WB
Twice in my 40 years of loading have I had primer issues
Thursday, August 20, 2020, 06:34

Once with CCI Small Rifle primers which they make millions as they have a sizeable military contract, likely the world over. I never nailed it down but I was working with the .240 GNR and seeing pressure signs way, way too early. This was back during that big primer scare several year's back. Companies were running 24/7 and we shot what we got. I was loading beginning 6mm TCU load data in the more capacious .240 GNR case and getting some primer cratering when I KNEW it was not right. A swap to some Remington Small Rifle BR primers (I was blessed to find them - #7-1/2) fixed the issue. As far as I could tell it was that one single lot. Maybe the temper on the cups was different. A freak incident. Late ones are fine. Simply fantastic cartridge too.

The other was some strange PMC (Eldorado)Large Pistol "Heavy Metal Free" primers. I bought a large cashe from a friend, also during that shortage. Some Small Pistol versions too but they were perfectly fine. We were so glad to find any primers at all I didn't care at the time. The LP gave me misfires. They all popped but I got squibs! I even experimented with different faster burning pistol powders, namely HERCO and still got ping/pow results in .45 Colt. I saw huge swings in velocity, some went supersonic and others I could see the bullet like a BB gun. Totally crazy! It's not the powder either. It really is strange. I still have a bunch and will test with Bullseye next. The primers were supposedly made for shooting indoor ranges and minimized exposure to "heavy metals" during firing. I'm hoping to find a use for them to finally use them up.

Two lots of primers out of who knows how many in 40 years is not bad. Of course odd adventure follows me around, I've come to expect it, even embrace it to gain knowledge.

I have a box of 1960's CCI Large Pistol Primers that fell off a bench onto my shop floor about 3 yrs ago. I have not picked them up but will get on my hands and knees to reach them soon. It's not a climate controlled area either. I used the other box of them to fire forming cases and every single one popped fine. I have no doubt when I fish those others out they will too. Some folks fret over every little thing, I'd go nuts doing that. I go nuts listening to them worry over things. Man no one gets out alive, enjoy life and let your freak flag fly. Be yourself.