Hey all,

Just loaded my first rounds for a .223. Got to the range today. I could hear the firing pin hit, then a brief pause, then the round would discharge. I would appreciate any comments. Here is the background.

Really wanted to reload some rounds, but didn't have any of the proper equipment for small rifle rounds. Everyone was out of small rifle primers. Had some CCI's my brother gave me that might be 15-20 years old. Didn't have a small rifle primer pocket brush so I loaded them without cleaning the pocket. My primer seater was for large primers only, but seemed to seat the primer very close to flush with the case bottom. Used a new bottle of IMR 3031. Bought Lee dies as they were the only ones left in the area. The rifle shoots factory loads just fine. Only 3 out of 20 rounds actually fired immediately when the primer was struck. 1 round did not fire at all.

Every round I've previously loaded for other calibers goes Bang.

Thanks,

KEJ

A delayed fire is a called a hangfire. For some reason, the powder may not be receivingthe full charge/proper chargefrom the primer for proper powder ignition(could be one or more of the variables you mentioned regarding the primer, primer pocket, etc.), the powder itself could not be working correctly, or a combination of the two. I WOULD NOT FIRE ANY MORE OF THESE! Use an inertia tool to unseat the bullet on a round that did not go off. I would not do this unlessit has been at leasta couple hours sinceyou tried to fire the round. Inspect the primer while it is still in the case to see if it ignited. Also inspect the powder. I strongly suggest doing this with a well experienced and safereloader.

If a round does not go off using modern smokeless powder, wait at least one to two minutes with the firearm properlyheld and pointed in a safe direction before you unchamber the round. Some say this should be at least 5 minutes with black powder.

A small rifle primer seater should solve your problem . The large primer seater dont set them deep enough so they will give when hit by the firing pin .

You've learned a valuable lesson on why you should not rush and/or cut corners when handloading. Fortunately you didn't lose any body parts this time. Handloading is serious business with the potential to cause you and bystanders great harm. Next time get the right equipment, good components, and use good technique.

I see a couple probable causes to the hang fire problem. First might be that some (or all) of the old primers were bad due to age and contamination, and/or they got contaminated when seated in a dirty primer pocket as it only takes a tiny bit of oil or moisture to neutralize a primer. Secondly (and the most likely cause), even if the primers were in perfect condition, when you used the wrong priming tool (I really don't know why you even tried this), the primers were not seated with the anvils firmly against the face of the pocket, the firing pin wasn't able to crush the pellet of priming compound hard enough to get a quick and full ignition because the primer could and likely did move forward absorbing some of the force of the firing pin impact.

At least you acknowledge your mistake. Please, for your sake and those shooting next to you, no more shortcuts. If you aren't patient enough to take the time to get the correct tools and do it right, please go buy factory ammo. You'll keep your face and fingers longer.

Mike

Everyone,

Thanks for the insight. You seemed to have confirmed my suspicions. I have the lee prime all, and figured the difference in the priming piston was only in the diameter and not the stroke length.I purchased a prime all yesterday for small rifle cartridgesand see there is indeed a longer stroke on the piston. You are right about lessons learned and I respect your comments.

Much appreciated,

KEJ

driftrider is 100% correct. Handloading is not a cooking class. NO substitutions here. Period. If you don't have the correct ingredients, don't start until you do. Not only is your safety involved, but those of others who may be near. Keep it safe.

That's correct, however the wider primer rod would not allow to seat the primer below the face of the cartridge, just flush with it. When you shot the gun the firing pin had to push the primer the rest of the way in to the primer pocket, before the compound could be crushed. The priming compound needs to be crushed between the primer cup and the anvil in order for the primer to detonate. That's what caused your hang fire.

You need new primers, and/or to seat them as deeply as you can w/o deforming them. For this, your priming punch must be for small rifle size primers.....

Well, now that you have learned how to load them wrong (at least in the priming part of it) you should be chomping at the bit to load a new batch up to actually enjoy shooting your own handloads. Have fun, but hopefully you have the right equipment to load some safe rounds with now.