Primer issues loading 6.5 CM

[Noahg]

Hello, I am new to the forum, although I’ve enjoyed lurking for some time.
I’m looking for opinions on what caused 2 out of 20 primers to “blow out” today.

My load data:
Case: Hornady, once fired.
Primer: WLR
Powder: Varget, 37.5gn
Projectile: Hornady ELD-M 120gn
Trim length: 1.915”
C.O.L: 2.710”

Cases were full length resized, primer pockets cleaned with a brush, trimmed, chamfered and wet tumbled prior to loading. Any insight greatly appreciated.

 

[tnc]

Man I’m not much help. I don’t think you’re over pressure at all. I run 39.5 of Varget with 130 Bergers so I think your 37.5 and 120s wouldn’t be hot.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Did the primers feel normal when seating them?

 

[Tchitcherine]

Did the primers feel normal when seating them?

Useful: https://ballistictools.com/store/small-and-large-primer-pocket-gauges

 

[supercorndogs]

Wasn't it a batch of WLR large primers that was rupturing right at the corner of cup? Is that not what we are looking at? Its kind if a bad picture.

 

[spife7980]

Wasn't it a batch of WLR large primers that was rupturing right at the corner of cup? Is that not what we are looking at? Its kind if a bad picture.

Wlr and bolt face etching are synonymous IMO

 

[JMGlasgow]

I've used WLR primers for years with no issues using FC, RP, LC, and Alpha brass in my 308. I've only seen that type of leakage when I try to get just 1 more reload out of it and the primer pocket is a little loose.

 

[Noahg]

Did the primers feel normal when seating them?

Yes, none felt loose or too tight or anything and seated just below flush.

 

[Noahg]

I've used WLR primers for years with no issues using FC, RP, LC, and Alpha brass in my 308. I've only seen that type of leakage when I try to get just 1 more reload out of it and the primer pocket is a

Wlr and bolt face etching are synonymous IMO

it did etch the bolt sadly but nothing too crazy

 

[Noahg]

Useful: https://ballistictools.com/store/small-and-large-primer-pocket-gauges

Thank you this seems like something worth having.

 

[Noahg]

Wasn't it a batch of WLR large primers that was rupturing right at the corner of cup? Is that not what we are looking at? Its kind if a bad picture.

I have heard about that, and I’d like to test, just hard to find other options right now!

 

[Jigstick]

Where your cases / pockets completely dry before you seated primers / dumped powder / seated bullets?

Hornady brass is notoriously soft

 

[Noahg]

Where your cases / pockets completely dry before you seated primers / dumped powder / seated bullets?

Hornady brass is notoriously soft

These should have been because I tumbled and prepped them about a month ago, but I do reload in my garage which is not heated all the time. Do you think change in humidity etc would have an effect?

 

[supercorndogs]

Is the leak around the primer, or is there a hole in the cup. I expect a hole in the cup. 37.5 of Varet with a 120 is not a particularly hot load. Brass is 1x fired. I wouldn't expect stretched out pockets. Possible though.

 

[Noahg]

Is the leak around the primer, or is there a hole in the cup. I expect a hole in the cup. 37.5 of Varet with a 120 is not a particularly hot load. Brass is 1x fired. I wouldn't expect stretched out pockets. Possible though.

I haven’t decapped it yet to investigate, but I will tomorrow and post back here.

 

[918v]

These should have been because I tumbled and prepped them about a month ago, but I do reload in my garage which is not heated all the time. Do you think change in humidity etc would have an effect?

No. I vote bad lot of WLR primers.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I've got a bunch of 308 RP cases loaded with some blue box WLRs and I've experienced the same issue.
It also happened in my 7-08 with the same box of primers.
Thankfully I don't have any more of them that aren't the old white box primers

Never had the issue before

 

[Noahg]

As supercorndogs and others suspected, there is a pin hole towards the edge of the primer cup. I’ve also attached pics with what the box looks like, and lot number

 

[JMGlasgow]

I have never seen that before. I guess I've been lucky.