Primers that are not adequately seated can cause what issue?

When primers are not properly seated in a cartridge, it can lead to improper ignition of the primer compound. The ignition of the primer is crucial because it ignites the gunpowder in the cartridge. If a primer is too high in the pocket or not firmly seated, it may fail to make consistent contact with the firing pin or may not provide the necessary shock to ignite the primer. This can result in misfires or delayed ignition, where the gunpowder does not ignite at all or takes longer than expected to do so. Consequently, this affects the overall reliability and performance of the firearm, as the expected discharge of the bullet may not occur.

While other issues such as excessive recoil, high velocity, or powder migration can occur for various reasons related to ammunition quality or firearm mechanics, they are not directly linked to the seating of primers. Proper primer seating is essential for reliable firearm function and performance.