Cowboys/girls - This isn't my first rodeo.

 

Check out these primers the best you can in these pics.

 

I'm on the edge but need the velocity to stabilize these bullets.

 

Your opinions please.

Very bad, close to really really bad.

 

Sounds like the wrong twist for too heavy a bullet? What's the twist and weight?

Don't know much about reloading... Frank can you explain? Too much of a dimple, not enough?

Very bad, close to really really bad.

 

Sounds like the wrong twist for too heavy a bullet? What's the twist and weight?

 

OK so I did ask for opinions but I totally disagree with you. I still have rounded edges of sorts and the primer isn't flat out to the case. No significant firing pin cratering. Sorry I really struggled w/ the pics.

 

For the record 69gr MK and 1:9 twist

Time for a different powder? Given the available options I don't see why you should have that problem. I've loaded 69gr SMKs into 5.56 territory with Ramshot TAC, and the primers looked a hell of a lot better.

Time for a different powder?

 

Vlad - I'm getting decent groups now and this is my max load. I don't shoot much 69gr stuff just for 300yd stuff.

This is a .223 chamber. I may try an extruded powder again.

The primer flow on them isn't that awful. I used to get worse with my 10mm loads.

The primer flow on them isn't that awful. I used to get worse with my 10mm loads.

 

Kind of my read Chris. I'm just looking for affirmation.

Frank-

 

Looks like you are starting to build pressure, but it looks like you are still pretty ok.

 

The edges of the primers where they meet the case are still rounded over like a factory primer. High ppressures will cause the cup to flow into that area and it will be flat all the way across the base of the case.

 

just my .02

I found pics of bad primer flow. The only high pressure indicator I can see from the pics are the firing pin strike indentations look deep.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7ZAGfd9OnnU8bHV0Kwb7t1diq5Sr63oU33XLJcwvIrsdnUwa5

OK so from the consensus I'm going to reload these three loads and chrono them. I just need a decent day with minimal wind to group test them.

 

I am going to load some Varget as well. It's just so damned hard to get enough powder in the case. At 25grs I'm compressed so I'll tap the cases or use a drop tube.

 

Thanks all!

I used varget on .223 60/75/77/80 gr no presure problems.

On the heavier bullets you will compress the powder a little but depends on seating depth .

 

I used varget on .223 60/75/77/80 gr no presure problems.

On the heavier bullets you will compress the powder a little but depends on seating depth .

 

I'm going to give Varget a shot again. My COL needs to meet magazine limits and I know I can feed at 2.250-2.260" COL with out a problem.

I don't have a COL issue I single feed, I've found COL problems with 75gr up if mag fed.

 

 

 

On one hand, it could just be a sloppy firing pin hole causing the cratering since the primers aren't really flattening out. On the other hand, there looks to be a little ejector imprint, but not a full fledged smear, nor does there seem to be any extractor flow.

I have found that a lot of the lake city brass has a fairly loose primer pocket. I would not be too worried about the flattening that you have. On some of my lake city brass that has 3 or 4 loads on it that will happen even on a moderate load. I have had the best luck with Winchester brass with primer pockets.

BTW, what looks like an ejector ring in those pictures is actually one of the several ring shaped imprints that is on the casehead of this brass when its produced. Its actually slightly smaller than the ejector but is deceiving in those pics.

Ken

Also, FWIW, the CFE223 will almost always show me high pressure signs where Varget wont for almost the same MV. Im not completely sold on that stuff yet....I know that at the moment you have to load with whatever you can get or have on hand. If you ever wanna hit the range with me, chrono some loads, and trade notes just send me a PM

Ken

OK so from the consensus I'm going to reload these three loads and chrono them. I just need a decent day with minimal wind to group test them.

 

I am going to load some Varget as well. It's just so damned hard to get enough powder in the case. At 25grs I'm compressed so I'll tap the cases or use a drop tube.

 

Thanks all!

 

Frank - they basically look the same as the primers in my brass. I'm currently testing 24.5 to 25gr. of Varget under a 69 gr. Barnes BT Match head at 2.25 - 2.26 COL. This is out of Rem 700 SPS Tactical.

 

And yes - I can hear the bullet just touching the powder in the case. I tap the case lightly to help seat the powder. Hodgdon publishes a max of 26gr. max @ 2.235 COL so it's well within range.

You look to have reamed the crimp away rather than swaged it, and you aren't getting any lateral expansion of the primer or the radius of the primer cup getting squared by being pushed ahrd against the breech face.

 

So, I'd say getting to the high pressure end with a sloppy firing pin to firing pin hole fit?

 

Do the paperclip test and measure your case heads to see if the brass is getting really stretched out.

The primer flow on them isn't that awful. I used to get worse with my 10mm loads.

 

Reloading of 10mm disqualifies you & me from giving any advice on pressure signs.