Tula primers fail

[ttocswob]

I picked up a k of TulAmmo KVB-9 small pistol primers a few weeks ago, just because. Yesterday, I loaded 60-something rounds of .357 magnum and .38 special; mainly to use some dented brass and sub-par cast boolits. Some of my brass was already primed, and I tried the Tula primers for the rest, about 40 rounds. All with a 158+ SWC over a nominal load of Unique.

 

I fired all the .357 rounds in my Handi-rifle without incident. I then switched to my Dan Wesson for the .38's  I had one dud round in the second cylinder. Tried the round in the Handi-rifle; still a dud.

 

A few rounds later, I heard "pffft" instead of "bang." The dread bullet in bore. I didn't have a cleaning rod with me, so the revolver was done for the day.

 

I switched back to the Handi-rifle for the few remaining rounds. The last round was another "pffft"; another bullet in bore.

 

So, out of 40 Tula primers, one misfire and two squibbs. My guns and I are glad I was paying attention.

 

So, what to do with the remaining 960 commie primers - blanks, maybe?

[Raoul]

Wow, that's a first. I've used them for a couple of years with no problem, I did buy some PMC Sp primers a few years back that were crappy. Lot of having to fire them twice to get them to work.

I guess everybody makes a bad one occasionally.

[battleop]

I can't help but wonder if this kind of stuff is a by product of the 24/7/365 production that's been trying to keep up with demand.  In an effort to try and meet demand it's a combination of lower quality control standards and more less experienced employees making lots of product.

[Oh Shoot]

I don't reload, but a squib indicates the primer did indeed ignite, yes?  Perhaps you just didn't put powder in those two carts?

 

- OS

[dlm37015]

I have sold millions of them .
had a few tell me they wouldn't go off but without fail it was no powder or primer not seated

[Luke E.]

I'm on my 5th case  (5k each) of Wolf/Tula primers of which some were small pistol and some were small rifle but only one of them so far has failed due to a primer not detonating. I like those odds but it doesn't sound like you have had the same luck. Personally, I would go ahead and load them and pay mighty close attention to my powder charge.

[Jamie Jackson]

I've used about 10,000 Wolf primers and 15,000 Tula SPP over the past few years.

The only issue I've had were with a batch (5000) of the "lead free" Tula SPP. The lead free required an installation of an extra power striker spring in my Glocks to get reliable ignition out of them.

When we got the lead free Tulas shot up, I went back to OEM springs without any problems.

 

Like David mentioned above...seating depth is critical...and simply requires a little extra attention. I'm not saying that was the problem with yours, just what I've found.

Solid advice about the powder charge above as well.

 

My preference is actually Wolf Small Pistol Magnum primers for 9mm.

[ttocswob]

I don't reload, but a squib indicates the primer did indeed ignite, yes?  Perhaps you just didn't put powder in those two carts?

 

- OS

NO = Unique was everywhere when I opened the action on both squibbs.

[ttocswob]

I have sold millions of them .
had a few tell me they wouldn't go off but without fail it was no powder or primer not seated

 

(1) No (2) possible - a couple of primers did need a little extra effort to seat, although all are seated flush. As I said, brass was not the best, but was clean, wet tumbled in detergent and used primers - the poor man's wet tumble media. Also, the Dan Wesson strikes a bit light, but not so with the Handi-rifle.

 

Curiously, both squibbs has enough "ummph" to push the bullet into the bore, but failed to ignite the powder.

[tnhawk]

I've only had one quibb since I started reloading in the 70s, but it was due to little or no powder.  Is it possible there was an issue with the powder?  It seems the powder should have ignited if the primer firing could push the bullet into the barrel. 

[GlockSpock]

NO = Unique was everywhere when I opened the action on both squibbs.

 

So you are saying that the primer ignited with enough power to push the bullet into the barrel, but not enough power to ignite the powder? Are you 100% sure that the powder didn't get wet?

[frankmako]

I have use them for years without any problems.

[joustin]

I am working through 10,000 223 primers, I have found 1 or two out of the batch, including 3-4k before this that had a missing anvil, I used a "spare" anvil from my spent primers and they worked lol

[Clod Stomper]

...but was clean, wet tumbled in detergent and used primers - the poor man's wet tumble media..

This makes me think there was a bit of water remaining in a couple of the cases. I've cleaned cases in detergent before and it can be surprisingly difficult to get them completely dry inside. Especially if the used primer was still in.

On top of that, the suspect primers had enough energy to stick the bullet in the bore, but didn't ignite the powder. I bet the powder was wet. Edited June 13, 2014 by Clod Stomper

[ttocswob]

Well, the brass dried in the sun most of the day, then a couple of days indoors, then sizing, etc. Didn't notice any moisture, but anything's possible.

 

Thanx to all for your comments. Definitely helped me think thru the process. I'm not completely convinced as to any one cause, but I'll try a few more now before giving up on Tula.

[Luke E.]

Well, the brass dried in the sun most of the day, then a couple of days indoors, then sizing, etc. Didn't notice any moisture, but anything's possible.

 

Thanx to all for your comments. Definitely helped me think thru the process. I'm not completely convinced as to any one cause, but I'll try a few more now before giving up on Tula.

 

 Well I hope they work out for you but if you get to the point of disposal you can send them to me and I will see that they are disposed of properly ;)