6.5cm is cratering SRP OK?

[johnfkingmatrix]

I went down the rabbit hole thinking small rifle primer had potential for 6.5cm due to components i have.

bought 150rd starline SRP and laddered it behind 142g SMK 44-45g Hunter & br4 primers.
cratered right from the lowest load, no stickiness /imprints or accuracy issues, nothing popping or bulging. as i went up the cratering didnt increase in severity, just a ~mm ridge along firing pin dent.
howa oryx which is weatherby vanguard i believe

Is it ok to just proceed like this? i don't want to have to chase the dragon here just to use Srp but trashing 150rd new brass would suck

thank you for insights!

 

[rijndael]

I use SRP exclusively in my 6.5CM, albeit with Lapua brass, I have no cratering. I suspect your issue is related to your equipment (pin hole issue?) and not an inherent issue with this caliber and SRP.

 

[STOMP442]

Let me guess, Savage action? Switch to the 450's you will have better results. They are a bit tougher.

 

[rijndael]

Switch to the 450's

Good point. I use 450s.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I went down the rabbit hole thinking small rifle primer had potential for 6.5cm due to components i have.

bought 150rd starline SRP and laddered it behind 142g SMK 44-45g Hunter & br4 primers.
cratered right from the lowest load, no stickiness /imprints or accuracy issues, nothing popping or bulging. as i went up the cratering didnt increase in severity, just a ~mm ridge along firing pin dent.

Is it ok to just proceed like this? i don't want to have to chase the dragon here just to use Srp but trashing 150rd new brass would suck

thank you for insights!

Any pics of the cratering primers?

 

[johnfkingmatrix]

Any pics of the cratering primers?

will post later tonight! its howa oryx which is the weatherby vanguard or howa 1500 iirc

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Good point. I use 450s.

Maybe REM 7 1/2 if more available.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I think the BR2's and 450's have the same cup.
Except for the little "B"

picture of the primers?

 

[johnfkingmatrix]

thank you for your patience.

what do you think after looking at pics?

 

[Frankm]

Primers on edges are still round… I think as posted above firing pin fit and/or use on small primer. Did you get same issue, maybe somewhat lesser degree, when you were using LR with same load?

 

[johnfkingmatrix]

this is the first time ive encountered it. it definitely seems to be tied in with the SRP, which, ultimately , leaves me wondering if i can proceed as is like its no big deal?
wasn't sure what the rule or potential damage to hardware is here

 

[Straightshooter1]

thank you for your patience.

what do you think after looking at pics?

Let me guess. . . you're using CCI-400's??? These have thinner cups than others, making them more susceptible to cratering and piercing. BR4's tend to be a little thicker, but still may be the issue???

I don't see anything really wrong there, as long at they're not being pierced. Like other's have suggested, I feel you should try some other primers like Remington 7 1/2's.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Primer and load dependent. Those aren't really craters in my view. I load hot and my ridge lines along the primer are higher. I use 450's on 6.5 CM. What catches my eye is the inconsistent firing pin strike location. Looks like a big firing pin hole in that bolt.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Load is ok, but as mentioned several times, most likely the FP hole is too large. Needs to be bushed to fit FP. Do a search for bushing firing pin. You should get lots of hits with the gunsmiths who fix this problem.

Frank

 

[johnfkingmatrix]

it is br4

ok good info, thanks all.
final question would be, if I don't Bush it and keep proceeding as is, what happens?

what do i gain from bushing it other than the spent primers looking more uniform

 

[Bc'z]

it is br4

ok good info, thanks all.
final question would be, if I don't Bush it and keep proceeding as is, what happens?

what do i gain from bushing it other than the spent primers looking more uniform

Your likely not to pierce 1, where if you don't it very well may happen

 

[Old Navy]

it is br4

ok good info, thanks all.
final question would be, if I don't Bush it and keep proceeding as is, what happens?

what do i gain from bushing it other than the spent primers looking more uniform

It will get worst.

 

[markm87]

That much primer flow without any swipes is of not concern to me. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[HTSmith]

Was that the first firing of new brass? I've had that happen to me with new brass (.008" short headspace). Resized to .002"shoulder bump and the next firing had no issues. For some reason the Rem 7 1/2 seems to be the best at resisting cratering (as someone said before). Good luck.

 

[johnfkingmatrix]

yes it was indeed first firing of starline brass, but i did FL size it, first