Question for the handloaders here

[elchivito]

Ever had a primer go off accidentally? You personally please, I've read all the anecdotal scare stories.

[retmil46]

Negative. And to be honest, I personally haven't heard first-hand of anyone having one go off on them. I haven't even heard the "urban legend" accounts you mention.

In my case, all the handloading I've done over the years has been shotgun ammo - no pistol or rifle ammo.

Had the opposite experience actually - primers failing to function - not from handloads, but store-bought Remington Game Loads - as many as 6 out of 15 shells on the first try - they've developed quite a bad reputation over the past few years.

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by retmil46

Had the opposite experience actually - primers failing to function - not from handloads, but store-bought Remington Game Loads

I recently noticed that my Remington Gun Club Target Loads have had several shells per flat that fail to fire.

[retmil46]

Originally Posted by thorsen

I recently noticed that my Remington Gun Club Target Loads have had several shells per flat that fail to fire.

From what I've seen on the shotgunworld forum over the past 3 years, this has been across all makes, types, and gauges - from cheap chain-store Stoegers to high end Brownings - so it's not the guns based on empirical evidence.

Majority opinion is that Remington is using cheap "hard" primers in their lower-end shell brands.

OTOH, I can pick up a box of Remington Nitro Pheasant, and they'll work like a charm.

[jplinville]

No issues here, but I use a turret style press instead of a handloader

[aklim]

Yes I have with the "Lee Loaders" but not with the RCBS turret or hand squeeze units. You have to hammer those in and that is where they go off. Squeezing them in avoids that issue

[elchivito]

I resurrected a bunch of old reloading gear out of the barn. Lee single stage press. I'm using a hand primer on .45s at the moment. No hammering.