Mis-fires or Weak/Broken Spring.

Hmmm.
If you are suddenly having an issue with your rifle and ammo the number one suspect is the ammo - especially this brand where misfires have been encountered by others.
By spending investing on another box of ammo you can determine if the ammo is indeed the cause and if so you will still have ammo that shoots; then return the faulty batch to the RFD and get more decent ammo. Simples.
🦊🦊
 
Lifted from a Hornady comment, “Now there’s a shortage in corrugated cardboard nationwide. Explosive certified cardboard is in even shorter supply. We’re starting to see issues with some of the other stuff, primers in particular,”
Is it possible that any sporting ammunition they are making may be starting to use the harder cup mil primers?:-|
 
Hmmm.
If you are suddenly having an issue with your rifle and ammo the number one suspect is the ammo - especially this brand where misfires have been encountered by others.
By spending investing on another box of ammo you can determine if the ammo is indeed the cause and if so you will still have ammo that shoots; then return the faulty batch to the RFD and get more decent ammo. Simples.
🦊🦊
^^^^^^^ most likely cause.

The cases would have to be massively undersized (relative) to cause light strikes in a factory rifle .
Firing pin protrusion in a factory rifle is commonly between 0.050" and 0.060" even if the cases are undersized that should be more than adequate given that some custom actions are apparently set at 0.040" . There is an example of T3 on another forum with a measured protrusion of 0.071" .
If the bolt has been stripped and cleaned chances are it's crap primers .

Lifted from a Hornady comment, “Now there’s a shortage in corrugated cardboard nationwide. Explosive certified cardboard is in even shorter supply. We’re starting to see issues with some of the other stuff, primers in particular,”
Is it possible that any sporting ammunition they are making may be starting to use the harder cup mil primers?:-|

I think this is the most likely cause , as you stated in #2 I believe.
 
Slightly off topic, but if you're planning on reloading those cases you should note that the primers have been crimped in as per 'mil-spec'.

Also adds weight to any thought that they may be 'mil-spec' primers with harder cups...
 
Slightly off topic, but if you're planning on reloading those cases you should note that the primers have been crimped in as per 'mil-spec'.

Also adds weight to any thought that they may be 'mil-spec' primers with harder cups...
I noticed that also and they seem slightly bigger!
 
A mate who helps me with fox control on my shoot has had exactly this issue in recent weeks with the same ammo and a new T3. I told him to strip and clean the bolt but have a suspicion that there may be a faulty batch of ammo kicking about based upon some of these replies.
 
Put a single strip of masking tape over the back (primer end) of the rounds that won't fire, remove firing pin first to avoid accidents.

If the bolt closes, you have your answer (excess headspace on brass).
Hello 'CS'. I have done as you suggested. All three mis-fired rounds would chamber and bolt would close normally.
 
Hello 'CS'. I have done as you suggested. All three mis-fired rounds would chamber and bolt would close normally.

Not good, a case gague would be the definite answer.

PM me and I'll send you an L.E Wilson one, if they fail that then its back to the shop (and Hornady) for a refund as that ammunition is unsafe.
 
As promised, a 'follow--up'.
I removed the firing-pin and spring, both appeared normal. There was no ingress of debris or excess oil/crud. I attach two photos of pin & spring as removed, I notice nothing untoward myself.
Subsequent to my original post, but prior to removing the pin, I had an evening foxing and had two shots, both performed as you would expect.
As others have alluded to its beginning to appear that it's the ammo at fault !
Would like to hear any additional thoughts.
Thank-you all for the helpful replies thus far.

'Camodog'.
 

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A mate who helps me with fox control on my shoot has had exactly this issue in recent weeks with the same ammo and a new T3. I told him to strip and clean the bolt but have a suspicion that there may be a faulty batch of ammo kicking about based upon some of these replies.

Might be worth posting the batch number for comparison.
 
Slightly off topic, but if you're planning on reloading those cases you should note that the primers have been crimped in as per 'mil-spec'.

Also adds weight to any thought that they may be 'mil-spec' primers with harder cups...
Apologies 'DB', I missed responding to this reply. I do not reload. However, how would the 'crimped primer' compromise or impact upon the reloading process ?
Thanks,
'Camodog'.
 
The crimp is around the mouth of the primer pocket and makes it smaller than the diameter of the pocket. you can press the primer out as the crimp will 'open' as the primer comes out but will then spring closed again stopping a new primer from going into the pocket. the crimp needs removing, either by swaging the pocket or simply removing it using a deburring tool. Plenty of detail of 'how to' threads on the forum.
 
As promised, an update. Thanks to the generosity of 'Caberslash' and the loan of his 'Wilson Case Gauge' I was able to establish 'excessive head-space' as being the cause of my recent spell of mis-fires, as per my original post.
It would appear I was unfortunate to have purchased 'a rouge' box of ammo. I checked the rest of my .223 ammo, both with and without crimped primers, and they all show correct 'head-space'.
Thanks all again for your input, appreciated, and especially to 'Caberslash' for the loan of the gauge.

'Camodog'.
 
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