Is A Primer's "Sensitivity" A Real Concern?

[Dudedog]

Is A Primer's "Sensitivity" A Real Concern?

After thinking about it some more the answer is yes. If I don't talk nice to mine and tell them what good little primers they are they get their sensitive feelings hurt, then they misbehave and cause flyers which tend to hit no-shoots in matches

 

[Hondo 60]

Are Federal primers as sensitive as the many, many postings suggest?

In a word, NO.
Yes, they're a tad softer than CCI, Win etc.
But, they will not blow when you take normal precautions.
I've used 1,000s upon 1,000s of 'em & had no issues.

I prefer CCI, but over the years there've been times they weren't available.
Just today I was reloading with S&B spp.
Still have CCI, Winchester, Remington & S&B spp in my arsenal.

 

[Archie]

For most purposes, no.
Back when I was shooting PPC (Police Pistol Combat) a game using .38 Special 'prepared' target revolvers, Federal or Remington were preferred as they reputedly would fire with the lightest strike. Meaning one could weaken the mainspring on said revolver and it would still fire.

Actual duty revolvers used full weight springs and most anything would fire. I do not recall any pattern of brand so&so not firing. Unresponsive primers did happen, but not often and no particular company was noted.

I did a test run of Winchester, CCI and Wolf primers in .45 ACP cartridges. I do recall offhand the charge, but I did use W231, Unique and maybe Bullseye powder and all three primers. Same weight bullet (and maker) and same powder charge respective to type.
All went off. Chronograph showed some difference, but less a couple percent difference. Point of impact was not changed particularly. Subjective feeling of recoil, positive action function and so forth was the same. Remarkably boring.

I am delighted to say - so far - no explosions of primers have occurred in primer tools or loading. I am aware than the Lord looks after those of us who just don't know any better, but it looks good so far. Yes, I am watchful in such matters, but not to the point of superstition.

 

[JDTomba]

I've loaded many thousands of Federal Primers in my Lee press with RCBS Dies and have never had a problem yet. I've never noticed or cared about sensitivity in the weapon since I shoot Glocks and the hammer the bejesus out of primers anyway.

 

[lordpaxman]

I’m in the “haven’t had one light off yet while reloading” camp, and hope I never do. Just getting used to a new RL1100 and it was mangling 2-3 primers out of 100, there’s really no way to know this on this progressive other than the primer didn’t seat. Thankfully no loud noises other than a few choice words when the round exits the shell plate.
The closest I’ve ever come is on a MEC 650 jr, when you spill shot, it goes everywhere, including the primer station. I loaded a few primers with #8 shot in the primer punch. It just flattened the bb’s a bit. Good luck.

 

[Slamfire]

These energetic compounds are not predictable nor should they be taken for granted. You have to respect them as dangerous little buggers, who can hurt you, if you force things.

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

So it sounds like detonation risks are covered, but does anyone have insight regarding pressure signs? Been searching all morning for a specific analysis (looks like everyone just talks about rifles on the web). Been working on 10mm #9 loads and it's in a Glock with the "I gotta be original, look at me" firing pin. Match Federal primers. Never been able to find anything but Federal, so I have nothing to contrast. It sounded louder than the 135gr Sinterfire loads done with 231 and while that's expected, near the end of my ladder and before reaching published max it started making kinda new noises. Could not discern a difference in primer condition.

In summary, do all large Federal primers just get flatter to the point reading pressure from them isn't reliable? Might like a non Glock recommendation for 10mm, too lol. I wasn't even this nervous about 50Ae loads. Maybe I should use magnum primers...

 

[Blue68f100]

Primer have always been a poor indicator. Normally when you see over pressure signs on a primer your way over. Fed have always flatten before any other mfg. Normally if the primer still has a rounded edge your still good. What to look for is breach face imprint into the brass. This is a better indicator for pressure. If you have a crony it also can give you a clue.

 

[Bfh_auto]

For information purposes I have found if one can go from large primers to small, you don’t need the most sensitive primers. Revolvers that would only run with Federal LPP will run with other brands if I switch to using SPP.

As for blowing up stacks of primers separating them as much as possible would help but doesn’t ensure against one setting off another. No machine has them as close to one another as they are packaged, except the APS strips for RCBS equipment.

Would have liked to have seen a video of this one, I came across years ago. I thought I had already seen it all…

View attachment 1005948 View attachment 1005947 View attachment 1005949 View attachment 1005951

Don't drop you cigar ashes in the hopper...
I would bet that was a black powder ignition from static.

 

[71GTO]

Truth is no longer the dominant force in our culture.

rfwobby Sir, no better words could explain the very nature of the major problem with todays society!!!!!! "Truth is no longer the dominant force in our culture" rfwobbly 2021!!!