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< 16ga. Ammunition & Reloading ~ Lite strikes and reloads |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2019 5:52 pm
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Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Posts: 110
Location: Eastern Washington
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Question about reloads and lite strikes.
I have a Fox 16 Sterlingworth. Never has any problems digesting factory ammo. I have been reloading Herters (Cheddite) hulls with Winchester 209 primers. About once a round of skeet or trap, I get a lite strike. It happens in either barrel. When it happens, I wait awhile, then remove the shell, put it in the other barrel and fire with no problem.
I don't think it is an issue with the firing pins as I have had the gun checked out by a qualified gunsmith. When the lite strike happens, it is just that, a partial indentation but not enough to ignite the primer.
I reload with a MEC 8567 Grabber. Could it be something to do with the reloading process that is seating the primer too deeply? The components? Many variables, welcome your thoughts. |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:24 pm
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Member
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 605
Location: Topeka, Kansas
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It could be the shells or the gun.
Carefully compare the shells with light strikes to those from those which fired.
Look for differences in primer depth, rim thickness, and also look for any bowing or cupping on the shells.
Consider using a different primer, slight almost imperceptible (to me) differences can cause this and can be resolved by simply using different primers.
If no differences appear in the shells then look to the gun. When was it last stripped and cleaned?
If you are not comfortable with doing it yourself, send it to an experienced double gun guy. You would be amazed how much crude can build up in an action. I experienced a failure to fire issue with a browning O/U that was solved by cleaning it. |
_________________ Michael
Topeka, KS |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:46 pm
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Joined: 12 Feb 2018
Posts: 258
Location: West-central Missouri
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Try Cheddite or Fiocchi primers. I think they are .001 inch wider and may not seat as deeply as the Win 209. The Herter's have a Cheddite pri,er to start with... |
_________________ An ounce of fives, the smell of nitro in paper hulls, wet gundog, and Hoppe's #9... |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2019 10:30 pm
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Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Posts: 110
Location: Eastern Washington
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Thanks duckdup. I have been using the following receipe from the yahoo 16 gauge reloading group:
Cheddite Hull
7/8 ounce shot
18 gr Green Dot
DR-16 Wad
Win 209 Primer
I didn't see any receipes that replace the Win 209 Primer with a Cheddite Primer (keeping the DR16 wad and Green Dot). Does anybody have a receipe? |
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Posted:
Mon Feb 04, 2019 3:41 am
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Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2349
Location: West MI
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old colonel wrote: |
Carefully compare the shells with light strikes to those from those which fired.
Look for differences in primer depth, rim thickness, and also look for any bowing or cupping on the shells.
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IMO, this is worth looking at. If unaware how to look for these symptoms, take a known straight edge (rule, shank of a screwdriver, etc) and run across the base of the shell while looking at a light source. quarantining the dud's helps cut to the chase. Some of my 11-48's are notorious for dishing in the base of shells and if using inconsistent pressure (sometimes pull down/seat a little light/heavy) while seating the primers in these dished hulls the gap (in the strongly seated primers) can cause what appears as a light strike.
Possible that barrel has more headspace that the other? A little ball, smaller than a BB, of Modeling Clay on the back of a shell then closed in the action can give an indication of headspace. A piece of Scotch tape over the MC helps prevent it from flowing into the firing pin hole and sticking to the breach face.
Good luck with it, |
_________________ Sorry, I'm a Duck Hunter so shouldn't be held strictly responsible for my actions between Oct 1st and ice up. |
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Posted:
Mon Feb 04, 2019 7:34 am
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Member
Joined: 22 Aug 2011
Posts: 1498
Location: the Moosehorn
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Use Ched primers in Ched hulls W209 is to small a dia. these two primers have the same strength. |
_________________ ALWAYS wear the safety glasses
If you take Cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like Prunes than Rhubarb does ----G.M/ |
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Posted:
Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:17 pm
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Joined: 24 Jul 2016
Posts: 548
Location: Ohio
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If you use Rio primers and 15.5 grns of Green Dot you'll have a very nice efficient light recoiling load and save a little powder to boot. I concur with others, winchester primers just don't do well in Euro hulls. I keep a brick of Rios for worn primer pockets as well. |
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Posted:
Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:19 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2126
Location: Hudson,Wy
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Back in the 90's I had this problem with CCI primers. Win was seldom a problem and Federals always popped. You may have a "hard" batch of primers. Like others said, try different primers and see if it solves the problem. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Thu Feb 07, 2019 8:55 am
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Member
Joined: 21 Feb 2005
Posts: 367
Location: Anchorage, AK
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I have a Fox 16 ga that started with light primer strikes on factory ammo several years ago. I took the stock off and soaked the action in acetone for a few hours, let it dry and lubed it lightly. End of problem.
I also recently had a French Guild gun in 16 gauge that suddenly started doing the same thing, first on one barrel then the other. I sent it to a 'smith and he found a broken mainspring on the left. Also, the sear on the right was not allowing the gun to cock fully. Adjust sear. End of problem. |
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Posted:
Sat Feb 09, 2019 11:19 pm
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Joined: 14 Oct 2011
Posts: 110
Location: Eastern Washington
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Lots of good advice on swapping with different primers. Anyone have tested recipes with the components I am using:
Cheddite Hulls
DR-16 wads
Green Dot (xx grains)
Primer: ?
Not seeing any combinations like this on the 16 gauge reloading spreadsheet. |
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Posted:
Sun Feb 10, 2019 7:22 pm
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1310
Location: Western WA
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Quote: |
Could it be something to do with the reloading process that is seating the primer too deeply?
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Another possibility is that the MEC resizer is flattening down the rim of the hull excessively, allowing the hull to drop too far in the chamber. The MEC resizer can unscrew after usage, and can mash down the rim. The resizer should be tightened up periodically so that a nickel can fit underneath as it bottoms out.
Just an idea. Good Luck,
B. |
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