[JimGun]

In the past I have always used CCI Large pistol primers for loading my .45 ACP, but using what I could get I used Winchester primers for the first time.
In the first 50 I shot 3 did not fire.http://www.thehighroad.org/images/smilies/banghead.gif
Today when I two clips, 13 rounds each, I had one in each clip that didn't fire. I put the bullet back in and the second time the firing pin hit it, it fired. Is this a primer problem or could it be my pistol - a Springfield XD? I would appreciate any advice.

[Mags]

Sounds like a primer seating problem. The first time you fired the firing pin seated the primer the second time it went off.

[ReloaderFred]

Make sure you're seating the primers to the bottom of the primer pocket. If you're able to measure the depth of the primer, after it's seated, it should be approximately .003" to .004" below flush with the base of the case.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[ar10]

It's definitely not the XD. It sounds like you have a seating problem.

[ants]

With no other information available, I too would say it's a seating problem.

[ArchAngelCD]

I have to agree with the others. I can tell you I've used CCI primers for a long time but for the past 2 years or so I've been using only Winchester Large Pistol Primers and not one has failed to go bang in all that time. I use them for all my .45 Auto and .45 Colt ammo. I'm also using Winchester Small Pistol Primers, no problems with them either.

[Byron]

Use to have some misfires with CCI SP for my 38. I now clean each primer pocket and use the RCBS universal primer and have had no more problems. Byron

[loadedround]

How many times have your cases been reloaded without ever cleaning your primer pockets? Could your misfires be the result of residue buildup in your primer pockets? I second what all the others have stated about your primers not being fully seated. I have used Winchester primers exclusively for over 40 years and never had this problem. BTW, I've used CCI primers when I couldn't get Winchester's and again no problem. :confused:

[The Bushmaster]

I'm not needed here. It's been answered and quite well too...

[Tim the student]

If you're able to measure the depth of the primer, after it's seated, it should be approximately .003" to .004" below flush with the base of the case.

How can this be reliably and accurately measured? Not trying to sharpshoot you, looking for a technique.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've used both brands w/no problems from either. many K's of Win.
did have 2 out a brick of CCI LRP's fail to fire further investigation revealed no anvil in the cup!
use a machinist's pocket rule as a straightedge across the case head you should see daylight between the primer and ruler edge when held to a light.

[mkl]

How can this be reliably and accurately measured? Not trying to sharpshoot you, looking for a technique.

Either a digital or dial caliper will measure depth.

Use the depth measurement spud on the end of the caliper. Google for depth measurement directions, although it is obvious if you just play with your caliper for a minute.

Just be sure the contact point of the depth gage is in the center of the primer and not touching the case head.

[The Bushmaster]

Oh for pete sake...SEAT the dang things! Don't prissy seat them SEAT them! To heck with measuring them SEAT them!!! Even if you flatten the primers just a bit, it won't hurt them...

I get a kick out of those that blame the primers for a failure to fire. I and a bunch of others, have never had a primer failure that wasn't our fault in the first place. In my case. I have NEVER had a primer fail to go off...And that's over 23 years...

[Tim the student]

Use the depth measurement spud on the end of the caliper

Thanks. :p It was so obvious I was overlooking it. I appreciate it.

[floydster]

Amazing.

[mkl]

To Tim: Glad I could help. We all have been there at one time or another. There is no such thing as a dumb/stupid question on this forum, only ignorant ones (in the true sense of the word), and all of us reloaders were pretty damn ignorant when we first started this adventure!

To Bushmaster: Calm down. You just need a little more experience. 23 years is just a beginning. Keep reloading -- check back again after 45 and let us know if you have ever had a primer failure. Personally, I've had two legitimate bad primers in the last 45 years! :D

To floydster: And your contribution is?

Be gentle folks; we were all newbies at some point.

[floydster]

Well, after 54 years of handloading I guess it is hard for me to comprehend
on how difficult it is to seat a primer.
My apology goes out to all concerned------------but.

Floydster::rolleyes:

[JimGun]

I certainly thank everyone who contributed. Since I had never had this problem before, I didn't really think that the problem could be me.

[prickett]

I had exactly the same problem with my XD and Winchester primers. The Real Mags is completely correct - the primer isn't fully seated. First strike seats it, the second fires it. A bit more pressure when seating primers and the problem was solved.

[The Bushmaster]

No problem mkl. I have just been fasinated as to the GREAT fear of those little dinky primers that are, for the most part, fully encased in the priming die (Auto-prime II) or shell holder and case. About the only danger, if one goes "POP" is filling yer pants...:D

With a little luck. I will check back after I get 45 years at this habi...Aah...Hobby. Of course I'll be 88 years old by then...:D

[ar10]

The only primers I ever had a problem with were the Remington SPP's. The CCI's and Win SPP's seated find but the Remington's started falling out when I was seating the bullets.

[rscalzo]

Use the depth measurement spud on the end of the caliper

great tip. Never thought of that !!!

As far as firmness in seating, At one time or another I've crushed them and nothing happened. they still worked.

[paperkilr]

I have only been reloading since the 80's but usually shoot over 10,000 rounds of handgun ammo annually. It wasn't until this year that I had to experiment with other kinds of primers because of the shortages. Basically Winchester stopped plating there primers (maybe cost). This platting made the primer more sensitive, like the Federal primers that no one can seem to get. Also the size is just a little bit smaller .0003-.001 so in used brass that was shot at full pressures the primer may seat loose.

I once got to a shoot and opened the bag of reloaded ammo only to find that most of the Winchester primers had vibrated out of the used brass from just the drive over! ( no I don't have square tires on the car either) Also other shooters have had the primers fall out under recoil of the firearm when in the magazine (sorry it's not a clip)

I made a Go / No-Go gauge to check the primer pockets and the ones that don't pass I use in training. I have yet to have another primer fall out. But I did have to make a longer firing pin to cure the light primer strike problem when running a 1.5 pound trigger and Winchester primers.

Also on my XD I had to replace the firing pin spring with a reduced power from Wolf to get good ignition.

Hope this helps.