Loosening Primer Pockets

[ShootDots]

I have had a 6.5 X 284 (2 burned out barrels) and had the problem of "loosening up of the primer pockets".. I solved that problem by using H1000... Great accuracy, excellent velocity and "relatively" long barrel life.. I turned my last 6.5 X 284 into my .284 Shehane.. I have tried H1000 and got good accuracy and excellent velocity, however my E.S.'s were nearing 30f.p.s. That is unacceptable for "waterline" shooting at 1000 yards. I turned to H4831SC. That solved ALL my problems except for 1 thing, it CREATED my dilemma of loosening up primer pockets. I am shooting 56.6grs of H4831SC behind the 180 Scenar "L".. I went from 55.0 to 57.0 grs and did not get excellent accuracy til I hit 56.4grs and at 56.6 it shoots extremely well. E.S.'s are right at 9f.p.s. And the "waterline" is very flat at 1000 yards.

The pressure appears to be non-existent.. After firing, they go into the sizing die like it has already been sized>>super easy. There are ABSOLUTELY no pressure signs, YET my primer pockets are rapidly getting loose.. I should add that according to the Hodgdon Manual,a "standard" .284with a 175gr "hunting bullet", I think (not sure) that they are using a 175 Nosler partition and the "MAX" load is 57.0grs with H4831SC.. I am shooting a Shehane with 3.3grs MORE capacity, shooting 0.4grs UNDER what Hodgdon claims is max for a "regular" .284! and I am STILL loosening up primer pockets.

Does it ever stop? What can I do to stop it or at least slow it down? I am probably going to turn it into a .280 A.I after this barrel burns out.. Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[Chappy]

What primer are you using? If you're using a Federal, try some Russian primers or CCIs.

 

[ShootDots]

What primer are you using? If you're using a Federal, try some Russian primers or CCIs.

I am using a Fed210GM.. I have tried the CCI BR2's.. They are just a loose as the Fed 210's... I can NOT find and Russian primers anywhere.. I actually ordered 5000 from Sinclair. They were supposedly in stock>>>it is STILL listed as "in stock" but I got a cancellation due to being OUT OF STOCK with no backorder allowed..

 

[Chappy]

What primer are you using? If you're using a Federal, try some Russian primers or CCIs.

I am using a Fed210GM.. I have tried the CCI BR2's.. They are just a loose as the Fed 210's... I can NOT find and Russian primers anywhere.. I actually ordered 5000 from Sinclair. They were supposedly in stock>>>it is STILL listed as "in stock" but I got a cancellation due to being OUT OF STOCK with no backorder allowed..

How loose are the pockets? Loose enough that you can prime them with your thumb/table or just feel loose?

 

[ShootDots]

No not that loose Chappy... But they are steadily getting more loose every firing.. I would say, at this rate, I will get 2 more firings>>>and that will be it... Maybe it will stop? I don't know..

 

[Chappy]

I thought I was having that problem with my .25-06. It got to a point where I thought for sure the brass was scrap. Just kept checking primer diameter to primer pocket diameter. Still have about 1.5 thou of tension on the primer. Who knows.

 

[jonbearman]

Hey Benjamin, you can get Russian primers from PVI. They have quite a few in stock.

 

[Erik Cortina]

You can always switch to N165. I have been loading ammo all week for the Nationals and I could not believe how tight my primer pockets are after three firings. They feel just as tight as new brass. I should get 6-8 firings out of my brass with no issues.

And the "waterline" is very flat at 1000 yards

Ben, "waterline" is always flat as it is an imaginary horizontal line a cross the center of the target. You meant your vertical is very flat at 1000 yards, which is a good thing.

 

[ShootDots]

Hey Jon! I tried but NO L/R at Powder Valley...They have S/R Russian primers BUT not L/R... Thanks..

Erik>>>Yes I mean I have a small (tight) vertical at 1000 yards.. I use the term "waterline" to show that my vertical is pretty "flat"...

 

[Erik Cortina]

Ben, I would take 75 - 100 pieces of brass and use them exclusively from now on with H4831 SC. This will allow you to keep shooting your gun and also find out for sure how many firing you will get with H4831 while only "sacrificing" 100 pcs. of brass in the process. You may find out that you can actually get more firings out of the brass than you think, as many are using H4831 in their Shehanes.

 

[ShootDots]

Ben, I would take 75 - 100 pieces of brass and use them exclusively from now on with H4831 SC. This will allow you to keep shooting your gun and also find out for sure how many firing you will get with H4831 while only "sacrificing" 100 pcs. of brass in the process. You may find out that you can actually get more firings out of the brass than you think, as many are using H4831 in their Shehanes.

As a matter of fact Erik, I am doing just that... I have one (100 pack) for the H4831SC and another "dedicated" 100 for a load that developed with IMR 7828.. I am going to alternate (one month H4831SC / next month IMR 7828) To see if I can gain some additional longevity from the 7828... I will find something out by Spring I am sure..

 

[swampshooter]

Ben, the Wolf brand primers that I just started using are quite a bit larger in diameter than my CCI's or Fed's. Maybe by the time your pockets get too large for American primers you could get some Russian primers and keep using that brass. I just got 2,000 Wolf primers from Powder Valley about a month ago.

Bill Batson

 

[jsthntn247]

Ben I'm having the same problem in my f/tr gun. Primer pockets get too loose after a few firings with no pressure signs, primers are still round after firing. Really depressing to turn necks and do all the prep to the brass to throw it away after 4 firings.

 

[Down South]

What primer are you using? If you're using a Federal, try some Russian primers or CCIs.

I am using a Fed210GM.. I have tried the CCI BR2's.. They are just a loose as the Fed 210's... I can NOT find and Russian primers anywhere.. I actually ordered 5000 from Sinclair. They were supposedly in stock>>>it is STILL listed as "in stock" but I got a cancellation due to being OUT OF STOCK with no backorder allowed..

Ben, If you are coming anywhere near here let me know (Lafayette area)........I can let you have a couple thousand Tula Large Rifle magnum primers or Wolf standard large rifle primers to try.........I have both.

 

[clowdis]

Sounds like the same problem that I'm having with IMR 4320 in a Palma rifle. Even though it loads out the same as Varget it creates considerable more chamber pressure than Varget and I'm suddenly finding a bunch of loose primer pockets.

 

[jpretle]

I am wondering if you guys are measuring case head expansion or using visual for detecting pressure signs.
Measuring your case heads just ahead of the extractor groove before and after the firing will tell you more than a visual inspection. Your measurement must be done in the same place each time to get a true measurement of head expansion.

 

[mysticplayer]

What brand of brass are you using?

Jerry

 

[nosualc]

Does anybody else use pin gauges to check primer pockets after firing?

I forget what the exact SAAMI specs are for LR/SR, but once a SAMMI spec max + .001 gauge slips in I figure they're trash.

-nosualc

 

[ShootDots]

Hey Guys... I have been trying to get the "Wolf / Tulas" for awhile.. I believe they would enhance the longevity of my cases. Jade, if this shortage still persists, I will be there for the Spring deal you will have coming up, I could buy them from you then if you still have them.... I appreciate the offer.. I ordered 5000 Wolf L/R primers from Sinclair last week and got the invoice emailed and it showed "In Stock" (still does by the way on their web site) but as they shipped (I received the shipment yesterday) I got a cancellation notice that they are "Not in Stock" and can not be backordered! I was not happy about that one>>>but it is what it is... Weideners has them in stock BUT the order taker lady stated I have to scan my drivers license and download it and email a copy to them to prove I am over 21>>>then they will ship powder and or primers... I do not have that capability>>nor the techno-savvy to know what in blazes I am doing on a computer!

 

[ShootDots]

What brand of brass are you using?

Jerry

I am using Lapua "Gold Box" 6.5 x 284 brass and I am necking up..