Do Primers Go Bad

[John@redmt]

Not to worry. I didn't take it that way. I took it as a short cut answer as to what the issues may be. We still don't have a positive answer.
If you want self promoting know it all replies check out some of the car forums.

 

[Oxobrianne 272]

Never criticise - only offer advice. No matter how long we've been shooting advice should always be welcome.

 

[John@redmt]

I never took any of the replies as criticism. I don't believe any of the responders meant them as criticism. The replies weren't taken as "I'm smarter than you". The one comment in question stated that it was a reloader (me) issue. Winchester suggested it could be my error. I learned quite a few pointers that I didn't know, even though they don't apply, it was free knowledge gained.
Like my tag line says"I don't know it all but I'm working on it".

 

[EWY]

Just a swipe of your finger across a primer can make them unreliable. Just a little of your skin oils or resizing lube can ruin one. I have primers I use that are close to 20 years old from a large buy i made. Theyve been in hot Texas, moderate New Mexico, cold Michigan, always dry but not temp regulated and theyve been fine. I'd assess your process more than anything.

I generally prime using the RCBS Ram Prime. I handle every primer with my fingers and I have never contaminated a primer. Once the primer pockets are uniform and the tool is set all of the primers are seated to the same depth, but it does require placing each primer one at a time. I do wash my hands first to ensure that I don't have case lube or anything on them, but I think the idea of killing primers by touching them is overblown.
YMMV

 

[kmilner65]

Oil, dirt, moisture, a lot of things can ruin primers, especially if you talk to the primer manufacturer that SELLS them. In practice, try to keep your hands clean but don't fret the small stuff and you will be ok.

 

[skipglo]

Never criticise - only offer advice. No matter how long we've been shooting advice should always be welcome.

And no matter how long I have been shooting 56 years and how long I have been reloading 46 years.... I'm still learning! Technology is changing at the speed of sound.... I'm changing at the speed of a rolling Rock on flat ground... still lots to learn.

 

[rrseahorse]

And no matter how long I have been shooting 56 years and how long I have been reloading 46 years.... I'm still learning! Technology is changing at the speed of sound.... I'm changing at the speed of a rolling Rock on flat ground... still lots to learn.

Great analogy for most of us.

 

[RYEWSKY25284]

In a pinch, one time I found my self very low on primers and use some 18-20 year old lot of Remington 9 1/2's . Was goin on a Wild Hog hunt. They were all ready oxidizing.
Loaded a 10 rounds went to the range to test fire them and to my surprise ...........BANG. They were all fine. I do make sure my hands are clean while reloading. Most of the time I use Nitril gloves. P.S. shot 3 hogs that weekend

 

[John@redmt]

Hah! I like the rock on flat ground,,,
I too have been shooting well over 50 years and started loading shotgun at near 50 years for competition and fun. With life changes I got out of the reloading until about a year or so with rifle reloads. With age come memory gaps. Some guys can tell you what shoes they wore to kindergarten. That ain't me! When I had a couple no fires I blew it off as "musta screwed something up" as when I started loading again with a newly acquired RCBS rock chucker that I got a smoking deal on, I crushed a few primers when I installed them with a hand primer. I got the feel for it and was quite satisfied with the results. Now nearly a year later, I start getting no fire and hang fires. My first thought was what did I screw up this time? I can't see any issues physical or chemical (oil ect.) that would cause a problem. Therefore the original question of "Do primers go bad?"

 

[skipglo]

You refreshed my memory here by repeatedly asking this question.. certainly haven't read all the replies...but has anyone asked you if you have checked your firing pin and spring? Might be that simple and not you or your primers. Check the depth of the impact on the shells primers that shot and the ones that didn't. I had to replace the spring on a rifle about 15 years ago for exactly this reason.

 

[John@redmt]

2 rifles, both new, primers actually hit harder on no fire than did fire. That led me to not properly seated primer. Possible,, but hard to tell now. It doesn't explain the hang fire.

 

[Kmccord]

I know a dirty firing pin and spring will cause you problems. I had a primer pierced and the next three rounds would not go off without a couple of tries. I had to disassemble the bolt and clean before it would begin working properly.

 

[skipglo]

And my final comment (honestly)...for the sake of not arguing...lets assume that a primer manufacturer produces ....what...10 million ittsy bittsy primers a shift...okay...5 million...and you had 10 fail...if not you and I don't think it is...and not...firing pins....then **** happens at the factory....buy 100 fresh primers...if they work... throw the other ones the heck out...or save them for July 4 th and throw em in a burn barrel! ( Stand back 20 ft)

 

[John@redmt]

Winchester has asked for them back. I'm waiting for their shipping box.