Primers that “Fail to Fire” and why.
Dec 24, 2023 18:05:03 GMT -5
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sew and buckeye68 like this
Post by ballistic on Dec 24, 2023 18:05:03 GMT -5
core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36707412.pdf
The above link is a lengthy but good read on the explosive compound 1 of 3 (lead styphnate ) found in primers and how increased humidity with lower temps increases the saturation of moisture in a primer. As the moisture saturation rises it will become more difficult to ignite the primer.
“Priming compound is a mechanical mixture of lead styphnate, antimony sulfide, barium nitrate, and other chemicals. This combination will create heat and gas when struck sharply”
Antimony sulfate, Sb2(SO4)3, is a hygroscopic salt formed by reacting antimony or its compounds with hot sulfuric acid.
Barium nitrate is an odorless white hygroscopic solid, slightly soluble in water and insoluble in alcohols.
Ok -to simplify the above -LOL !
The 3 main ingredients found in primers are hygroscopic - or sponges for moisture. The priming compounds are placed inside the primer in a wet form similar to extruded gun powder (for safety reasons) and then dried carefully in a controlled environment.
A primer can fail due to high moisture -but if given time to dry - will work again. I know this because I’ve used primers that were underwater for a solid week from a flood my son worked on and recovered. 2 weeks of drying them and not a single misfire. From the above lengthy article it appears that humidity above 93% and cold temps can ruin (won’t fire) a primer in as little as a few hours.
How does this relate to your muzzleloader as you can’t seal out the elements reliably when compared to a rifle cartridge ? Keeping your barrel end taped or use of a balloon can really help. Also trying to keep the barrel from sweating by loading it and keeping it cold (not taking it from the warm truck to your hunt spot) can help a lot.
Another idea is to swap out modules every day when hunting in high humidity and letting the previous ones dry out for a few days.
I have personally experienced many primer failures (though rare) and almost all of them can be linked to high humidity. But sometimes there isn’t any explanation at all. Please add or comment. Thanks
The above link is a lengthy but good read on the explosive compound 1 of 3 (lead styphnate ) found in primers and how increased humidity with lower temps increases the saturation of moisture in a primer. As the moisture saturation rises it will become more difficult to ignite the primer.
“Priming compound is a mechanical mixture of lead styphnate, antimony sulfide, barium nitrate, and other chemicals. This combination will create heat and gas when struck sharply”
Antimony sulfate, Sb2(SO4)3, is a hygroscopic salt formed by reacting antimony or its compounds with hot sulfuric acid.
Barium nitrate is an odorless white hygroscopic solid, slightly soluble in water and insoluble in alcohols.
Ok -to simplify the above -LOL !
The 3 main ingredients found in primers are hygroscopic - or sponges for moisture. The priming compounds are placed inside the primer in a wet form similar to extruded gun powder (for safety reasons) and then dried carefully in a controlled environment.
A primer can fail due to high moisture -but if given time to dry - will work again. I know this because I’ve used primers that were underwater for a solid week from a flood my son worked on and recovered. 2 weeks of drying them and not a single misfire. From the above lengthy article it appears that humidity above 93% and cold temps can ruin (won’t fire) a primer in as little as a few hours.
How does this relate to your muzzleloader as you can’t seal out the elements reliably when compared to a rifle cartridge ? Keeping your barrel end taped or use of a balloon can really help. Also trying to keep the barrel from sweating by loading it and keeping it cold (not taking it from the warm truck to your hunt spot) can help a lot.
Another idea is to swap out modules every day when hunting in high humidity and letting the previous ones dry out for a few days.
I have personally experienced many primer failures (though rare) and almost all of them can be linked to high humidity. But sometimes there isn’t any explanation at all. Please add or comment. Thanks
