Took 2 trigger pulls to fire 1st handload attempt???

[wakmeister]

well really dissapointed--while waiting for equipment I found a shop not to far away and went with the owners reccomendation on loading for my 380 acp S&W bodyguard and Bersa thunder 380--bougt Zapalky primers 4,4 sp boxer--used cast lead rn 118-20 grn, (by shop owner) and 2.0-2.1grn Bullseye powder--loaded only 28 rounds in the shop--went out today to get camera card (turkey) and decided to try a clip of what I had done---all 7 shots took a double pull of the trigger to discharge, feed was fine --never experienced a ftf on factory ammo, (about 200 rounds)--any insight would be appreciated--I dont have any more of the cast bullets to load and dont want to, looking for 95 grn bullets (100max), owner sold me Bullseye powder, hopefully It will be ok, anyway not opened and he would probably exchange if I should be using something else--have not found CCI sp primers inthe area--dont know what the problem is--really a complete novice and old to boot--thanks for any comments:banghead:

 

[AK47TIM]

Sounds Like the primers are not seated completely to me.

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[wgaynor]

I think you're primers weren't seated all the way. The first attempt at firing, simply seated them where they should be. Then the second time firing them, all was good.

 

[rondog]

Primers probably weren't seated all the way. First strike was absorbed by the primer being driven to fully seated, second strike - the primer couldn't move so it fired properly.

Make sure there isn't dirt or carbon in the primer pocket when you put in new primers, and be sure to seat them all the way. A primer should be just below the rim, not flush with the rim and never higher than the rim.

Looks like we were all typing at the same time.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Likely it's a high primer.

 

[PhotoBiker]

What did you use to seat the primers?

Press or hand tool?

 

[gamestalker]

You need to seat your primers to -.004" below the case head. About 99% of all mis-fires in the reloading world occur because the primers were not seated deep enough, very evident when a second FP strike is successful. The initial FP strike just drives the primer deeper into the pocket, which cushions the impact.

Although there are other possible causes, OAL too long, which causes the bullet to rest on the lands. When the F.P. strikes the primer it drives the bullet into the lands, thus absorbing the FP impact.

Brass that is too short can be another cause because rimless cases head space on the mouth of the case. When brass is too short it doesn't allow for a deep enough FP strike.


GS

 

[towerdog]

you need to do a visual inspection of each round you load. measure your OAL and the primer needs to be seated properly. Your reloading manuals like the ABC of reloading and many other will give you a great guide to referr to.

 

[ljnowell]

Those are S&B primers, I have used them from time to time, and have a few bricks here now, they are good primers, no issues. If it went bang the second time, its a high primer(as has been posted several times above).

 

[wakmeister]

thanks for all the replies--I have 21 yet unfired--will head back to the shop tomorrow and try to seat properly--My Lee 4 stage turret press ships this week and the dies etc probably the week after, hope to find some bullets by then, get the right formulation for-90 - 95-100 grn loads using Bullseye?--you folks are a great resource and are to be commended--

 

[wakmeister]

Photo Biker I used a press to seat the primer, the press was on a stool and not very stable, loaded bullet on the down stroke and inserted primer and up stroke was wobbly--

 

[david_r]

If you only have 21 of these, just go fire them. I wouldn't recommend trying to seat primers further on a loaded round

 

[orionengnr]

Sentence.
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Please.

 

[beatledog7]

I agree 100% with david_r. Please do not try to reseat primers on loaded rounds. Just shoot them.

 

[wakmeister]

david-r, orionegnr, beatledog7---thanks --will load the up into the bersa thunder its at least a da-sa so wont have to tug on the S&W 15# trigger twiest--thanks again to all-

 

[BYJO4]

I think you made the right decision to fire the remaining rounds. While you can try to seat the primer deeper, there is always the chance of a detonation.

 

[sean eady]

Sentence.
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Please.

Excellent contribution to the thread.

 

[ranger335v]

Took 2 trigger pulls to fire 1st handload attempt???

Maybe you didn't pull the trigger hard enough the first time? :banghead:

 

[dragon813gt]

Excellent contribution to the thread.

It actually is. I stopped reading the initial post very early. Was only reading the replies to see what the consensus on the failure was. It takes no extra time to type out a post in a readable format.


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[JSmith]

While you can try to seat the primer deeper, there is always the chance of a detonation.

How much of a chance? I ask because I do that from time to time. When I prime, I do batches of 50-100 at a time, and after priming I set each case on a smooth metal surface to see if it wobbles. If it does (because the primer's a bit high), I'll put it back in the press and mash it again. I don't jam it, I push on the press handle firmly and steadily until it's gone as far as it can.

 

[kingmt]

Sentence.
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Please.

iTS THE INTER NET GET OVER IT,

I'm not telling you to but I reseat primers. Did a couple of books of factory stuff not long ago.

 

[floydster]

Next time seat your primers with authority and your problems will be solved.

Smokeyloads

 

[rcmodel]

after priming I set each case on a smooth metal surface to see if it wobbles.

That really proves nothing.

A properly seated primer is below flush with the case.
You can coon-finger them as you seat them and tell if they are:
Sticking up (Bad).
Flush with the case head (Bad).
Or below flush (Good).

rc

 

[PhotoBiker]

Photo Biker I used a press to seat the primer, the press was on a stool and not very stable, loaded bullet on the down stroke and inserted primer and up stroke was wobbly--

I may have parsed that wrong, because I can't picture the bullet getting seated before the primer as the powder would run out the flash hole...

As for seating the primers on the press, I do this for my rifle loads. Focus on one thing next time, just seating the primers. Each time you seat on, pull the shell and inspect the primer, make sure it is seated. You will soon find out what it feels like when everything is working properly, so much so that you will know when one isn't seated properly.

As for securing the press, find the most stable location you can. If you have access to a table and don't wish to drill holes, mount the press to a board and clamp the board to the table. You can't "feel the press" if the press isn't secured properly.

 

[beatledog7]

My Hornady LNL SS doesn't always succeed in seating primers fully, so I use a hand primer. I like the control it provides and the feel of the primer going snugly into place.

Sometimes when I seat a bullet into a case that's full of powder, such as the .44Mag 2400 loads I build, the primer can be pushed out slightly (.002-4 maybe) by the process. I let that go unless it's just really high. My Redhawk doesn't seem to mind.