Read my pressure signs...

[Colorado S14]

So, I read this article and it got me thinking more about pressure signs.
https://www.primalrights.com/library/articles/understanding-pressure

I was just out at the range last week working up some loads with 80gr. ELDM and H4895 in my 224 Valkyrie AR. I stopped at about 24.5gr of powder due to heavier ejector marks and cratering around the firing pin mark. Through my 18" barrel that was only 2682 fps. My question is what do you guys think about these and am I being too sensitive to the pressure signs here?

23 Grains

23.5 Grains

24 Grains

24.5 Grains

 

[Huskydriver]

Def look overpressure to me. This coming out of a gas gun or bolt?

 

[Colorado S14]

Def look overpressure to me. This coming out of a gas gun or bolt?

Gas AR. Edited the first post to reflect cartridge and gun.

 

[Precision Underground]

Def don't want to see that much of an ejector mark. But Fed brass has always seemed really soft to me so you could prob do more with something else.

 

[Huskydriver]

Primer cup still looks pretty round but with that amount of ejector flow you are probably going to have really short brass life. Have you measured how much the shoulder is stretching after firing?

 

[Colorado S14]

Not yet, I have to buy the tool still.

 

[Colorado S14]

Not yet, I have to buy the tool still.

Doh, nevermind I have the tools. The case is barely stretching, maybe .015. With that said, the primer pockets in 224V are toast well before anything else. I have yet to trim a single case beyond my initial trim.

 

[Huskydriver]

.015 is a huge stretch honestly for brass but not abnormal for a gas gun. Watch out for case head separation warnings

 

[crunchy]

The ejector marks look worse than the primer. Try different primer just for giggles?

 

[pabrousseau]

the primer suggests that pressure is not excessive. you say primer pockets are toast. if you mean expanded loose pockets I'd think the brass is very soft.