friesepferd

can handling primers make them less likely to fire?
i ask because of everyone i know, nobody has ever had problems with winchester primers. just recently got out first press and my fiance had some problems with a few not going off
im thinking it may be because he had to handle each and every one (left my lee safety prime at school)
any ideas?

farronwolf

Nope, I have never had a problem from touching them, I touch each and every one of my primers that I put into the rounds, and have never had any problem. I have used CCI, Federal and Remington, but never Winchester.

Maybe he is keeping his hands too clean when reloading. He should have a nice layer of powder residue,lube if using lead, and fresh powder, etc, basically his fingers should be a nice grey color. That is what mine usually end up looking like and I have had no problems.

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Pete Zaria

Too many possibilities...

It's rare, but you could have just gotten a bad batch of primers.

Maybe they're not seated properly.

Maybe that brass has some burring or something in the primer pocket - is it new brass?

Maybe the primers got damp somehow, or were stored in an area with high humidity.

And yes, maybe just maybe the oils off your fingers were enough but I kind of doubt it.

Just my opinion, from my limited knowledge of reloading :-p

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

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friesepferd

hmm.
maybe he just needs a new firing pin?
although he has never had problems with store bought ammo

1911NM

Just don't lick 'em. Unless one's fingers are unusually oily, would look more at light strikes due to not seating deep enough, dirty firing pin channel, etc.

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P95Carry

True - handling really should not be an issue - oil of course, big potential enemy but the usual hand soiling is no biggie IMO. I cannot blame handling ever as I recall for any misfires.

Light seating and poor FP strike certainly as a combo can cause trouble - tho with revo ammo you'll usually know because cylinder won't close!

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NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

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is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

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friesepferd

primer should be perfectly flush correct?
i dont think thats a problem. they look good to me

fatboy97

I only touch one if they mis-feed.

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HotGuns

Oil from the finger can ruin a primer.
Its best not to touch them unless you have to.

Like others here,I think that more than a couple of primers not going off is a sign of something else.

Winchester primers are about the easiest primers to set off. Have you tumbled the rounds?

Its possible that a grain of walnut or corncob was in the primer pocket, in effect cushioning the primer strike. You need to check that.

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Colin

Proper seating is supposed to set up the anvil of the primer if I recall correctly. I have CCI small primers that give me a lot of headaches, yet their large primers are fine. Also check how well you are getting sticks from the firing pin.