Recently I primed/loaded some cases. I noticed that some of the primers were VERY loose in the pockets. I mean, you could push them in with a finger, with a decent knock they would fall right out. About 1 in 10 cases.

The brass was only ONCE fired factory Norma.

Primers are Win LR. (see pic).

I was scratching my head a bit, when I found a pkt of the old WLR primers I used to use (on right in pic). I tried these and, walla, no problems. It seems to me the newer bread, no longer silver in colour either are to small.

Has any one else had this. Surely it just isnt me. What could happen it I tried a load with a loose primer like this?

[ 11-02-2003, 03:03: Message edited by: millsie67 ]

Gidday,
Try the new primers in some other brand of brass and see if they are loose also.
Seems a bit odd to me, I only use win primers and have never had a problem.

Regards Milosmate

[ 11-02-2003, 04:55: Message edited by: milosmate ]

I've never had a problem with Win primers, but I HAVE had problems with Norma brass and don't use it any longer. It has always seemed too soft for my taste...and as such is an easy brass to deform with hot loads. ESPECIALLY in magnum cases.

By the way, you didn't say what cartridge you are loading for.

I had the EXACT same problem using some of the new "blue-box" WLR primers. The buggers set with way toooo easy and way below the face of the case. Just banging them on the counter resulted in half of them falling out and these were in R-P .30-06 cases that had only been fired twice.

I neck-sized and decapped and re-primed with some older "white-box" WLR primers that I found stashed away. Again life was good and they set properly.

[ 11-02-2003, 05:40: Message edited by: Cariboo ]

I don't think it's a matter of bad primers. I think that you've gotten a batch that are slightly smaller than some others. I'd recommend setting them aside for use in other brass -- maybe new brass of another brand than what you've been using.

Although theoretically all large rifle primers have the same diameter, I've found that in practice some are slightly larger than others. So, if you find cases that have large primer pockets and the primer you are using doesn't fit snugly enough, see whether switching to another primer brand will get you a tighter fit.

The same, incidentally, with shotshell primers. There are minor variations in diameter from brand to brand.

[ 11-02-2003, 05:46: Message edited by: LE270 ]

.............or is it a plot on the part of Winchester to disarm the former British Commonwealth? Any Aussies or Indians having problems? LoL

Millsie, pard;

I'm having exactly the same situation with the newer (brass-colored) WW Large Rifle primers.

In Federal 7.62x39 brass, they seat with almost NO "feel" whatever, while CCI 200s seat with normal pressure in these cases. In new/unfired Norma .416 Rigby cases, the WWs are a much better fit, and in new WW .303 British brass they seem to seat with the normal amount of force.

The CCI 200s on hand here mike at .2105", and the new WWs are .210" on the nose. This doubtless explains the difference in fit, and NO, you are NOT imagining things, nor are your primer pockets expanded.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

I don't really wanna hear the "Blue Box" stuff guys cause I just bought a carton of them!

You're all PETA members and have been sent here to make sure I don't get any sleep tonight worrying about this.

I'll load some tomorrow and report back, OK.......except mine were Large Pistol.

Boy I hope you are wrong.

Slightly bigger primers is OK, and this is the CCI approach. I use them to extend the life of brass with slightly enlarged pockets. BUT, anybody selling primers that mike under .210 has screwed the pooch big time.

I am sorry to hear that tis is a Win problem as I really like their primers. Can one of you mike some of these? The are NOT safe...even if you don't get a face full of gas, they will fall out into your action and work like the proverbial monkey wrench.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bren Mk1:
[QB]Millsie, pard;

""I'm having exactly the same situation with the newer (brass-colored) WW Large Rifle primers.

In Federal 7.62x39 brass, they seat with almost NO "feel" whatever, while CCI 200s seat with normal pressure in these cases."" DITTO!! Add to that RP and Bell Cases They haven't fallen out on me but often you hardly feel them go in.No it's not a personal problem.

I bought a case of the WLR primers, and they are physically smaller. Had the same trouble with Remington's 9 1/2M too.
Started using Federal's 215's, as well as CCI's, and no more problems with loose primers.

It makes me mad, as I trashed about 100 rounds of LC brass before I tried the other brands.

Quality control at W-W has slipped over the years. I bought a dozen bags of brass this past summer, and I bet the reject rate was 15%. This was new brass in 348 Win. and 300 H&H. I noticed something else too, as the bullets were seated there was a noticable difference in neck tension. When all was said and done, I bet the reject rate was closer to 25%. I've got 1960's era "Super Speed" brass that is 10X better than the new stuff!

[ 11-02-2003, 07:43: Message edited by: packrat ]

Thanks so far. To be frank... it pis@#!!!s me off. Why did they change to the brass coloured ones. Basically means I WONT be using Win LR primers any more.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot Winchester. Good on ya!

I use only Federal primers and I have never had any problems...not a single one in roughly the last 30 years give or take a year or two I suppose...

i have found winchester primers to be smaller and after two firings i can push them in with my fingers cci and federals are tight as in my lapua brass by the way those complaining about winchester brass try some lapua brass ...im getting consistentley over 50 reloads per case in my 06
daniel

I recently bought some Winchester .22-250 brass and found the pockets very tight with CCI primers. Had a lot of trouble getting a few of them to seat adequately. After loading them 2-3 times they worked OK.

I haven't had any complaints with Winchester primers, but I have had some soft Norma cases, once fired, 7mm Mag. Soft as butter, and the pockets expanded real fast, even R-P brass was better than the Norma stuff. Found that Norma 10mm brass was too soft, too. I know it's supposed to be good stuff, but my experience doesn't back that up.

Seems to me you answered your own question, if another batch of primers worked O.K. in the same cases!!