Primer analysis

[Tempest 455]

I'm not an expert by any means reading primers. I did some chrono this AM with various loads. Was testing different cases, powders etc. All were within the recommended limits. I was using 2 different guns. One load seemed pretty hot for the barrel lengh, but again was within specs.

Do these look OK?

 

[Max1]

I'm not an expert by any means reading primers. I did some chrono this AM with various loads. Was testing different cases, powders etc. All were within the recommended limits. I was using 2 different guns. One load seemed pretty hot for the barrel lengh, but again was within specs.

Do these look OK?

They look just fine to me. More info on guns and specs would help, but:
#2180 has acceptable flattening, #2181 & 2182 have no flattening, #2183 also not flat and the firing pin "craters" look like my Rem 700 308, which is typical of the gun.
I don't see any ejector marks and you didn't mention any extraction signs like resistance opening bolt.
I always work up looking for any of these signs and then choose a lighter load based on combination of good ES and Group size.
Good luck!

 

[Tempest 455]

They look just fine to me. More info on guns and specs would help, but:
#2180 has acceptable flattening, #2181 & 2182 have no flattening, #2183 also not flat and the firing pin "craters" look like my Rem 700 308, which is typical of the gun.
I don't see any ejector marks and you didn't mention any extraction signs like resistance opening bolt.
I always work up looking for any of these signs and then choose a lighter load based on combination of good ES and Group size.
Good luck!

Thanks, for the info.

Based on the limited info I know to look for on the primers, I thought all looked OK except the last the one. That one I was unsure?

The first three are a Savage F/TR .308 rifle. Lapua brass is 43.7g Varget, 175 SMK and is going 2750 FPS. That's the round we are using in the gun.

Pic two and three are virtually same load in the F/TR but Hornday brass.

The last pic is Win brass, 43.0g IMR 4064 in a Savage 10BA. That was 2690 FPS out of a 24" barrel and was faster than my Varget load w/ .5g less powder. It just seemed much hotter and wanted to make sure the firing pin marks looked OK.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

I would probably be cautious about adding more powder but primers are not always a dependable indication of over pressure. Ejector marks and sticky bolt lift tell you to quit adding powder and back down a little.

 

[oldnmkid]

In the process of wringing out my new 25.06 I ran into sticky bolt problems. My primers looked fine, no cratering . No ejector marks. I was really stumped on this one. I finally forgot the primers and started concentrating on loading down by 1/10 of a grain until the sticky bolt problem went away.

 

[918v]

Thanks, for the info.

Based on the limited info I know to look for on the primers, I thought all looked OK except the last the one. That one I was unsure?

The first three are a Savage F/TR .308 rifle. Lapua brass is 43.7g Varget, 175 SMK and is going 2750 FPS. That's the round we are using in the gun.

Pic two and three are virtually same load in the F/TR but Hornday brass.

The last pic is Win brass, 43.0g IMR 4064 in a Savage 10BA. That was 2690 FPS out of a 24" barrel and was faster than my Varget load w/ .5g less powder. It just seemed much hotter and wanted to make sure the firing pin marks looked OK.

IMHO, not OK. Too hot.

 

[Tempest 455]

IMHO, not OK. Too hot.

Could you tell me why in your opinion?

Thanks.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Looks borderline, to me, in a boltgun. I wouldn't be too concerned except for those warm days or letting the sun beat on your ammo as it sits on the bench. Don't know what to think of the last pic? If it was a Remington, almost normal but why not share the primer info with us? BB

 

[918v]

Could you tell me why in your opinion?

Thanks.

Severely cratered primers.

Does that rifle crater primers with factory ammo? A Remmy does but a Savage? I would bac off and seek accuracy closer to 42grs.

 

[Tempest 455]

Severely cratered primers.

Does that rifle crater primers with factory ammo? A Remmy does but a Savage? I would bac off and seek accuracy closer to 42grs.

Good question. I chrono'd some factory Black Hills yesterday and went back and looked. They look fine. Thanks for the feedback, that's why I posted this. As I said, those 43.0g 4064 rounds seemed much hotter (and were on the velocity). I had a good Varget load for the gun but wanted to use some 4064.