Primers Popping Off Bullet Casings. Why?

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MR WICK

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I bought 140 rounds of Freedom Munitions 308 Win 168 gr A-Max New

After 40 rounds I have had 4 primers pop out of the bullet casing. Should I cease using the ammunition?

Thanks All
 
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I have only seen that once. Had 8mm Mauser brass probably on its 4th loading, I was searching for that next higher velocity accuracy node with W748 and loaded them way too hot and the primers fell out of some of them.
 
I’m no expert but I’d say those are over-pressure see the “dimples” or “flow” around the firing pin? Then of course its pushing primers out. I’d contact the manufacturer.
 
Marginal primer pockets, loaded one time too many. Looks like remanufactured ammo with poor QC raw materials. Their brass source is selling scrap mixed in with "good".

Barring any previous gun problems, this would be the last ever purchased.
 

Flattened primers, brass flowing into the bolt face... Don't shoot those any more. They aren't safe.
 
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Wow. That's pretty damn scary. You think the rifle is ok?

Probably. Modern rifles have a significant safety cushion built in. You might check your bolt. All that brass and gas had to go somewhere, and a thorough cleaning is a fine idea.
 
I bought 140 rounds of Freedom Munitions 308 Win 168 gr A-Max New

After 40 rounds I have had 4 primers pop out of the bullet casing. Should I cease using the ammunition?

Thanks All

Well, that is not encouraging!

3C
 
I don’t think it’s overpressure. The rounds with primers, they are only slightly flattened. The ejector stamping is present, but again, I’ve seen worse. Still, some pressure signs. That said, I think it’s remanufactured ammo with weak primer pockets.

I’d have to look at cases and have seen, heard those shot to decide what I would do. Likely, I’d shoot the rest. But I know exactly the signs to look for and what my rifles/pistols can handle. Not having this information, I’m gonna recommend not shooting the rest.
 
What grain do you recommend for target shooting.
 

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I have a Savage 10/110 Precision in shooting currently at 500 yards. What grain bullet do you guys reccomend?
 
You want to try many different weights to see what the rifle likes. A fellow Savage enthusiast! Have you been over to SavageShooters? More info on Savage rifles than anywhere else. I’m there daily.
 
For those who fail to pay attention, the OP stated this is NEW ammunition, from Freedom Munitions brand with the dreaded A USA headstamp.

The 4 to the left look fairly normal. If they were my reloads, I'd consider them to be approaching maximum. The 4 on the right are clearly over-pressure. In addition to the obvious missing primer, brass flow into the ejector is prominent and the headstamp is beginning to be distorted. This is the only possible cause of your problem...excessive pressure loads. Not soft brass or any such defect. These are not simply loose primer pockets, they are made loose by an unsafe condition. Contact the manufacturer and cease use of these cartridges.

As to what's causing the overpressure, there are many possibilities, all speculative. Inconsistent powder charges would be the most likely. Thick case necks or oversized bullet could cause this. Poor neck tension allowing the bullet to jamb into the case or run long into the rifling during recoil. Severely fouled chamber, throat, bore. Dessicated lubricant or foreign matter in the throat of your chamber. Loads tested in normal conditions developing excessive pressure in hot condition, either ambient or hot ammunition/chamber. Out of spec chamber/rifling/leade. I think the Mfr is the place to start, as they should be concerned with a possible dangerous QC issue.
 
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Ones on the right are way over pressure.

As posted, look at the round spots where the pressure is extruding the brass back into the ejector cutout.
 
I agree that you need to stop using that ammo and call the manufacturer. The cases missing the primers are definitely showing signs of over-pressure.

I have a Savage 10/110 Precision in shooting currently at 500 yards. What grain bullet do you guys reccomend?

As with any rifle, each one will prefer a different weight or even type of bullet. I can say that my older Savage Model 12 FVL does veery well with Hornady Whitetail168 grain soft points and Norma Tac 150 grain FMJ. Unfortunately neither are made anymore.

I do have some Federal Gold Medal 168 grain and Gold Medal 175 grain ammo to try in my Savage. I just haven't shot the rifle since messing up my shoulders last year.
 
I generally suck with looking at photos, but some of those do look over pressure, but I have seen worse. The best looking one to me is top row second from the left, all the others are.....ehh too much for me.

Rifle should be ok, the primer is fairly soft, and even if it gets stuck in the innerds of the rifle, I highly doubt real damage will be done.

What would (I) do?

Not shoot any more of those, and if I have boxes from that same lot I would not shoot them as well. Get on the horn to the maker and say ahh hay I think we have an issue here.

The primer should not leave the case unless you are reloading and poking it out. To leave the case only a couple things, too much pressure, or the pocket (where the primer goes) is too big, it generally happens on well used cases like the other poster said.

If this is a bolt rifle, and they are a tick too long it will not want to chamber, if an auto same basic thing, the thing will not want to close. If everything "feels" fine it likely is not too long and hitting the "rifling". You could also measure and see how long they are.

The "carbon ring" seems to be the new word on gun forums lately, a little like when you have a 3yr old and he learns a new word it is all so many can talk about. I have shot a very long time, and don't clean very often, never had the issue. That does not mean it is not something that could happen, all I am saying is I have never seen it happen.
 
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