I had some basic transparent effetre red in the mixed pack I got with my set up, and had no problems getting it to strike into a beautiful bright red, even with my careless newbie technique. I've had 2 more batches now (Tuffnells even tested the second batch for me, so I know it's me not the glass) and both batches keep going brown, orange or very dark wine red when I strike them.
I have tried working hotter, cooler, with more and less oxygen, striking quickly and carefully in the cool part of the flame (goes orange) or very quickly in the hotter area. I've tried striking it slowly for longer. I have tried it on it's own, as well as over white and clear. I have tried working it a lot, as well as working it as little as possible. I've let it cool a lot longer than I felt was prudent before striking.
I'm getting very annoyed, as I just can't tell what I'm doing wrong - as far as I can tell I've done the same as I did with the previous rods from the mixed pack. I really hope someone has some suggestions for me before I get the hell in and stop lampworking alltogether! :-\
I wish I knew the answer, I could strike red quite nicely when I had my hothead but have had little success since I upgraded. That might suggest it's something to do with the flame type but I've never managed to get it right.
Sorry no advice but I feel your pain !!
No help to offer I'm afraid. I have given up on transparent red, orange and yellow are also a source of frustration for me. If its a striker I don't buy it any more because like you I just cant get it right. The final straw was a bead that was great in one area and almost transparent clear in another. I like blue and green mostly because they behave better!
I think the striking red can vary an awful lot...I've had two batches from Tuffnells this year that were a completely different colour, and the last lot were quite dark, so it may not be you!
A lot of people seem to have difficulty with this glass, I think I would give up on it for the time being and try other colours! If it is transparent red that you especially want, the Lauscha red that Heather sells is supposed to be very good.
http://lauscha.heatherkellyglass.co.uk/content/snt-219-red-transparent-6-8mm (http://lauscha.heatherkellyglass.co.uk/content/snt-219-red-transparent-6-8mm)
But don't give up altogether!! :)