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Primer question

Jcalder

Jcalder

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I recently traded for a 243. I finally got some ammo and took it out. After firing a few rounds I noticed that the primers were backed out just a hair. I checked the brass over real good and it's all good with the exception of the primer. I've read on some other forums that it's a low pressure problem. This is factory loaded federal cheap stuff. Any of y'all had these issues
 
Never heard of that problem happening with a factory loaded centerfire rifle? Is the primer actually rising out of the pocket or just flattening out? Hard to imagine rifle ammo loaded to such a low pressure that the primer cup wouldn't expand and grip the pocket?

I suppose that even if this is happening, as long as the ammo functions in your rifle it shouldn't hurt anything.
 
It's just backed out. It not flattened and it doesn't have a rim around the firing pin strike. You can see it and feel it but it was hard to measure. Around .005. I agree tho that with factory ammo it shouldn't be low pressure. I'm gonna try some reloads in it hopefully in a couple weeks and see what happens
 
Never heard of this before.
Take a look at the bolt face. for the primer to back out and not flatten or create that cup around the strike point, it has to have a place to go. Take a new round from the same batch Magic Marker color the primer and surrounding area and then fire it and see if it moves out.
 
DaveB said:
Never heard of this before.
Take a look at the bolt face. for the primer to back out and not flatten or create that cup around the strike point, it has to have a place to go. Take a new round from the same batch Magic Marker color the primer and surrounding area and then fire it and see if it moves out.
Click to expand...

I shot 16 of 20 and all were like this. I talked to some guys at work who have more knowledge than me and they think it's a headspace issue. I agree that is what it sounds like. Maybe on the maximum side. The bolt face is flat and has nowhere for the primers to go into other than the face.
 
If you think it could be a head space. Then compare a fired case with a unfired case paying attention to the shoulders, for that is where they head space. Also try a different brand of ammo. You mite call Federal and see what they think.
 
461EBDB0-052D-4E82-8860-91006A8E9778-3762-000006F1C0F61D61_zps5e7deb94.jpg


Not sure you can see the difference here. But this what is happening
 
I can't see the picture but in my opinion if it were caused by excessive headspace, the case should stretch to fill the chamber when fired. This would leave no space for the primer to move rearward into. Yet, you say it is happening. This is an odd one.

Reminds me of the Arminius 44 Magnum a friend of mine had that would lock the cylinder every time if fired with a handload but functioned perfectly with factory ammo. It didn't matter if it were a light or heavy load, any reload we tried locked the cylinder. Several people looked at it and could never figure it out. He finally solved the problem by trading it in for a rifle.
 
Yep, it headspaces on the shoulder. If you had a headspace problem when you fire it the case would slam back into the bolt face, no place for the primer to pop out like the pictures show. Questions:
1) Will am empty case chamber? (I bet it does with no problems)
2) Extraction of fired cases was routine, no cranking or heavy bolt pull? (I bet it was absolutely routine)
3) If you have a micrometer, check the measurements (you can find them all over the web)and see if you are out of spec, way out. (I bet it is right in spec)
4) If you reload(or know someone who does), can you Full lenth size the fired round without a bunch of huffing and puffing? (I bet it sizes easy)
5) Can you push that primer back into the brass with thumb pressure? How about laying the flat of a screwdrive on it and holding brass in one hand screwdrive in another, press it back in? Next time you fire one as soon as you pull the trigger extract the brass and push it down to reseat the primer when it is hot. (I bet this works)

I'm thinking this brass or that primer is ultra soft because not much else makes any sense at all to me. You say the rifle is accurate and while you did not mention any extract problems by not saying so I rule that out. The round fires, you extract it or leave it in the chamber, and the heated brass or primer is expanding allowing the primer to back out. If you had headspace problems that primer would be extruded like it is.

I would positively email Federal with that picture. Maybe call and get the right department.
 
I'm not sure why it's happening. I've really grown to like this rifle. Hopefully with some reloads it won't happen anymore. I also doubt I run that ammo in it again. I'm gonna find a headspace gauge just to make sure. I also should have taken a resized brass and seen if I could get it to wiggle in the chamber. I did notice that when I loaded some 75 grain pills I couldn't seat them close to the lands. 87 grain bullets I can seat out a bit farther
 
I would bet it is a low pressure load-factory 'lawyer spec' loads. Full pressure loads(not excessive) would eliminate this issue imo. A chronograph would give you an idea of the pressure by observing the velocities.
 

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