Thread: CCI BR4 vs CCI 400 primer’s

Ive had an interesting time this weekend testing some .223 loads in a new to me Tikka .
When I initially got it I just ran a selection of factory ammo through it and was very happy with the results .
So last week I loaded up some rounds of 77TMK and 80 ELDM using 2206H , new ADI brass and CCI BR4 primers to do some testing .
Only 3 of the first 7 rounds went off and those that did misfire had an indentation on the primer but not very big .
First thing I did was strip the bolt and clean/lubricate , but it wasn't bad at all infact it was very clean .
Went back to see if that helped - first shot misfire .
I went to the cupboard and found some ADI factory 55gn ammo ( thought I'd use that because it is the same brand as the cases I'm loading ) and loaded up 6 rounds .
Perfect ignition overtime .
I read somewhere that the CCI BR4 primers are a bit harder than the CCI 400 , can anyone confirm that ?
I’ve checked case lengths with my comparator set both fired and unfired to make sure that the cases aren't short etc , but so far all I can come up with is the primers are hard and the Tikka's spring must be a bit light .

This morning I primed 5 new ADI cases with CCI 400 primers but no powder or projectiles and just fired them off - 100% success .
I then primed 5 cases with the BR4’s and only 2 of the 5 went off and the indentations on the primers were very weak .

I went and got my Howa out and tried the 3 primer’s that didn’t go off - all 3 fired no problem.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this , how common is it for Tikka’s to have a weak spring , or is it a situation of BR4’s being very hard ( my Howa’s don’t seem to mind them )

Everything else I’ve shot through the rifle , at least 50 rounds of different factory ammo hasn’t been a problem.

Anyone got any experience of this before, or suggestions ?