EYE OPENING PRIMER TEST

[105gr]

So I finally got a collet style bullet puller and let me say it was money well spent. I went through the gun cabinet and found some older 243's that I really didn't want to burn down the barrel but since I had a puller I pulled everything apart so I could have the brand new unfired brass. After everything was apart I proceeded to spend the primers in the chamber so I could clean/reload it. I was really suprised at what I found. The Remington ammo I had still had factory primers in them and popped well. The federal ammo that I had that I initially thought was factory cartridges were reloads. (silver primers and carbon on the inside of the shells). The consistency of those primers was terrible. Some would barely make a sound and others would shoot a 12" sparkle out of the gun. SOOO....I now realize the importance of good primers/components, and was wondering if anybody has ever personally done this test and what primers should I be buying to avoid this? Right now I'm using federal 210's.

 

[jonbearman]

I would say that the primers were either stored improperly before you got them or were allowed to get moist or something.I have primers out of the 1960's that are as hot as brand new.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I would say that the primers were either stored improperly before you got them or were allowed to get moist or something.I have primers out of the 1960's that are as hot as brand new.

+1, If the primers were reloads then there is no really good way to know what condition they may have been in. I don't believe Winchester primers are silver either.

 

[stool]

yep win did nickle coated primers in rifle up to 2000 ??? not sure..i have some of both..

I would say that the primers were either stored improperly before you got them or were allowed to get moist or something.I have primers out of the 1960's that are as hot as brand new.

+1, If the primers were reloads then there is no really good way to know what condition they may have been in. I don't believe Winchester primers are silver either.

 

[hmcsr]

Here is some interesting information on primers. Large primers follows this article.

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-small-rifle-primer-study.html
8)

 

[stool]

i would not call this an TEST. more casual observation. there was no control, no lot numbers no known age,




(changed experiment to test)

 

[hmcsr]

i would not call this an EXPERIMENT. more casual observation. there was no control, no lot numbers no known age,

Gee, where in this thread or blogspot is the word "EXPERIMENT" used?

 

[stool]

ok it was not TEST...for all the same reasons...
i'll change the word in my post

i would not call this an EXPERIMENT. more casual observation. there was no control, no lot numbers no known age,

Gee, where in this thread or blogspot is the word "EXPERIMENT" used?

 

[105gr]

I guess it wasnt really a test...eye opening primer OBSERVATION. What I am getting at is what primers should I be buying for reliable consistency?

 

[jonbearman]

New primers of any manufacture should be fine and your rifle and loads will tell you which one's it like's the best.If you read German's article on primer's it will tell you where to start.I run remingtons benchrest,cci's,tula, and federal when you can find some.

 

[amlevin]

The consistency of those primers was terrible. Some would barely make a sound and others would shoot a 12" sparkle out of the gun.

How much of that 12" sparkle was the result of powder that was still stuck to the carbon residue in the case or perhaps the carbon itself?

A lot of variables in the two batches of ammo. One was new and clean cases, the other reloaded without the case interiors being cleaned.

Also, the only "Test Instruments" were your ears and eyes. As others have said, not really a "Test" but more like just an observation. Interesting but not conclusive.

 

[105gr]

woof....tough crowd....

 

[amlevin]

woof....tough crowd....

Look at the bright side though. Your post wasn't being ignored 8)

 

[SBS]

Firing cases with only primers can cause the case to be shorter and therefore excessive headspace when reloaded and fired. The case gets driven in by the firing pin force and there is not sufficient pressure to make the case stretch back to the bolt face. May shorten case life.

 

[CatShooter]

Firing cases with only primers can cause the case to be shorter and therefore excessive headspace when reloaded and fired. The case gets driven in by the firing pin force and there is not sufficient pressure to make the case stretch back to the bolt face. May shorten case life.

It makes no difference - if the case is short, it will stretch when it is fired with a bullet... unless you take preventive measures.

 

[mr45man]

Firing cases with only primers can cause the case to be shorter and therefore excessive headspace when reloaded and fired. The case gets driven in by the firing pin force and there is not sufficient pressure to make the case stretch back to the bolt face. May shorten case life.

What :
John H.

 

[M-61]

Firing cases with only primers can cause the case to be shorter and therefore excessive headspace when reloaded and fired. The case gets driven in by the firing pin force and there is not sufficient pressure to make the case stretch back to the bolt face. May shorten case life.

I'm lost on this. "The firing pin force......" meaning the mechanical action of the pin striking the primer? Also a question: How much psi or cup is developed by a primer being fired in an empty case......and I mean in a case with the volume of the OP's case?

 

[amlevin]

How much psi or cup is developed by a primer being fired in an empty case....

Not enough to stretch the case. By the same token the firing pin hitting a primer won't move a case shoulder either.

Firing pins for military rifles deliver a whopping 64 Inch Ounces of force on a large rifle primer. Now how much does it take to move a cartridge shoulder in annealed bras with 16,000 PSI modulus of elasticity?

 

[105gr]

so ur sayin my brass is understretched now? L.O.L.

 

[philip140]

Sounds like as mentioned before there could have been some un-burnt powder stuck to the case walls that ignited causing a better firework display. Possibly.

Interesting none the less.

Phil