Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Weak Primer strike

I recently received a new in the box Winchester 2008 special edition feather weight deluxe in 30-06. I have been reloading for 30+ years, so my case prep, primer seating is correct. I am useing Remington 9 1/2 primers. I am getting "light primer strikes" I had one round that did not fire the first time. I have dis-assembled the bolt and inspected. Very clean, no binding etc. The fireing pin extends well beyond the bolt face. The only thing I can think of is a weak fireing pin spring. Would a spring loose it's tension being "cocked" for 3 years. I would be greatful for any input.

spring would be my guess. Probably could get a new one to try out for next to nothing and if that doesn't fix it, a decent smith should be able to fix it for not much more.

I doubt the spring would lose its spring in 3 years. Could you have excessive headspace? Try some loads with the bullet well jammed into the lands -- 0.020" or so.

Sometimes oil will run into the firing pin and cushion the
firing pin strike.

Checked head space, right on the money, chamber is tight, not much resizing a fired case.

Called Winchester, VERY friendly to talk to. Some springs installed were weak. Should be 23 pounds or so on the full length extractor bolts. Different spring than other model 70's as well. Different than post 64 and pre 64. They are sending me a new 25# spring. Oh, at no charge to boot. I will try it and post the results.

Winchester agrees

Well the fireing pin spring arrived in short order. I compaired the new spring with the old. New one is about 3/8 of an inch longer but same amount of coils. So I guess the old spring was compressed. I intalled the new spring and tried it out today. Fixed the problem 100% I now have a VERY good hit on the primer now.

Thanks everyone for there input.