Pierced primers

[John Mazza]

Occasionally, when I shoot "high pressure" ammo, I'll experience a few pierced primers. (High pressure = anything over 6500 psig)

I usually shoot 12 ga. RST Falcon UltraLites (3/4 and 7/8 ounce) from my ca. 1886 Parker hammer gun. When using this ammo, I NEVER pierce a primer. But I recently shot some of the RST Spreader loads & a few primers got pierced. Polywad Vintagers result in more than a few pierced primers.

My firing pins appear normal. (I don't see or feel any sharp edges/points).

Outside of it looking odd when I open the gun, it doesn't bother anything. (It's too weird to look down & see a blackened primer staring up at you - kinda' like a black eye !)

Anyone else have this problem ? Should I "worry" about this or just keep shooting the Ultralites ?

Thanks !

[Bill Zachow]

I had the same problem in my 16 gauge Hammered O frame, using RST shells. Mentioned it to RST guys at Vintagers last year and they told me it was my gun. When using reloaded brass shells with regular 209 primers and black powder, I never had a pierced primer. My firing pins are fine. I am guessing they are using a thin faced primer. Just a guess.

[Ed Blake]

I've experienced that also with RSTs. I've never had it happen on any other kind of ammo.

[Austin W Hogan]

I shoot four hammer guns with a variety of ammo. One pierces a lot of primers of any make , two do occassionally, and one never. The only way I know I have pierced a primer is the previously mentioned black center. The gas trapping of the Parker hammer gun is essentially perfect.

Best, Austin

[John Mazza]

Thanks guys - I'll just keep shooting the RST Falcon Ultralites for practice & not worry about it.

...another good reason to always wear shooting glasses when shooting (and especially hunting).

[Richard Flanders]

My Remington hammer gun has rather long primers and pierces a lot of Win209's even of low pressure. The good side is that I can take a shell that other guns, especially some of the newer hi-tech ones, won't seem to shoot after 2-3 tries and the old Remington makes them smoke. I can tell when I shoot old paper shells in it that the primers are considerably thicker as they rarely pierce. I reckon they're all using thinner metal these days to save that micro-cent per primer...

[John Mazza]

Tough old guns ! Gotta' love 'em !

Good shooting to you all !