Thread: White River Primers - Any misfire issues?

Lol I found some wronguns the other day...didn't even know there was Berdan primed small rifle but found half dozen 5.56,luckily I realised something wrong when ram stopped so had a look. Sorted 300 cases via head stamp after that lol

I learnt new trick the other day.with care I can get Lyman case deburring tool to clamp in chuck of cordless drill. Looks like a rocket ship.holding carefully while closing chuck,the jaws come out and grip shaft. Too easy and quick to whizz up primer pockets then.

What upsets me most about all this, is that he threw the powder away. Why did he throw the powder away? Not only do I reuse the powder from dismantled cartridges, I reuse the primers too. And the bullets and cases.

Originally Posted by BillyDixon

What upsets me most about all this, is that he threw the powder away. Why did he throw the powder away? Not only do I reuse the powder from dismantled cartridges, I reuse the primers too. And the bullets and cases.

Only two cases so didn’t bother and at the time I didn’t know what the primer had done so didn’t just tip back into my container - I have reused before

Those ones that didn't go off look almost cupped from the firing pin strike to me - I would suggest that the issue may be related to what is for some reason known as primer sensitising during the primer seating operation or in other words they haven't been squeezed in hard enough to get the cup fully seated onto the anvil.

It's a fairly critical part of the operation, and doesn't take much of an error here to upset things enough that they don't play. What do you use to seat them?

Originally Posted by johnd

Can you point us to some info please, I religously decock some actions. Not doubting your remark but would like some proof.

There is another plurry good reason to do it.... If someone does manage to get ahold of rifle and bolt...it won't go in. Until it's been turned again as young Brad found out with his sako.

Originally Posted by No.3

Those ones that didn't go off look almost cupped from the firing pin strike to me - I would suggest that the issue may be related to what is for some reason known as primer sensitising during the primer seating operation or in other words they haven't been squeezed in hard enough to get the cup fully seated onto the anvil.

It's a fairly critical part of the operation, and doesn't take much of an error here to upset things enough that they don't play. What do you use to seat them?

Just used the priming tool in the cheap Lee press (it’s not a hand primer).

Lol. For decrimping I use a Stanley knife. Does the job.

My model 7 .223 use to do this couldnt hit CCI hard enough but cratered on the fed 210s I put it to light strike

Can’t be arsed going back and reading the whole thread but I don’t think anyone has said try the rounds in another rifle if possible, removes one variable possibly.

Ive loaded white river primers in my 303, k98 mauser, mosin nagant, k31 swiss and not had a single misfire over about 150 rounds ive loaded with them so far. Would be good to find a mate with the same calibre and try firing them in that. Bit late now obviously. They had a few problems lately at the local shotgun range with seeing more misfires than usual. Someone there reckoned the primer quality has gone down since the war in ukraine etc?

I heard of the shotgun issue two years ago haven't struck it yet myself.

Originally Posted by Forestry

Just used the priming tool in the cheap Lee press (it’s not a hand primer).

Ahh - I found my priming improved a LOT with going to a hand primer, could feel and judge when the primer cup was properly seated. For some reason I was getting the odd proud and tall one out of the press priming lever and was having to stick them back in for another go or two. Worth a double look after each priming operation and check they are all fully seated and seated to the same depth...

Update

Cleaned the bolt - looked good, no fouling/grease and spring strong. It’s not the issue.

Purchased a Lyman Hand primer - it was utterly useless only seating about 70% with the WREs so went back to cheap Lee tool as part of the anniversary kit I use which was better. But had to really apply some pressure to finish the seating.

Loaded up 30 odd 22-250 rounds with WREs and had to really push/slam to get primers all seated in the PPU cases (once fired) but they all worked in the Tikka apart from one I had crushed putting in and could see a crease in the primer.

Went to old quarry/range with the 284 to check zero.. The normal 162s with feds worked fine. The 3 old 140s with WREs didn’t ignite. Pulled all the 140s (and kept powder!) and put all the empty but still WRE primed cases through the 284 with earmuffs on and safe area and about 12 out of 20 went pop with a nice flame. The primers are not defective - just big!

Loaded up another 10 odd 162s with Fed210s for my next hunt and the Feds seated like butter and much deeper than the WREs.

In conclusion - it’s the proper seating that is my problem with WREs and my WIN284 cases. A number of people identified this above. I’ve managed to get another 200 Fed210s and I stick to my 162 load for now.

Thanks for all the advice and help - I’ve learned a bit again. I do need a better priming tool and the Lyman isn’t it….

Originally Posted by Forestry

Update

Took my bolt apart and had a look - pretty bloody clean and spring is nice and strong. Firing pin looks good.

Cases - left to right
2x Fed210 that fired Win760 with 162 ELDX
2x WRE that fired RE16 with 140 BTs
2x WRE same as above that didn’t ignite

Attachment 257160

Also one more WRE that did fire and 2 x loaded rounds

Attachment 257161

I’ll try and find my old school bullet puller tomorrow to dismantle the two that didn’t ignite. I did shake them and can hear powder inside…

2C. Some times you need to fully uniform the primer pocket to seat the primer. Those last primers looked "squashed". Then last quality control flick dry thumb over the primer. You can feel it seated below the lip. Then eyeometry to check it looks like it feels. The WRE are "higher" but they are a good primer. Compensate by uniforming the pocket thoroughly.