Ruger LCR 327 Federal Magnum primer?

[houser52]

I'm just beginning to put together some loads for my new LCR 327 in both 32 H&R Magnum and 327 Federal Magnum.

One thing I've run into is light primer strikes. I've tried CCI SRP, CCI Magnum SRP, Remington SRP, CCI 41 SRP, CCI SPP and Federal SPP. I haven't tried Winchester SPP because I ran out.

All but the Federal SPP have very light indentations. The Federal SPP have fired everytime with normal strikes but everything else have had primers that are barely dented with numerous FTFs. The Remington SRP have fired but show very light strikes.

My plan was to use a small rifle primer for both the H&R and the 327 but with all of the light strikes and FTFs I'm not sure what to do.

I've read where Federal SRP ignites the easiest and I hope to pick up some tomorrow and give them a try.

Which primer would any of you recommend to be the most reliable and give consistent ignition?

 

[Reloadron]

The Hornady 9th Edition suggest a Federal 205 small rifle primer but any small rifle primer should suffice. Magnum primers are generally selected based on the powder type and case capacity. Because of the pressure levels of the round small rifle primers are suggested.

As to the light strikes? I seat a primer till it bottoms out in the primer cup. Small rifle primers share the same dimensions as small pistol primers. I would use your calipers (unless you have a good micrometer) and measure both the primer pocket depth of your cases and primer height of the primers you have. The normal dimensions are listed in SAAMI specifications.

I hand seat my primers so I can feel when a primer bottoms out in the pocket and noting your pocket depth and primer height should reveal a seated primer will be a few thousandths below flush with the case heads. I would start with that.

Ron

 

[Unclenick]

Agree that Federal is easier to ignite than other makes. They use a chemically different form of lead styphnate sensitizer than the others do. SR and magnum SP are close enough to identical to be substituted in this application. SR magnum probably makes more gas than you need and will be the hardest to ignite because in small rifle primers the cups get thicker for the magnum versions (unlike large rifle primers, for which the cups seem to be the same for both standard and magnum).

In general, when the cartridge ignites, the primer backs out of the primer pocket under pressure. This flows it around the firing pin faster than it can push the firing pin back into place, which is why the indentation looks so much better on the rounds that have fired. If you could get the others to fire, they would look better, too. The failure of the others to fire is most commonly due to them not being seated deeply or firmly enough. However, after trying seating them harder, if it still doesn't fire them, I would give Ruger a call and explain the problem and ask if it is a common issue.

Recommended reading.

 

[reddog81]

If you're having that many primer failures across all brands I'd guess the problem is either the gun or reloading techniques. Have you tinkered with the mainspring at all? I might try a thorough cleaning to see if hat helps.

Do factory rounds fire with the same number of problems? Do the rounds fire on the second or third attempt?

I believe Federal SPP is supposed to be easier to ignite. If you're having problems with them I don't think switching to a different primer is going to help.

 

[Unclenick]

Guys who used to shorten their mainsprings or reduce pre-load on a flat mainspring in order to make fast DA shooting easier, often went to Federal when other primers stopped working. All other domestic brands use lead styphnate (normal) while Federal uses lead styphnate hydroxide (basic). But I think their cups indent easily too (just an impression, not a measurement).

Houser52, Reddog81 makes a good suggestion. Run some factory ammo through it that is made by CCI (Blazer) or Speer, if you can. Both will use the CCI primers. If it all fires, then you know your problem is likely the primer seating issue I alluded to.

 

[houser52]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I've been reloading for over 40 years and hundreds of thousands of rounds. I bet I've only had a few light primer strikes with a FTF on anything I've loaded for and have loaded for at least a dozen different cartridges. The LCR is the first firearm that has ever failed to make a "normal looking" indentation everytime.

If I continue to have light strikes after trying the Federal small rifle primers I'll give Ruger a call and see if they can fix it. If the Federals look good and fire everytime I'll have to make them my dedicated LCR primers.