.204 Ruger cratered primers

[ChosenFrozen]

I have two .204 Rugers, a CZ 527 Varmint and a model 700 SPS Varmint. I am not running what I would call a hot load, 28.5 gr Reloader 15, 32 gr V-max, CCI primers. Don't know velocity, as I don't have a chrony. The CZ craters primers on one side and the Rem just craters them. I will be dropping the powder back a bit. I was wandering if anyone else has had this happen as well with loads that are more than a grain under max and if it has different results in different rifles.

 

[Dans40X]

Bush the bolt faces & carry on w/ load development.

 

[jo191145]

CCI ?

400's are thin and prone to crater. 450's are thicker and better suited.

Quite a common problem lately with many rifles. Some with even the thicker primers.
You could get them bushed. Many folks have learned to live with it.
It seems to be the general consesus that as long as your not hotrodding to the extremes its not a serious problem. Every situation is unique of course. You need to use your best judgment.

Remington "at one time" issued the statement they intentionally designed thier small bore centerfires to crater primers. Thier contention was that it allowed the primer material to flow into that area lessing the chance of failure.
Not sure I buy that and its since been retracted.

 

[Joe O]

Take pics. (Make sure it's factory ammo) and send them to customer service.Too many guns coming out with poor quality control.Savage replaced the bolt head on my LRPV,after seeing the pic I sent,and ordered a UPS pick up the next day.

 

[fdshuster]

CCI400 cups are .020" thick and the 450's and BR4's are .025". I use the 400's for light to moderate loads only, and not in the AR's where I've found them to occasionally slam fire. CCI also make the Nato spec primers # 41 (small rifle) and # 34, large rifle, so the #41 may also be an option.