Picked up a new Tikka Lite in .243 a few weeks ago and have been working up a load since using CCI primers, Remington brass and H4350 powder. I loaded up 5 rounds each of 37.5grs, 38grs., 38.5grs., 39.0grs. and 39.5grs. (40grs. was max). I only fired the first 15 rounds as the temps were in the mid 30's and I couldn't tell if the groups were bad or if it was me shaking from the cold. When I got back to the house and started cleaning the gun I noticed a small crevice in the bolt face. At first I thought it was a scratch but when checking the brass I found one that had burn marks around the primer. None of the brass felt overly loose when I installed the primers and they were installed by hand using one of the RCBS priming tools. I also way each load twice (once by beam scale and then by digital Dillon) so I'm almost positive that there wasn't any excessive load in this round. In over 20 years of reloading I've never had a bolt face damaged by gases coming from the primer and wondering if this could be caused by a loose primer or something else. The hole in the bolt face is about the size of a pin head wide and about 1/4 that deep. Should I look at replacing this bolt or is this more cosmetic damage? As always, appreciate your help.
Damage To Bolt Face Caused By Loose Primer?
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Birdhunter1
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I have never seen the issue in my Tikka T3 laminated stainless .243. I mostly use Federal match primers but on the one occasion I couldn't find them I went to CCI's, other than that i have never had a pierced primer or a flattened/deformed one. I am getting loose ones now and then but this is several repeated loading on the same cases, that however is expected eventually.
What bullet are you shooting?
What bullet are you shooting?
I ran into a lot of primers some years ago(not to be named) that 1 box had several of the primers "pinhole" at ht e radius and score the boldface. Manufacturer willingly replaced the bolt. Sometimes the tolerances just pile up. Edge of some of the cups got too thin.
Nosler 95 gr. BT's.
The manufacturer of the primers or the of the gun replaced the bolt? I've shot thousands of these primers and never had one act this way. I'm not sure if it was caused by a loose primer or a failed primer.
scoop the guts out of the spent primer and hold it up to a light. See a pinhole near the raduis/edge? If so, junk the entire lot of primers. Winchester issues refunds fwiw.. Rogn probably has it right. A few pits in a breach face won't hurt unless it's a semi auto pistol. Bolt faces and recoil plates don't care.
edfardos
edfardos
243winxb
Member
Gas may leak between the brass & primer. At times the primer will have a hole in it from the gas. A pock mark would be normal with high pressure rifles. At times, a hole in the primer may be a defect in the primer. Photos > http://s338.beta.photobucket.com/user/joe1944usa/library/#/user/joe1944usa/library/Firearms%20%20and%20%20Reloading/Primer%20Gas%20Leak?&_suid=1362711001498004412685107782538 The bolt is Ok to use.
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Birdhunter1
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Parker what kind of accuracy are you getting with those 95 gr Noslers?
The primer looked like the ones shown in the photos of gas leaks.
Good news on the bolt. Thanks.
DurangoKid
Member
I damaged a beautiful heavy barrel 25-06 bolt face. I had blow back around the primers which cut the bolt face. The culpert in this case was a couple of over sized flash holes. The good news is that was 40 years ago it never hurt the rifle.
So far I have found them to be very accurate out to100 yards which is the max distance at the range I belong.
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Yesterday, 09:47 PM #1
parker51
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Join Date: May 4, 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 802 Damage To Bolt Face Caused By Loose Primer?
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In over 20 years of reloading I've never had a bolt face damaged by gases coming from the primer and wondering if this could be caused by a loose primer or something else.
If the gas cutting is around the firing pin hole the primers are coming unseated, if it is random you had one case failure from around the primer. Punched primers will cut the bolt face around the firing pin hole, eventually the metal cutting around the firing pin will show up as a walled hole dent in the primer, also referred to as a craterd primer, meaning the wall is a reverse of the firing pin hole.
I would remove the primers and examine them for anomolies as in something that does not normally happen.
F. Guffey
Yesterday, 09:47 PM #1
parker51
Member
Join Date: May 4, 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 802 Damage To Bolt Face Caused By Loose Primer?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In over 20 years of reloading I've never had a bolt face damaged by gases coming from the primer and wondering if this could be caused by a loose primer or something else.
If the gas cutting is around the firing pin hole the primers are coming unseated, if it is random you had one case failure from around the primer. Punched primers will cut the bolt face around the firing pin hole, eventually the metal cutting around the firing pin will show up as a walled hole dent in the primer, also referred to as a craterd primer, meaning the wall is a reverse of the firing pin hole.
I would remove the primers and examine them for anomolies as in something that does not normally happen.
F. Guffey
10 Spot Terminator
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A few years back I had just bought a new Remington 700 CDL in .243 and bought 2 boxes of Remington factory ammo in 2 diffwerent bullet weights to try. On about the 7th round I had a primer blow out and there was no doubt I had an issue. A couple of what I figure were pieces of powder stung my face and there was smoke drifting out of the floor plate with a strong smell of gunpowder. This one gas cut the bolt face pretty good. I called Remington and they issued a call slip to pick up the rifle and the unused remainder of the suspect box of ammo and the fired brass. Within 20 days I had my rifle back with a new bolt that had been custom faced by their pro staff along with a $40.00 check to purchase any ammo I wished. I used it toward dies, brass and bullets. It happens . Could have been worse I suppose.
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