Failure to fire.. bad primers?

[Strbrd22]

Loaded up some 260 with Federal gold medal primers. The primers were from about 2018 but always kept in a sealed ammo box . Had about every third one not go ‘boom.’ I think I’m getting a decent primer strike and even attempted to fire one of the rounds a second time.. no joy. Is it common to have a ‘bad batch’ of primers or am I missing something? Thanks!

 

[CK1.0]

The primers probably aren't seated well enough.

PCPS Tool. Sale Includes Professionally Designed Storage Box w/ Lid AND 2 PRIMER TUBES with spare Pick Up Tips – Ugly Reloading USA

 

[Rocketvapor]

Too much bump causing soft hits?

 

[Strbrd22]

The primers probably aren't seated well enough.

PCPS Tool. Sale Includes Professionally Designed Storage Box w/ Lid AND 2 PRIMER TUBES with spare Pick Up Tips – Ugly Reloading USA

Can you expand on ‘well enough?’ I’m using an RCBS primer and have been using it for years with no issues

 

[CK1.0]

Can you expand on ‘well enough?’ I’m using an RCBS primer and have been using it for years with no issues View attachment 8492750

Well, if it's not that, then it's probably too much shoulder bump like @Rocketvapor mentioned.

 

[Strbrd22]

Well, if it's not that, then it's probably too much shoulder bump like @Rocketvapor mentioned.

Interesting. I’ll look into it- these are all factory Lapua brass. Thanks!

 

[Rocketvapor]

Measure fired vs duds.
Gently transfer one unfired primer to a fired case.
Chamber and fire the primer.

 

[sloporsche]

they look like light hits ,try the ammo in another weapon or other ammo in the same weapon weapon . What is the firing pin protrusion measurement compared to spec ?

 

[Rocketvapor]

to me they look like deep enough hits, primer didn't fire.
Verify primer in a fired case.
Look at pin under magnification. Clean bolt.

 

[spife7980]

Measure the primer heights and the primer pocket depths and ensure that you are putting them all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.

Measure your headspace and ensure you don’t have enough space for the round to slide forward and absorb the strike without detonating. The firing pin can just push the case forwards into empty space instead of denting the primer deep enough to go off. You can crush a primer slowly alright, it needs speed/momentum to go off.

Take the bolt apart and ensure that it’s clean and that there isn’t grease or lube in the firing pin channel that’s dried and gummed up.

Measure how much the firing pin sticks out of the bolt face when it’s uncocked/in the fired state. Should be .040-.060 or so.

Measure the back of the firing pin in relation to the bolt shroud in cocked and fired states to ensure that your trigger/action combo is giving you enough fall distance for an adequate smack. Should be at least .240

 

[918v]

Those look like light strikes to me. Maybe your headspace is too short and the bolt isn’t rotating all the way into battery? That will interfere with the FP strike.

 

[Doom]

The easiest way to determine if its the primer is to try firing a second time. If it goes then it likely not seated deep enough to push the anvil against the compound. It it doesn't the either the primer is and or you have have too much headspace.

I agree these look like light strikes.

 

[db2000]

Measure the primer heights and the primer pocket depths and ensure that you are putting them all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.

Measure your headspace and ensure you don’t have enough space for the round to slide forward and absorb the strike without detonating. The firing pin can just push the case forwards into empty space instead of denting the primer deep enough to go off. You can crush a primer slowly alright, it needs speed/momentum to go off.

Take the bolt apart and ensure that it’s clean and that there isn’t grease or lube in the firing pin channel that’s dried and gummed up.

Measure how much the firing pin sticks out of the bolt face when it’s uncocked/in the fired state. Should be .040-.060 or so.

Measure the back of the firing pin in relation to the bolt shroud in cocked and fired states to ensure that your trigger/action combo is giving you enough fall distance for an adequate smack. Should be at least .240

I’ve had primers go off in my rbcs hand loader tool squeezing too hard into crimped pocket probably. That’ll wake you up.

 

[Strbrd22]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[Rangemaster]

Too much head space, seat your bullets a little furture out.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Being this is an "ALMOST" bolt gun
Fired cases should be at zero headspace.
Measure Datum (CBTS) of fired versus duds.
IF there is a difference of maybe 0.004" or more Headspace is likely your issue.
(can be solved by JAM).
If primer is moved to a fired case and it goes off the primer was good.
I feel knowing what is causing this before loading long is better.

Let us know some results.

 

[straightshooter1]

Loaded up some 260 with Federal gold medal primers. The primers were from about 2018 but always kept in a sealed ammo box . Had about every third one not go ‘boom.’ I think I’m getting a decent primer strike and even attempted to fire one of the rounds a second time.. no joy. Is it common to have a ‘bad batch’ of primers or am I missing something? Thanks!View attachment 8492743View attachment 8492741View attachment 8492742

Like some other's have said, it looks to me like light strikes, which could be from a not so good seating depth of the primer and/or the headspace is too much and/or the firing pin protrusion isn't enough (make sure the firing pin is clean unobstructed).

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I had this happen to a bunch of Prime (Norma) .260 ammo a few years ago. It was with a last of the Remington 700s before bankruptcy. They started using a different firing pin assembly and it always seemed weak. It got to the point where it ruined several primers. I ended up replacing the assembly with a NOS unit and solved the problem.

 

[Strbrd22]

Penance.