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Accuracy International AT first pierced primer

alexander66

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2004
139
12
Fernley, Nevada 89408
Just experienced my first pierced primer on my AI AT rifle in 6.5 C with factory Hornady 140 ELD Match. Indication that something was wrong was the firing pin would not drop when I pulled the trigger. I cycled the bolt twice and everything cleared up. It was after when inspecting the spent cases that noted the one pierced primer. All of the 19 cases looked normal of the 20 rounds fired. The pierced primer case does show a slight ejector marking on the head. Additionally, this rifle never showed any indication on cratering at all. I have about 65 rounds on this barrel, my other barrels in 308 is just fine with 250 rounds on the barrel. My bolt is the fluted. Should I be conserved about this?
 
Make sure to pull your firing pin and dump the primer cup from the bolt body. It will cause light strikes in the future.....ask me how I know.
 
do what Dag suggested...you can also turn your firing pin in a 1/2 turn and it will likely help since yours doesnt seem to be doing it often

other option is sending it off to get turned down and bushed for $250
 
It's not the residue you need to clean. It's the chunk of metal from the pierced primer cup. If you leave it in there it will obstruct the firing pin (like you experienced) when you need it to go bang.
 
Just experienced my first pierced primer on my AI AT rifle in 6.5 C with factory Hornady 140 ELD Match. Indication that something was wrong was the firing pin would not drop when I pulled the trigger. I cycled the bolt twice and everything cleared up. It was after when inspecting the spent cases that noted the one pierced primer. All of the 19 cases looked normal of the 20 rounds fired. The pierced primer case does show a slight ejector marking on the head. Additionally, this rifle never showed any indication on cratering at all. I have about 65 rounds on this barrel, my other barrels in 308 is just fine with 250 rounds on the barrel. My bolt is the fluted. Should I be conserved about this?

What year manufacture is your rifle?
 
I have 630 rounds total of Prime and the Hornady 140 through my AT without any issues

I am still wondering why it is an issue for some and not for others?

My AT was purchased in 2015
 
Yes, I got the primer cup out. My rifle was purchased in early 2015. Other than this one issue, the rifle is superb.

Do you know if your rifle has the small primer set up/?I think the change over was after 2014 to bolts made to handle small primers.. Somewhere on here I'm pretty sure I saw the actual serial number designations?Not at home so I can't look at my bolt and see if I can tell just looking at my bolt compared to my other 308 rifle bolts, the differnce as I know it is set up for small primers( Bought it last June/2016.