300 WSM not firing

[SidecarFlip]

What primers are you using? Some have harder cups than others FYI.

 

[Gater]

What primers are you using? Some have harder cups than others FYI.

I had some that where federal match primers that where labeled 5.56 they wouldn't work in my .223 bolt gun very good about 1in 10 wouldn't work called federal gave them the lot number they claimed that because it wasn't a 5.56 that was the problem bought a couple thousand CCI benchrest no more problems the only difference between 5.56 and .223 is case thickness but that was the answer I got

 

[James H Wall]

I've been reloading for quite some time. Not a lot just enough to hunt and such. I have ran into a problem that I've never had before. I loaded some 300wsm. I left them a little long (over mag length) so I had to load them by hand. I attempted to shoot 6 rounds. None of them fired. The primer had what appeared to be good firing pin marks but not ignition. I used some older primers. About 3 years old. I thought that was my problem. I got home. Pulled all the bullets. Then I decided to see if the primers were good. I shot all six in my rifle with just the primer. No powder or bullet. They all fired. Any idea what it could have been?

I had exact same problem in a 6.5 Creedmoor, shoot factory ammo great, run fired cases thru press full length size, tried several, some fire some would not, took the bolt apart and cleaned the spring and entire assembly, cured it to about 90%, my rifle was a cheap Axis, I called Savage and as soon as I said I had shot reloads thru it they almost hung up on me, said none of there weapons are to have reloads fired thru them and if so the warranty was no good, so I did not trust the gun 100% so I ordered me a Reming 700 AAC-SD in 6.5 Creedmoor and all my reloads fire no problem, did a search on internet and the Axis has hundred of links with people having same problem, I guess when they said my warranty was no good because I shot my own ammo it is a way to get out of honoring the warranty. Other gun manufactures may have same policy , I do not know.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I had exact same problem in a 6.5 Creedmoor, shoot factory ammo great, run fired cases thru press full length size, tried several, some fire some would not, took the bolt apart and cleaned the spring and entire assembly, cured it to about 90%, my rifle was a cheap Axis, I called Savage and as soon as I said I had shot reloads thru it they almost hung up on me, said none of there weapons are to have reloads fired thru them and if so the warranty was no good, so I did not trust the gun 100% so I ordered me a Reming 700 AAC-SD in 6.5 Creedmoor and all my reloads fire no problem, did a search on internet and the Axis has hundred of links with people having same problem, I guess when they said my warranty was no good because I shot my own ammo it is a way to get out of honoring the warranty. Other gun manufactures may have same policy , I do not know.

They all do but not for the handloads themselves but because of overpressure situations from 'slob' loading. (only way I can describe an undercharge or overcharge).

 

[SidecarFlip]

I had some that where federal match primers that where labeled 5.56 they wouldn't work in my .223 bolt gun very good about 1in 10 wouldn't work called federal gave them the lot number they claimed that because it wasn't a 5.56 that was the problem bought a couple thousand CCI benchrest no more problems the only difference between 5.56 and .223 is case thickness but that was the answer I got

Only ones I have found with hard cups are Winchester. You might want to check the firing pin protrusion and makes sure the internals of the bolt are clean and lubed with a non gumming light oil like Rem oil. I have excellent results with Federals but not Federal Match. Only difference I can discern is price. Match primers cost more and I see no benefit in everyday useage.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I repeat. Skip the voodoo and made sure your primers are seated.

 

[EWY]

I repeat. Skip the voodoo and made sure your primers are seated.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Rick Richard]

Keep in mind. if primers are not seated all the way, they may not chamber because of incorrect headspace. That is why I believe it is a firing pin spring issue.

Just a thought, but have you ever popped a primer due to excessive pressure?

 

[aushunter1]

I had exact same problem in a 6.5 Creedmoor, shoot factory ammo great, run fired cases thru press full length size, tried several, some fire some would not, took the bolt apart and cleaned the spring and entire assembly, cured it to about 90%, my rifle was a cheap Axis, I called Savage and as soon as I said I had shot reloads thru it they almost hung up on me, said none of there weapons are to have reloads fired thru them and if so the warranty was no good, so I did not trust the gun 100% so I ordered me a Reming 700 AAC-SD in 6.5 Creedmoor and all my reloads fire no problem, did a search on internet and the Axis has hundred of links with people having same problem, I guess when they said my warranty was no good because I shot my own ammo it is a way to get out of honoring the warranty. Other gun manufactures may have same policy , I do not know.

Any rifle brand voids the warranty of your rifle if you are shooting non factory ammunition!!

It is what it is.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Bolt Action: When you have a primer that's not seated you may have a circular rub mark on the primer. You can feel a primer that's not seated. It's an ancient reloading trick to spot high primers. Run your finder across the primer in your loaded round. The very best way to avoid this problem is to use a primer seater separate from your press. I use a vintage RCBS tool that is no longer in production. I used Less's until the lids rotted.

Added: If it's bad enough you do need extra force to close the bolt. You can tell something is not right by the bolt closing hard. It feels similar as if the bullet is slightly jamming into the rifling as the bolt is closed.

 

[mtorrey53]

Thanks for all the advice. I use a cheap lee hand priming tool and Remington primers. I went back and seated the primers again and noticed they all were not seated fully. I believe this is was my problem. If all goes well I'll be able to make it to the range today.

 

[Zymurgist]

I had this problem because I was seating the primers too deep with a hand primer tool. The firing pin would dent the primer but not deep enough to push in into the anvil.

 

[Mowgli Terry]

mtorrey53: Do not despair. Those of us who suggested re-seating primers did not read about it in books. It's one of the "yet's" in reloading. It has not happened yet. Always start simple when stuff don't work.

 

[mtorrey53]

Update. I seated the primers deeper on 3 rounds then loaded them again. I also loaded 6 others. They all went bang. Found a great load too. Thanks for all the help.