SST bullets were good... just bad primers. I replace the primers with WLR's and put the rounds back together, and they fired into the group at 800 yards with the other factory rounds.

I didn't check the thickness of the primer cups which didn't fire... I forgot. :/

Dan

 

[Brux]

I had the same problem with regular CCI LR's and I called them to let them know.They said that they were not having any problem's with the primers.They said they would pay return shipping to get them back and inspect them.The problem was that I would have to drive 90 miles round trip to ship 1000 primers back.You do the math.I am glad I only bought a 1000,it will be the last 1000.I was getting 6 to 7 misfires out of every 20 RDS and tried them in 2 different rifles,same thing.Went back to Feds and no misfires.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

I hate to hear these kind of reports, but I can't help but wonder if some of these issues are due to things other than an actual "bad" primer. I have exclusively used CCI 450's and BR-2's in my match rifles since 2009 and I can honestly only recall one actual round that didnt go off......and this is over the course of thousands of rounds in matches and practice. Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[lancetkenyon]

I would really like the lot # too. I just bought a box of 1000 yesterday, and have another 1/2 box in my reloading desk I have been using.
Up until 2 weeks ago, I had never had a FTF. But luck caught up to me with 2 bad CCI 250 Mag primers out of a box that I have shot about 800 from the same lot. The strikes did seem light compared to all previous rounds. I sure wish I would have measured them before throwing them out.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I hate to hear these kind of reports, but I can't help but wonder if some of these issues are due to things other than an actual "bad" primer. I have exclusively used CCI 450's and BR-2's in my match rifles since 2009 and I can honestly only recall one actual round that didnt go off......and this is over the course of thousands of rounds in matches and practice. Maybe I've just been lucky?

Yeah, I kind of agree, however, it is a man made item and they have been pushing things on the production lines, however.

The BR primers on the CCI line, have the best 'cup fillers' doing the work and at a slower pace for better inspection, but maybe things have changed?

19 years, 30,000+ rounds of pistol and rifle, CCI BRs and Standards, rifle and pistol, Remington rifle and pistol, Federal GMM and Standard rifle, Winchester Standard and Magnum rifle and pistol and I've only had one dud primer and I suspect that I didn't punch the old one out on a 223 Rem., so I'm 50-50 on that one, even.

And some of my primers I got from a buddy in '95 and they were in older CCI packaging, so I'm not talking all fresh stock, either.

 

[Unknown]

The lot number is G07U33.

I am a very meticulous reloader. I do initial case prep upon purchase that includes uniforming primer pockets, trimming to length, sizing, deburring flash holes. I anneal cases about every 3rd firing. After every firing, all cases are checked for overall length, and any that have lengthened are trimmed. All cases have the primer pockets cleaned, and cases are degreased using rubbing alcohol, then given at least 24 hours for the alcohol to evaporate off.

My rifle has about 3500 rounds through it, and is a Defiance machine defender action. This lot of primers has resulted in the first ever duds. Last week on the range, I tried striking one dud primer 6X, and it had an incredible firing pin dent in the primer, but it would not ignite. I brought the case home, and disassembled the round. I was unable to figure out why the primer wouldn't fire.

After the first couple of duds, I double checked the rifle's firing pin, cleaned any carbon out of the inside of the bolt, and reassembled. Everything there looked fine.

I have relegated any ammo with these primers to practice only.

I'm just not keen on going to the trouble to write to CCI if all they are going to do is blame me for the problem. I have about 500 of these primers left.