Primer leaks

[copterdoc]

Had damage to my bolt face and have been told it is primer pocket gas leaks and it doesn't take that many apparently to do the damage. Most of my brass is fc but I have some others mixed in. I was told and have subsequently read that fc is not the best brass to reload. Has anyone else had this experience? What were your components? I use cci #41 primers 24gr. Varget and 52 gr. smk bullets. I haven't noticed any issues until I looked at my bolt face. May have been a slightly deformed primer pocket. The brass in the pic has been reloaded 3X for a total of 4 firings. That is the most I fire a case. Thinking of buying new brass. Any thoughts? Thank you.

[highpower790]

In my opinion what caused the impression on bolt face is pre existing.When cartridge fired it pressed debris into bolt face,then got blown out.
Your brass looks good,certainly no worse than my load of Varget at 24.5 with a 82gr bullet.

[pacrat]

I don't see no steeenk'n primer leakage on your cases.

[fguffey]

Quote:
Had damage to my bolt face and have been told it is primer pocket gas leaks and it doesn't take that many apparently to do the damage. Most of my brass is fc but

Quote:
BTW the brass was fired 4X.

Nothing until the fourth firing, then suddenly and without warning you have hot high pressure metal cutting gas escaping from the head of the case? The hot high pressure metal cutting gas is so effective it only takes one time.

You have a ring on the bolt face, that is an indication of leakage around the primer pocket on the outside of the primer. I am the fan of cutting down on all that case travel, reducing case travel reduces primer travel. I do not want hot high pressure metal cutting gas escaping between the primer and primer pocket.

Then there is this problem of work hardening, I am the fan of case head expansion, I have a choice, case head expansion or case head cracks/splits etc.. I have no interest in firing a case over and over and over. But if I did I would not blame the rifle or case manufacture if I do not cut down on case head travel.

F. Guffey

[OpenSightsOnly]

Had damage to my bolt face and have been told it is primer pocket gas leaks and it doesn't take that many apparently to do the damage. Most of my brass is fc but I have some others mixed in. I was told and have subsequently read that fc is not the best brass to reload. Has anyone else had this experience? What were your components? I use cci #41 primers 24gr. Varget and 52 gr. smk bullets. I haven't noticed any issues until I looked at my bolt face. May have been a slightly deformed primer pocket. The brass in the pic has been reloaded 3X for a total of 4 firings. That is the most I fire a case. Thinking of buying new brass. Any thoughts? Thank you.

I used to use the 52 gr. or 53 gr. SMK for 100 yard reduced course matches. My powder charger is 1.5 gr. heavier than what you use. For primers, you are good as long as you use CCI 41, CCI 450, Rem. 7.5 BR, CCI BR4, or Wolf/Tula 556M. All of my brass is once fired not range pick-ups. Had a leak happen to me since I over cut the crimp off the primer pocket. Now I use Dillon Swager, all is well. I retire the brass after six firings - based on my experience not a recommendation/guidance for your process.

[thospb]

I have experienced this a few times on .308 brass and it was always Federal Brass with Federal 210 primers. I'm using 44.8gr Varget in a Rem 700. I have also had S&B Primers pierce at the Firing Pin strike point. I switched to Lapua Brass and have not had any issues. I'm undecided about the S&B primers.

[slamfire1]

I did see a mix of brass, some being Federal. I picked up thousands of Federal cases, from the Service rifle teams over the years I shot Highpower at Perry. My federal cases don't last long because the case heads are soft and expand after a couple of reloads.

Most shooters are actually shooting loads that are closer to 70,000 psia than 50,000 psia in their 223 AR. The AR15 happens to have a very rigid locking mechanism, but the brass pockets eventually expand. If you think you are experiencing any primer pocket leakage, cut your load by a half grain and continue doing so until you don't see any evidence.

The service rifle teams, they shoot loads at long range that are so hot, the brass is ruined on its first firing. Some of this brass I picked up, next to AMU and USMC Rifle Team members, you could tap the primer out of the case. These cases show signs of extreme pressure.

This was AMU long range brass



This was USMC Rifle Team long range brass

[highpower790]

I did see a mix of brass, some being Federal. I picked up thousands of Federal cases, from the Service rifle teams over the years I shot Highpower at Perry. My federal cases don't last long because the case heads are soft and expand after a couple of reloads.

Most shooters are actually shooting loads that are closer to 70,000 psia than 50,000 psia in their 223 AR. The AR15 happens to have a very rigid locking mechanism, but the brass pockets eventually expand. If you think you are experiencing any primer pocket leakage, cut your load by a half grain and continue doing so until you don't see any evidence.

The service rifle teams, they shoot loads at long range that are so hot, the brass is ruined on its first firing. Some of this brass I picked up, next to AMU and USMC Rifle Team members, you could tap the primer out of the case. These cases show signs of extreme pressure.

This was AMU long range brass



This was USMC Rifle Team long range brass

There is nothing wrong with this brass.A little primer cratering may hint at higher pressure ,but is not the end of of life after one firing.If I add 1/2 to one more grain I will get the same results.