Failure to fire

Ian

Notorious member
FTF of a high primer = first firing pin strike seats it (causing a dimple). Second hit should fire it. If not, then chalk it up to a bad primer or weak hammer spring. Depending on frequency of occurrence.

Perfect explanation.
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
Checking for a high primer is easy, run the base of the primed case over a flat ruler edge (or other flat steel), if you feel a bump, the primer is high and should be reseated. I do this with every case as I'm seating primers. Don't be afraid to put pressure on the primer to seat it, the anvil must contact the bottom of the primer pocket for reliable ignition.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I've got where I run the side of my index finger under each case as I prime it.
and when I run pistol rounds on the dillons I take each bunch and put them bullet down in a MTM case so I can check the primers before dumping them in the storage containers.
 

Chris

Well-Known Member
I've got where I run the side of my index finger under each case as I prime it.
and when I run pistol rounds on the dillons I take each bunch and put them bullet down in a MTM case so I can check the primers before dumping them in the storage containers.


That is what I do, our fingertips are very sensitive and can easily detect down to 1000'th or so difference in height.
 
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RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I never would have believed it, but the MIT engineering school's machine shop instructor said that a human finger tip can tell 0.001" on an edge and 0.004" on a rounded surface. Always remembered that fact.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Yeah, a finger tip is a really precision RELATIVE measuring tool. Not worth squat for absolute precision, though. :D

Doing body work you can feel stuff that you can barely see in a glossy surface. Not sure what that is but way, way
small ripples.

Bill