444 Marlin Primer Popping out

[30Carbine]

I have a 444 marlin. Every time I shoot it it pops the primers out just a little. Does it with factory and reloads. Every time. I had a gun smith look at it. Said it's fine.

I have a close friend that recommend I get a second opinion. (He only cares). I was told this is common for 444 marlin since it's a heavy, hot load. This is the only gun i have this happen with.

Any thoughts?

[Thorax]

headspace

[NorCalFocus]

headspace....hmmm a concerned friend said some thing to that effect

[30Carbine]

my concerned freind....See thread. (inside joke)...sorry Cal guns. Thanks Thorax. I'll have it checked again.

[762cavalier]

The 444 marlin is a rimmed cartridge. while a headspace issue is possible it is also very unlikely. Is this a new gun? Used?

[30Carbine]

Older. 60's

[30Carbine]

Sorry I was mistaken....1974

[pacrat]

I have a 444 marlin. Every time I shoot it it pops the primers out just a little. Does it with factory and reloads. Every time. I had a gun smith look at it. Said it's fine.

I have a close friend that recommend I get a second opinion. (He only cares). I was told this is common for 444 marlin since it's a heavy, hot load. This is the only gun i have this happen with.

Any thoughts?

It is only a "hot load" if compared to the 45-70 at 28k psi. Actually its rated pressure of 42k psi is same as the 30-30 and 32 Win Spl which are considered anemic by modern standards. But with them you can fireform and neck size and alleviate the protruding primers. Can't do that with a straight walled cartrige such as your .444.

Same primer protrusion is common on all of the above due to low pressure.

JM2c

[ar15barrels]

I have a 444 marlin. Every time I shoot it it pops the primers out just a little.
Does it with factory and reloads. Every time. I had a gun smith look at it. Said it's fine.

Any thoughts?

The only way a primer can pop out that far in a locked breech gun is if the gun has excessive headspace or of the case rims are way too thin.
Find a better gunsmith.

[30Carbine]

could it be a worn bolt face?

[ar15barrels]

could it be a worn bolt face?

It could.
But 99.9% of the time, it is not.

Is there a big deep pocket worn in the breech?

[30Carbine]

where specifically? everything looks normal to me. And the face looks flat. I'll put a Snap cap in later and see that it sits snug against the face.

[ar15barrels]

where specifically?

Where the primer sits.
Basically a 1/4" diameter area centered on the firing pin hole.

[30Carbine]

no thats fine. totally flat.

[Spyder]

Tagged for identical problem on a Marlin 1893