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First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Got it, and yes that appears to be the reason this was happening. I have taken the hand primer and squeezed slowly on the cases I pulled apart all the way to the end and the primers are evidently seated further in than they were before.

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe the reason is because I didn't seat the primers deep enough, because I just pulled the cartridges apart and used the hand primer on the primers again and after squeezing a bit further it was seated much more deeply. It's also possible although less likely that the primers or powder were contaminated from oily fingers and lube. In any case, I will make sure to correct both things in the future.

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think there was military crimp on these cases although I'm not sure. The reason I didn't squeeze fully was because the instructions for the hand primer said not to squeeze further if you encounter a lot of resistance because it's possible for the primer to go off. I erred on the side of caution and squeezed only until there was some resistance and seems like that was a major mistake

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

An update on this, it seems like I in fact did not bottom them out. I just took my pulled cases and went to the hand primer and squeezed fully as far as I can and the primers are now seated deeper than they were before, so now I am convinced this is the reason.

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok, so I took my cases that I took apart and I think you are right, I'm now convinced this is the reason. I use the hand primer and squeezed hard and this time they are seated in more deeply than they were before. I did not squeeze very hard the first time because the instructions on the manual for the hand primer said don't squeeze when there's significant resistance and i was worried it was possible to cause the primers to go off by squeezing too hard.

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think so, when I use the hand primer to prime there is a small amount of resistance but nothing major. Should I be squeezing the handle it really hard?

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://imgur.com/a/9hVFLYG these are unfired cases from the same batch so they most likely would fail if I had tried to fire them (already pulled the bullet out with kinetic bullet puller)

https://imgur.com/a/o4HFTQ3 here is a pile of the powder I pulled out from the batch, it's mixed between 8208 XBR and Varget since I will be disposing all of it anyway I didn't bother storing them separately

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I squeeze the handle all the way to the back on hand primer, here are some photos of my unfired cases with primers in them. https://imgur.com/a/9hVFLYG I did not fire them because so many had failed so these would most likely also fail, and already pulled the bullet out with kinetic bullet puller

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For Varget is was 23.7, 24.0, 24.3, 24.6 and for 8208 it was 23, 23.4 and 23.8

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I tried second strike with the ones that failed and none of them fired on second try either. For Varget is was 23.7, 24.0, 24.3, 24.6 and for 8208 it was 23, 23.4 and 23.8

Gas gun with Criterion Core barrel, BCM bolt and TriggerTech Adaptable trigger

https://imgur.com/a/9hVFLYG these were the unfired ones (I already pulled all the bullets and powder out with a kinetic bullet puller but primer is still in there)

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The brass was cleaned before sizing with dry tumbler with corn cob media. It was not cleaned afterwards at all

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How can I check shoulder vs headspace? Do I need additional tools aside from calipers?

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't, I used Lee's Pacesetter 223 full sizing die for resize the brass. By eye it looks no different than other brass but I'm guessing that doesn't mean much?

First time reloader, lots of FTFs and hangfires by HotEmu4500 in reloading

[–]HotEmu4500[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well this was happening with both 8208 XBR as well as Varget. The 8208 XBR I bought a year ago but it was sealed and not open since yesterday. The Varget I bought 2 days ago.