Older Winchester primers (flame cutting)?

[vonb]

Some time back 12-15 years ago, there was quite a bit of talk of Winchester primers being brittle/cracking and causing flame cutting on bolt faces.

Was this limited to the brass colored primer cups or did this apply to the nickel cups as well?
Also, did this apply to all sizes of primers or just a certain size?

 

[243winxb]

In 2013, the large rifle primers were blowing out on the side of the primers. Produced a pock marked bolt face.

A loose , oversize primer pocket may leak gas on firing. Looks about the same.

 

[pdhntr]

Some time back 12-15 years ago, there was quite a bit of talk of Winchester primers being brittle/cracking and causing flame cutting on bolt faces.

Was this limited to the brass colored primer cups or did this apply to the nickel cups as well?
Also, did this apply to all sizes of primers or just a certain size?

Date wise could be before 12-15 years, so take it for what it is worth.

I do remember very well getting a bunch of Winchester large rifle primers that were smaller in diameter than the previous ones I was using.

Caused a fair amount of damage to bolts and brass while I used them. Finally got rid of them and although they have likely fixed the problem, I have never fired another Winchester primer.

Jim

 

[Gary in MD]

Does anyone know the lot numbers on the "defective" primers ?

 

[hpshooter]

My older plated WLRP gave no trouble, I had several of the non plated WLRP primers that were manufactured after the plated ones fail. At one point in time the lot numbers of the problem primers were on the web and possibly posted here. Have not personally had trouble with any of the other size non plated Winchester primers fail in rifle or pistol cartridges.

 

[powderbrake]

I had this problem in 2014 with Win LR primers. (Lot # CNL589G)
Winchester replaced my primers and covered the cost of having the bolt face repaired by GreTan.
Good thing I record lot numbers of all the components and print them on the box label.

The primers failed at the radius on the corner.

 

[Homerange]

FWIW, a few years back I saw a few Win LR primers fail but only in hot loads however exactly how hard they need be pushed beyond printed loads is another unknown. None were mine....phew !
Multiples in each:
270
6mm Rem
7mm Practical (7mm/300WM)

 

[vonb]

I might be off on my years by stating 12-15 years. It may have been in the 2013 time frame. I've always steered away from Win primers since then. However, the winds of change have "changed" and I now have some of the older Win non-plated primers. I've been reluctant to use them due the radius corner being weak.

I'm trying to make a judgement call as to whether to use them. I'm not interested in fixing bolt faces if I don't have to.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I might be off on my years by stating 12-15 years. It may have been in the 2013 time frame. I've always steered away from Win primers since then. However, the winds of change have "changed" and I now have some of the older Win non-plated primers. I've been reluctant to use them due the radius corner being weak.

I'm trying to make a judgement call as to whether to use them. I'm not interested in fixing bolt faces if I don't have to.

If in question, don't use them. I had a few of the Winchester LRP burn my boltfaces. I quit using them. If I still have some laying around in I'll see if I can find a lot number. I have to head out of town right now.

 

[358WCF]

I've had 2 lots of Fed. 210s fail like this at the radius. Federal doesn't care. At least WW stepped up & paid for the repairs. The lot #s are: 1A 7743 & 8A 5746.

I use more WLRs than anything & have never had a problem. From 8 1/2-120s to light grey/red box to blue box & I even have some of the new red/black box. Guess I'm just lucky?

Some bad WLR lot #s throughout the thread here...

What causes this?

I stole this pic from another forum but my 243 Win is doing this with WLR primers. I was burning some ammo the other day and in 10 rounds I had 2 do t...

www.24hourcampfire.com

 

[jpjulian]

Those photos show much of what many of us in the highpower community experienced about 20 or so years ago. I had Winchester primers pierce or leak gas in 3 different rifles. Fortunately not much damage to my bolt faces but did need to replace a firing pin IIRC. I swore them off, but those were different times. I've been tempted to try them again with today's primer shortages.

 

[jepp2]

Was this limited to the brass colored primer cups

The failure I had was the brass colored cup. But I also have experienced failures with the older white box Rem 9 1/2, and older and newer Rem 7 1/2 primers. On the 7 1/2 primers, having a primer pocket that was not as tight exacerbated the failures.

 

[D-4297]

For what it's worth ; I've been using the Rem 7-1/2's for about five years now , with no issues whatsoever . Load is for .308 , VV N-150 pushing a 185 Berger . Also got some of the newer Win LRP's and they have worked , without any issues in S&B 7.62 x 54r cases .

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I have a beautiful, spotless 30.06 A series Sako Deluxe with a nice marked up bolt face because of them

 

[cosmic creepers]

Some time back 12-15 years ago, there was quite a bit of talk of Winchester primers being brittle/cracking and causing flame cutting on bolt faces.

Was this limited to the brass colored primer cups or did this apply to the nickel cups as well?
Also, did this apply to all sizes of primers or just a certain size?

That is funny out guys mention this. I bought some old stock of winchester WLR primers not long ago off of the internet due to the shortage.

I have had a large handful of them split open and my bolt face is a little buggered from it. I was curious if it was because the bolt face already had pockmarks in it or if it was the old primers.

I had failed to inspect the bolt face or make not of any pocking, which means it most likely was unmarred when I bought it.

Interesting. I wonder if Winchester would swap me for ones that don't do that as a recall issue. They all go bang. But I get a split one maybe one in 20.

And my loads are absolutely on the lower end of the pressure spectrum, ie. Like three full grains from published maximum

 

[cosmic creepers]

I had this problem in 2014 with Win LR primers. (Lot # CNL589G)
Winchester replaced my primers and covered the cost of having the bolt face repaired by GreTan.
Good thing I record lot numbers of all the components and print them on the box label.

The primers failed at the radius on the corner.
View attachment 1526707

Mine are DLL824G and they do it and have done damage to my bolt face.

How easy were they to get ahold of and deal with?

 

[cosmic creepers]

I might be off on my years by stating 12-15 years. It may have been in the 2013 time frame. I've always steered away from Win primers since then. However, the winds of change have "changed" and I now have some of the older Win non-plated primers. I've been reluctant to use them due the radius corner being weak.

I'm trying to make a judgement call as to whether to use them. I'm not interested in fixing bolt faces if I don't have to.

Dont use them!! I didn't even know this was a problem until recent. It isn't worth it

 

[Dgd6mm]

Dont use them!! I didn't even know this was a problem until recent. It isn't worth it

I have some if them leftover from those days. I will not use them. You are correct, they're not worth using and taking the chance of scarring your boltface.