I have two different 62s that are having the same misfire problem - slight dent on first try, then fires on the second try. I am using WLRs and both rifles have new firing pins. I can not see any raised primers after seating. I am thinking that the problem may be my Lee shellholders. I have used the Lee hand primer and my Lyman press to seat primers for both rifles - same results.

What shellholders and primer seating systems are y'all using? I have this posted on the Reloading Forum as well.

What rifles are you useing?

Is the problem only from one batch of primers ??

One rifle is a Heym with a slight headspace issue - I fireform for it. The other is a custom on a Model 70 action.

I'll have to check on the primers to see if it's only one lot. I'll get back to you on this.

What are your components?
I was having some occasional misfires with my new 9.3x62, I asked on this forum and several were insistent that it was improper firing pin protrusion, even slandered my gunsmith. My hunch was something else.
As it turns out it seems my Graf brass was somewhat undersized and was creeping forward upon firing pin strike sometimes resulting in a misfire.
Now that my brass has been once fired I have not had a single problem.
Maybe yours is something different?
I was using Graf brass, CCI primers and seated them with an RCBS hand priming tool. Same primers and method as I have used countless times and never a mis fire until the 9.3 loads. My firing pin was leaving good deep dents on all that fired.

If you have a headspace problem then that will cause primer failure unless or until the case is fireformed to the chamber as the firing pin will punch the case forward and not fully penetrate as it should, otherwise you need a stronger firing pin spring...

I have seen similar problems with the old nickeled WLR primers. They seem to have a harder cup than CCI 200's or Federals. Have had to extend the firing pin exposure on a Savage, and put new springs in a Mauser and an M70 Winchester.

I usually test a new rifle with fully sized cases loaded only with a primer, and then work with it until I always get the bang on the first fall. BUT ... I always have the headspace checked first!

Mike, that is interesting; many of the misfires were on old nickeled WLRs.

One thing I have found it that if missadjusted the pin to eject spent primers and it´s rod can actually dent the primer holes bottom, making it hard to seat primers correct.

To adress that one must adjust the die correctly.

In your case.

Try following:

Clean primer pockets well.

Lube hand primer slightly in the primer arm

Change primers

Test different brass

The reason for all this is to elliminate your reloading protocol as being the culprit and finding the source.

Best regards Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:
I have two different 62s that are having the same misfire problem - slight dent on first try, then fires on the second try. I am using WLRs and both rifles have new firing pins. I can not see any raised primers after seating. I am thinking that the problem may be my Lee shellholders. I have used the Lee hand primer and my Lyman press to seat primers for both rifles - same results.

What shellholders and primer seating systems are y'all using? I have this posted on the Reloading Forum as well.

Antlers:

I use Winchester large rifle primers and Norma brass and shoot them through my CZ. I also use a Lee shellholder and a Lee hand primer and never had a problem. Maybe it is indeed a headspace issue.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Antlers:

I use Winchester large rifle primers and Norma brass and shoot them through my CZ. I also use a Lee shellholder and a Lee hand primer and never had a problem. Maybe it is indeed a headspace issue.

Dave

Dave, what number shellholder do you use?

Antlers,

My 9,3x62 CZ American never gave me any problems with any primer! Had the problem with a Savage and a Mauser. All using ammo loaded with exactly the same equipment at the same time. I did use an RCBS press priming tool ... the one that fits in the place of a die. Always set the primers just a bit depressed below the top the primer pocket.

It really was the WSR primers in my case. All of the rifles would fire CCI 200s or Federals.

Antlers,

My $0.02 worth.......

I had the same EXACT same problem, although with only a single 9.3x62 rifle which is a custom Lothar Walther barrel on a L/H Mauser action. Had words with the Gunsmith (whose work has always been 100%) and he was surprised to say the least.

The solution was a combination of Snellstrom & Ray's responses above and I ended up having to eat a plateful of Crow & pay for his Beers (as a way of making good my load of unfounded accusations!) at a Drive Hunt after he solved the issue for me.

I've a box full of Shellholder (RCBS) and two complete sets of Lee Shellholders. Measured all of them and ended up using the thinnest of all (a Lee Shellholder) which I now use exclusively with this Die Set and re-adjusted my Dies (after countless years of relaoding had managed to create by headspace pushing the shoulder back - even though it was just a tad; Yes, Martha, you never stop learning) and the issue was resolved.

Anyway, the issue turned out to be my mistake from using a differnet shellholder each time and self-induced headspace with the Die adjustment.

Good Luck