Guys,

I have just run into the same problem the second time. I have couple of three thousand WLR primers from the old days (nickel plated). I have used them for years in an M1, an M1A, an SIG AMT, a Springfield Sporter, CZ 550 American, and a Remington 7400. Never had a problem of any kind in 308, 30-06, 308 Norma Mag and 9,3x62.

I started having problems with a .308 Savage a year or so ago ... the rifle would mark the primers, but they'd sometimes not go bang. Figured that the firing pin fall must be just a little light so I tried CCIs and they worked fine.

Ran into the exact same problem with a VZ.24 recently build in 9,3x62. Except more than half of the ammo would fail to fire. Same ammo in the CZ 550 American works just fine thank you. In fact, the rounds that would not fire in the VZ.24 always go bang in the CZ.

So ... do I need to investigate the firing pin exposure and spring in the VZ.24 ... or do I just use CCI primers? Are they that much more sensitive than the WLR's?

I`d suspect the spring. You can switch primers but a weak spring is a fault I`d want fixed.

If it fails in one gun but fires in another, firing pin protrusion and spring strength are definately highly suspect.

Before I would dig into the firing pins though, make sure you are seatng the primers properly. The cup needs to be seated at the bottom of the primer hole and then slightly compressed so it comes in contact with the anvil inside. If the primer is not flat, it probably is not compressed all the way. I have a Lee hand priming tool, and I find it hard to compress them properly with it since its has so little leverage. I also run into consistancy problems priming on the progressive press. My RCBS bench primer does a nice job, giving me good feedback and the long handle gives lots of leverage.

Any chance its a headspace issue? Full length resizing with a short die coupled with deep chambers could cause this problem, especialy if the primers are not fully seated.

Josh.

Headspace has been checked on both rifles. Both rifles do it with new, neck sized only brass. Does exactly the same with fired brass. Cases were primed on a rockchucker with an RCBS priming die ... very flat.