Primers cratering even after spring replaced/ Rem 700-223

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ACES&8S

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Got my gunsmith take the Remington Tactical 700-223 because the primers are cratering
badly then the strikes became too light to crank the bullets.
Ordered a new firing pin and 18-pound spring for either or both he needed.
He replaced the spring and, man, was it in sad shape. Flat on both ends
and worn down. So, her replaced the spring and not the firing pin because
there is no visible wear on it.
I will bet there haven't been more than 200 rounds put thru it in all the time
I have had it, and I got it new. It is one of the most accurate rifles I have but
now it comes back with the same problem it had before, PHOTO INCLUDED
I just looked back and the cratering has been going on, progressively, for
some time. I fireform the cases and keep them till I have enough to reload
so, I had them laid back.
Has anyone else had this problem with the s/a 700?
Or did I lead my gunsmith into thinking the spring was the problem?
Cratering Primers 700 223.JPG
 
Firing pin hole in bolt could be too large.

I agree, Remington has done that in the past, to "better seal" the bolt from gas leaking down the firing pin shaft.

To the OP, cut your loads. Cut your loads by a half a grain till the primers stop cupping. And if possible, chronograph those loads. You might have a tight barrel. I had to cut my Wilson barrel loads in the 223 by over a grain and a half, when I used them in my Kreiger barreled rifle.
 
I agree, Remington has done that in the past, to "better seal" the bolt from gas leaking down the firing pin shaft.
Love to hear your opinion. You have sent some good info my way and even brought one of my rifles
back to life.
That could easily be the problem, the spring he took out looks like it has had pressure put to it, almost
like powder burn, except I can't imagine it getting that far back but it is what it is.
Then again, the hole for the firing pin is obviously too large and could let pressure get backwards if the
action is happening as you suggest is a possibility, could explain the burnt look the original spring has.
Plus, it is flat on both ends like it has been hammered hard into that shape.
Chronograph is the next step, will do.
Mystery abounds, with our Remingtons here lately.
 
No, but cratering modestly, perfectly normal for a factory Rem700 rifle. And no, a stronger FP spring won't fix that.

You could get the bolt bushed, and the pin turned to fit. You'll need a gunsmith, not a parts swapper.
In my gunsmith's defense, he is very good.
My other 700 Rimingtons don't crater any primers.
I am no expert, but the crater looks like it fits the oversize hole perfectly.
Of all the rifles I have this is the only one cratering primers that I have ever seen, I had to look up
the name for it.
I was actually beginning to think a slightly weaker spring might do better, but If I knew the answer I wouldn't
be asking the question.
Thanks for the input.
 
I wouldn’t worry about it. I have a Beretta 92FS that leaves that kind of mark on the primer no matter what make of ammo used, factory or reloads.
 
index.php
A bevel was around the firing pin hole for a couple of years. 2010? Is yours bolt face flat or beveled?

The photos are long gone, thanks to Photobucket. :fire:

Reply from Remington.
Subject
Model 700 bolt face and firing pin.

Discussion Thread
Response (Aaron) 06/08/2010 08:30 AM
Thank you for contacting us. The cratering you are experiencing is from a design in the bolt face, it does not effect any thing in a negative way it is a worry to some because it makes it difficult to read your primers for reloaders. With this said Remington will replace your bolt, follow the instuctions on the web-site for sending your whole gun to us for repair
See post 15 http://www.gunrightsmedia.com/showthread.php?418473-Cratered-primers

Found old photo. full.jpg
 
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Don’t sweat these. You have an oversized pin bore, just like millions and millions of other factory rifles. You’re not flattening primers and it doesn’t appear you’re anywhere near to a pressure which will pierce or rupture your primers - sometimes that crater can separate and stack into your firing pin bore, then eventually jam the striker assy. That’s just an artifact of factory R700’s, kinda like driving down a gravel road and then realizing your car got dusty… just a fact of life. Bush the pin if you really want, but it’s largely much ado about nuthin’ for most rifle owners.
 
I’ve got a Remington Model-7 in ..223 that does the exact same thing.
Don’t sweat it! Beretta does the exact same thing with their fire arms.
As long as they don’t shear off metal from the primer, there is no problem.
Using a CCI #41 primer will mitigate the cratering as it’s a harder milspec primer intended to reduce chance of a slam fire in an automatic rifle.
 
No, but cratering modestly, perfectly normal for a factory Rem700 rifle. And no, a stronger FP spring won't fix that.

You could get the bolt bushed, and the pin turned to fit. You'll need a gunsmith, not a parts swapper.

I don't think I would be too hard on the smith, no matter what you are fixing you always start with the cheap and easy first, and work your way up from there.

I don't know the guy, and one post by the OP says he does know what he is doing. But yes there are a great many people that think they are a gunsmith because they can change the trigger on a 10-22.
 
One reason I became MY OWN gunsmith. Over two decades ago I started tinkering. Maybe 9-10 years ago I turned it up. Because I knew there were things I would need a smith for. Not anymore.
 
Thats a pretty common problem with Remington 700's. The fix is to have a bushing fitted to the bolt and the firing pin diameter matched to the bushing. There is a rifle builder on the Accurateshooter site that does this with a pretty fast turn-around time.
 
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