F-TR 308- small or large primer?

[Sling]

Which one you running in your F-TR 308? I have read that most F-TR shooters are switching to the Palma 308 brass which is the small rifle primer. How come?

 

[Scott Harris]

I'm not sure "most" are switching, but the primary reason is the expectation of better brass life because the primer pockets will remain tight for longer. Some claim lower ES/SD numbers with small primer brass, but not all agree with that claim. I would not use small primer brass if you will be shooting in cold weather. I use small primer brass myself since I live in phoenix and keep larger primer brass for hunting.

 

[mysticplayer]

Good ole Win brass for me.

Works great, lots of case capacity, strong ENOUGH.

For loading to a max of 62 to 65,000psi, most any quality LP brass will work

If your goal is to load beyond that, the palma may offer an advantage but be careful what you wish for...

Forget about SP brass if operating temps are cool

Jerry

 

[Sling]

I understand the small primer wouldn`t ignite the powder reliably in very cold temps but how cold you talking about?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I certainly haven't switched to the small primer Palma brass.

 

[broncman]

I might can understand tighter primer pockets, but higher pressure capabilities? An ejector flow mark is an ejector flow mark.... With the heavies I was trying, the load would occasionly get slight ejector marks if it got hot but never any sooty or peirced primers.

Would small primers stop the ejector marks? Doubt it...but I switched back to 185's and a safer load.

I guess keeping the primer pockets tighter longer is the draw to smaller pockets as my ES in the new load is very low with the big primers.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I get over 8 loadings with the large primered Lapua brass. By that time, I'm already ordering a new barrel. How many more loads could I expect with the small primer brass?

 

[Steve Blair]

Denys, [br]
I have one lot of Palma cases with 14 firings whose primer pockets are still tight. I do not overload the brass but they are full pressure loads. When tuned properly, Palma brass will reduce the ES ~2-3 fps relative to standard brass. My lots hold about .5 grains more water, too. [br]
The correct solution for ejector marks is a solid bolt face with no ejector. Seriously, some bolts, like Remington, have very large diameter ejectors that produce marks well below full pressure. Some custom actions, like Borden and BAT, have small diameter ejectors that do the job and are much less prone to extrusion into the ejector hole. Some also move the ejector about 1/2 off the bolt face, minimizing the available extrusion area.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Steve, thanks for the info. I usually roll out the barrel by 5000 rounds, which means 8-10 loads for the amount of brass I buy with each new barrel. But your observations are valuable and my change my mind for the next barrel/brass combo.

Since I do not have an ejector on my bolt face, my brass is immune to ejector marks.

 

[XTR]

For those reading this thinking you can torque it up don't think you can't toast small primer brass. I was experimenting with 215s earlier this yr and I tossed 60 cases after one firing. When the primers fall out on into the priming tool before you get them into the tray there isn't much to decide.

 

[mysticplayer]

For those reading this thinking you can torque it up don't think you can't toast small primer brass. I was experimenting with 215s earlier this yr and I tossed 60 cases after one firing. When the primers fall out on into the priming tool before you get them into the tray there isn't much to decide.

2 possible solutions:

There is a Loctite you can use

Ream out the pocket and call it large rifle primer brass

Jerry

Note: This was for entertainment purposes only. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME