Is slight primer cratering ok?

M

MOJO67

New member
I'm currently using Fed 215M's for my 257Wby load development. At about 1 grain below max, I noticed very slight primer cratering...enough to feel when dragging a fingernail over it.
Other than that, it's the only pressure sign being displayed.
No sticky bolt, primer isn't flat, no ejector marks, etc..
Also, I've heard that Fed 215M's are a little on the soft side. Any truth in to this?

Is this acceptable? My quandry being, this particular load is the most accurate my gun has ever shot, period.

Thanks in advance.
 
you'll be fine. Most likely the firing pin isn't close to the same size as the hole in the bolt, allowing the primer to flow into the hole. This is typical of Remingtons and can be fixed by GreTan for about $75. Not sure what you're shooting, if Weatherby, I don't know if he fixes them or not.

If your primer edges are still round, no ejector marks, no sticky bolt, you're good to go.
 
As bownut said, you're fine. Make sure the primers are not flattening out and there's no brass flowing and you should be fine.
 
I had a REM 700 Mag that used too do that to me all the time even though I was shooting 1/2 grain below max. But, everything else was ok, no sticky bolt or stuff like that. Primers were CCI if it matters any.
 
How do primers in factory loads look? I bet they are slightly cratered too. If not, you may be a bit too hot.

I think Wby factory loads use Fed 215 primers.
 
I have a Rem 700 in .223. It craters everything, handloads hot or not and any factory load I've shot...every cartridge every time it leaves a significant crater.

Pretty good indicator that the firing pin hole is larger than the pin. Never had any problems with it.

As suggested above, maybe try some factory loads or back off your loads and see if you get the cratering.
 
Mojo
Replace the Federal primers with the Remington 7 1/2 they are a bit harder than the federal and you might see better accuracy
also
 
Originally Posted By: cdupuyMojo
Replace the Federal primers with the Remington 7 1/2 they are a bit harder than the federal and you might see better accuracy
also

Uh, aint gonna happen. Rem 7-1/2 is a SMALL rifle match primer

FWIW all the large rifle primers have the same cup thickness, etc.
 
MOJO67,
Funny you posted this very subject as I'm now making adjustments and testing in my .223 load for the same issue. A close friend who has been shooting probably for a million years, noticed that I too was getting that slight cratering with my Federal Match Primers. He suggested I back off slightly in my load starting with 1 grain less and then working up again. He also suggested that the amount of cratering wasn't going to do any damage or harm, but might affect accuracy because I was getting the bullet velocity up too much. Now I know you are shooting a Weatherby and a different caliber and you said that was your most accurate load you've found. So I doubt you'd have any problems continuing to shoot the loads you have. Just thought I'd share my friend's suggestion. BTW, after inspecting the inside of the slightly cratered primers, I saw no ill effects that differ from any other expended uncratered primer I've shot before.
 
I have a Remington that the firing pin hole has a slight champher and leaves a small crater on every round fired no matter what the load is.

Check your bolt face under a magnifying glass to see if that might be the problem.

DAB
 


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