ConcernedCitizen
Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2004
- Messages
- 149
I'm having some trouble reading the primers on my .308 loads, and would like to get a few second opinions.
In your opinion, do these primers look flattened to you, or show signs of cratering?
If you look at the middle row of cartridges, the two on the outside edges look nice and round, but show signs of what might be considered cratering. The primers in the middle of the middle row look flattened, but they almost look like they were smashed against the bolt face, rather than flattened due to high pressure.
I'm using 43.0 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 165 gr. Hornady BTSP. The primers are CCI 200, and the brass is new Winchester brass. These were fired out of a Mossberg 800A, and were worked up from 41.0 grains. The primers look similar across all loads, not just the higher end. Blue is 41.0 grains, and red is 43.0 grains.
It's a mid-range load according to Speer #13, and there are no signs of sticky bolt lift or extraction. There are some definite machining marks visible on the brass after it's been fired, though.
My rifle really likes these loads, and I'm fairly certain that I'm still within safe territory, but I can't get over the fact that some of the primers look so flattened. I'm pretty sure that it's just the primer being flattened against the bolt face, but would really like to get some expert opinions on the matter.
Is anyone willing to help assuage my fears, or perhaps save my life if I'm sorely mistaken?
Thanks in advance!
In your opinion, do these primers look flattened to you, or show signs of cratering?
If you look at the middle row of cartridges, the two on the outside edges look nice and round, but show signs of what might be considered cratering. The primers in the middle of the middle row look flattened, but they almost look like they were smashed against the bolt face, rather than flattened due to high pressure.
I'm using 43.0 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 165 gr. Hornady BTSP. The primers are CCI 200, and the brass is new Winchester brass. These were fired out of a Mossberg 800A, and were worked up from 41.0 grains. The primers look similar across all loads, not just the higher end. Blue is 41.0 grains, and red is 43.0 grains.
It's a mid-range load according to Speer #13, and there are no signs of sticky bolt lift or extraction. There are some definite machining marks visible on the brass after it's been fired, though.
My rifle really likes these loads, and I'm fairly certain that I'm still within safe territory, but I can't get over the fact that some of the primers look so flattened. I'm pretty sure that it's just the primer being flattened against the bolt face, but would really like to get some expert opinions on the matter.
Is anyone willing to help assuage my fears, or perhaps save my life if I'm sorely mistaken?
Thanks in advance!