Blanking primers

[mike a]

The new Lapua 6.5 creedmoor brass and my Ruger precision rifle don't mix. Craters and blanks even with not so hot loads. Firing pin bushing time. I sort of expected this. Just a heads up.

 

[dkhunt14]

It won't hurt to bush it. I bet the short headspace of the case caused it. Especially if it didn't do it before and you used the same primers. Matt

 

[mike a]

It won't hurt to bush it. I bet the short headspace of the case caused it. Especially if it didn't do it before and you used the same primers. Matt

This is virgin brass with the small rifle primer. I have never fired small primers in this rifle. I've worked the necks to get proper tension but not bumped nor checked headspace. You think now that it's once fired i.e. Fire Formed I should try again?

 

[Ketosan]

This is virgin brass with the small rifle primer. I have never fired small primers in this rifle. I've worked the necks to get proper tension but not bumped nor checked headspace. You think now that it's once fired i.e. Fire Formed I should try again?

I had a similar issue with the first 100 pieces of Lapua small primer that I loaded--not hot loads--

Had two primer craters with the first 15 rounds fired--

The primer pockets were "snug" when I initially seated the primers--so I thought maybe I did not get the primers fully seated--so reseated the remainder of the 85 rounds and did not have any further issues. Have not reloaded this brass yet but will pay more attention to primer seating depth. Do have more virgin brass so will be interesting to see how that behaves?

 

[rardoin]

This is virgin brass with the small rifle primer. I have never fired small primers in this rifle. I've worked the necks to get proper tension but not bumped nor checked headspace. You think now that it's once fired i.e. Fire Formed I should try again?

No problem with my RPR and the new brass even on warm loads (using Wolf magnum primers). I am thinking like Matt; the fireformed brass I bet will be fine. I will say that my barrel is not factory and I set my headspace on the shorter side to more closely coincide with the length at the .400" datum of my existing loaded brass. This was 0.004" (IIRC) shorter than the factory chamber. Are the primers 'top hatting' at all?

BTW...I did not bush my FP, bolt is all stock except the shroud.

 

[mike a]

No problem with my RPR and the new brass even on warm loads (using Wolf magnum primers). I am thinking like Matt; the fireformed brass I bet will be fine. I will say that my barrel is not factory and I set my headspace on the shorter side to more closely coincide with the length at the .400" datum of my existing loaded brass. This was 0.004" (IIRC) shorter than the factory chamber. Are the primers 'top hatting' at all?

BTW...I did not bush my FP, bolt is all stock except the shroud.

I hope, I hope. I really want to use Lapua brass. Never had any trouble with Hornady brass, 10 firings. I'm using cci 400s and have 1k BR4s on the way. I'll post some pictures of the blanks tonight. Also I'm going to reload the now once fired brass. Starting a little lighter charge. Top Hatted is a new term for me. Thanks Mike.

 

[BRU15]

Haven't had an issue with small rifle primers in either of my RPR's using Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor or Lapua 308 Palma converted to 6 XC.

 

[243winxb]

cci 400

Change primers. Mine flow with midrange loads in 223.

 

[mike a]

I said I'd post some pictures. The first pic is virgin Unfired. You can see the left one is badly cratered, the middle fully blanked/ pierced and right is deeply dented. So without any shoulder bump I reloaded these now once fired pieces. 40.5 grains imr4350 and 143 eld-x. See picture #2. One shot only. Again fully pierced. Damn. Anyway the only thing I can come up with is I noticed the primers are .008 below the surface of the head. They are not crushed for sure just seated to bottom out. There's no ejector mark, a little swipping, bolt handle lifted easy. My normal charge for this bullet is 41.6 imr4350. Primers are cci 400. Expanding, skim turning about 90% and a .290 bushing giving about .002 n/t. Also looks like the firing pin sticks out rather far. Maybe I'll take my Dremel to it. Ha ha, Frustrated in the desert Mike

 

[expiper]

check your main spring tension,,,it may be on the weak side allowing the primer cup to flow back around the fireing pin and cause the blanking ,,,,Roger

 

[edw]

I had similiar problems but all gone after I had Gre-Tan rifles put a bushing in my bolt. My load is 41.9 H4350 with 450s

 

[243winxb]

Now you need a new firing pin, as its gas cut now. Change primer brand first.
Then clean out the firing pin channel of primer pieces.

 

[mike a]

Now you need a new firing pin, as its gas cut now. Change primer brand first.
Then clean out the firing pin channel of primer pieces.

Well just cheer me up will you! It's going to Gre-Tan.

 

[jlow]

I hope, I hope. I really want to use Lapua brass. Never had any trouble with Hornady brass, 10 firings. I'm using cci 400s and have 1k BR4s on the way. I'll post some pictures of the blanks tonight. Also I'm going to reload the now once fired brass. Starting a little lighter charge. Top Hatted is a new term for me. Thanks Mike.

One big problem I see upfront is you are using CCI 400. These primers are well known to have thin cups and they do not take any pressure to start giving you problems. I would say try the BR4s first and see if it goes away.

 

[Jhayesvw]

I've been wondering if these will pierce primers or not.
I've been looking at the Alpha Munitions brass because it's a large primer. I'd like to buy 200 pieces and use up the barrel with them.
Guess I'll have to try them to know.

 

[DHuffman]

Gre Tan will straighten it out. I run 450's and BR 4's in my Lapua Palma Creedmoor converts.

 

[dkhunt14]

Gre Tan will straighten it out. I run 450's and BR 4's in my Lapua Palma Creedmoor converts.

The BR4 and the 450 have thicker harder cups, they will blank not blank as quick. I can't shoot federal, CCI 400 in my BAT Dasher. They will blank. Here is a thickness chart. Matt

FEDERAL 200 .019
FEDERAL 205m .0225
CCI 400 .020
CCI 450 .025
CCI BR4 .025

 

[DHuffman]

The BR4 and maybe the 450 have thicker harder cups they will blank as quick as some. I can't shoot federal, CCI 400 in my BAT Dasher. They will blank. Matt

They'll all blank if your firing pin channel is sloppy and/or you firing pin needs radiused or the protrusion adjusted.

Edit: I'm referring to small primer brass, this gets argued daily on several forums.

 

[dkhunt14]

They'll all blank if your firing pin channel is sloppy and/or you firing pin needs radiused or the protrusion adjusted.

I agree but the Federal and the 400 will even blank in actions with tight firing pins. They will not hold up to high pressure. Matt

 

[DHuffman]

The BR4 and the 450 have thicker harder cups, they will blank quicker. I can't shoot federal, CCI 400 in my BAT Dasher. They will blank. Here is a thickness chart. Matt

FEDERAL 200 .019
FEDERAL 205m .0225
CCI 400 .020
CCI 450 .025
CCI BR4 .025

Why do you say the thicker br4 and 450 primers will blank quicker? My experience has been the opposite.