smashed primers

[skeeter@ccia.com]

A friend of mine ask why his 264 bolt rifle at various times punches a hole through the primer when fired. Said he had exchanged it with the manufacturer once. Any suggestions other than the pin being too long? Thanks in advance.

[wrenchman]

are these ony hand loads or does it happen all the time

[Jack]

A rough or pitted firing pin is one possible cause. Too much firing pin protrusion, as you've mentioned.
Excessively hot handloads is another.
Without a whole lot more information about the rifle make, loads, etc. I can't make any more specific a guess.

[GoodOlBoy]

I would have to guess hot loads on that one. If so he is way above SAAMI spec on the loads.

goodOlBoy

[wrenchman]

I was thinking the same thing about hot loads just becouse you read a book that says you can do it does not mean you should start there.
I have a frind that was loading elmer keith loads for his 44 mag and every thing we read we thought we could do it with no problim so he made test loads starting on the light side and working up long time efore we got to to load we were geting flat primers and leter we didnt shoot the rest.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

He did state hand loads mostly but I think he said factory had done the same a few times. I will pass this info on and thanks for reply.

[buckhunter]

I'd say to hot of a load. Usually the case.

[PJgunner]

The hole in the bolt for the firing pin just might be a hair larger than it should be. I have a Remington 700 30-06 that craters primers even with light cast bullet loads. The hole in the bolt is too big. So far it's just ratering the primers but even factory ammo is deeply cratered. never can tell when one might finally punch through.
Paul B.

[Catfish]

All of the above plus if the primer pockets have ever been reamed the may not be holding the primer in place.

[skeet]

What catfish said.... about primer pockets.. I sold a well used Ruger 77 in 25-06. Guy loaded em a bit hot. then swaged the primer pockets or something. Blew 3 primers..Another thing that may be happening. Some chambers are cut a mite short...Could be running very high pressures because the bullet is into the lands. A friend blew a primer and locked the gun lightly by having the bullets seated too far out in a 22-250. We seated the bullets a bit deeper and voila..it was all ok. We did check the loads first. He is a very careful guy reloading and just forgot the OAL is sometimes critical

[skeeter@ccia.com]

A little more info. Winchester 264 mag Bolt Mod 70. Said using Hodgdon powder. Calls for 63g max load but only load from 59g down and has this problem now and then with hole in primer after fire even with factory loads so is not just too hot reloads..thanks again in advance.

[GoodOlBoy]

If it is doing it even with factory loads Skeet may be onto something with the short chamber.

Also it is important WHICH hodgdon powder and how much he is reducing the load. And for the love of God I hope he is not using load data for "hodgdon" powder with just any old can labeled hodgdon. IE if you were to cross the load between H1000 and H4895. They are both hodgdon powders, but drastically different.

GoodOlBoy

[Jack]

When the 264 Win came out, it was loaded from the factory with a 2 diameter bullet. The shank of the bullet that was in the case neck was full diameter. The section of bullet exposed was slightly smaller, so as not to contact the lands.
I am wondering if some of the newer 264 diameter bullets aren't made that way. If so, they might be jamming in the lands at the throat of the barrel, radically increasing pressure.

[Larryjk]

Did your friend buy his .264 new? If it was a used rifle, you cannot know what happened to it before it went back on the market. If a rifle has been piercing primers, the tip might be "flame cut". Instead of having a perfectly round profile, it may be more like a "semi'wadcutter" in profile. That would cause it to continually pierce primers. The only solution to that is a new firing pin. It would be wise to remove the firing pin and carefully and inspect the tip for damage.

[Ol` Joe]

Did your friend buy his .264 new? If it was a used rifle, you cannot know what happened to it before it went back on the market. If a rifle has been piercing primers, the tip might be "flame cut". Instead of having a perfectly round profile, it may be more like a "semi'wadcutter" in profile. That would cause it to continually pierce primers. The only solution to that is a new firing pin. It would be wise to remove the firing pin and carefully and inspect the tip for damage.


Very possible answer to the problem.
If the primers have pierced before there is a good chance the tip of the striker is eroded and causing trouble.

[Ridge Runner]

which Hodgdon powder? and what were the conditions when it happened? could be tempature related pressure variations.
RR