Flatten primer high pressure sign?

[anhzx]

I ran my test loads today, and it seems like the primers are a little too flatten. They are more flatten than my other loads that shot out of my tikka. I am new to reload and worry that I am approaching high pressure area. However my loads are even lower than the starting load recommended by Hodgdon websites. Am I still safe to test these loads?

Hodgdon website: starting load for 175 gr = 42 and max @ 45(c), and starting load for 180gr = 41 and max @ 45 (c)

Here's my load info:
Varget 39.7, 39.9, 40.1, 40.3 and 40.5 grains (from left to right)
ELD-X 178 Gr
CBC 308 Brass
shot out of Savage FLCP-SR

Thanks.

First picture: only 39.7gr shot


Second picture: 39.7, 39.9, 40.1, 40.3 and 40.5(except last one for comparison)



Deprimed

[hermosabeach]

Flat primers are like a rattlesnake shaking its rattle

You are not going to like was happens next

Another reminder to wear eye protection while reloading and shooting.



Friend had some hot 50 bmg HSM Ammo. Primer punctured and the jet cut his bolt face.

But the 50 is 215-240 grains of powder

[croue]

Flattened primers are not a reliable sign always. Could be loose primer pockets for example.


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[JagerDog]

Those aren't overly flat. I still see radius around the circumference and there's no extrusion at the firing pin.

They extract just fine I bet.

[croue]

Extraction is a better sign for sure.


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[anhzx]

Rounds extraction seemed to be normal. There were no obvious "unusual" hard on lifting the bolt.

I probably will increase the OAL on the next batch to see if it'll make any different since those loads were slightly compressed.

Thanks.

[anhzx]

Yep. That's why I got nervous about it.

These ELD-X, from what I gathered, are little longer than other same grained bullets, so I loose some case volume for the powder. That is the main reason why I started below the recommended starting load.

Flat primers are like a rattlesnake shaking its rattle

You are not going to like was happens next

Another reminder to wear eye protection while reloading and shooting.



Friend had some hot 50 bmg HSM Ammo. Primer punctured and the jet cut his bolt face.

But the 50 is 215-240 grains of powder

[baih777]

Yep. That's why I got nervous about it.

These ELD-X, from what I gathered, are little longer than other same grained bullets, so I loose some case volume for the powder. That is the main reason why I started below the recommended starting load.

good you have learned to research the bullet before loading.

keep going higher by .2 increments. you will either blow a primer, get a stuck case, or see heavy extractor marks on the headstamp.

I start my ladder test.
blown primer. 2 below blown primer load.
heavy extractor marks. start .2 below that last load.
stuck case. start .3 below last load.

if there is a 99cent store near you. office section pickup a couple of magnifying glasses. one for the bench. one for the range bag.

[baih777]

Rounds extraction seemed to be normal. There were no obvious "unusual" hard on lifting the bolt.

I probably will increase the OAL on the next batch to see if it'll make any different since those loads were slightly compressed.

Thanks.

remember the OAL for .308 is 2.80. you go longer and it wont fit the mag.

[anhzx]

Savage mag is pretty long. My last load 40.5 gr with OAL 2.805 and I still had plenty of space left on the mag. I measured the mag can fit bullet up to 2.9-3 OAL. But last time I tested, my savage chamber maxed out ~ 2.815 OAL. That's when I started to have issue with closing the bolt. Maybe i'll try to the max of 2.810 OAL
Thanks.

remember the OAL for .308 is 2.80. you go longer and it wont fit the mag.

[anhzx]

Pic of fired cased

Here's a picture of all those above fired cases.

Are those rings 1/3 the way down from the neck means anything?

Thanks.

[smoothy8500]

Are those rings 1/3 the way down from the neck means anything?
Thanks.

Those rings are just signs of scoring or ringing from metal chips creating scrapes as the chamber was reamed. Fairly common on mass produced barrels. Not an issue if they are light marks.

Sometimes "flat primers" are caused by excessively re-sized brass. The re-sized brass is more than the normal three to four thou shorter than the chamber. This leaves a large "gap" between the bolt face and rear of the case. On firing the primer backs out against the bolt and as the case expands it squishes the primer creating a false "flattened primer".

[maxx03]

Flat primers may also be an indication of excessive headspace, if these cases were shot out of a bolt gun you can neck size and reload the cases to check if the problem still exists. Save one of those cases and compare measurements with a resized case.

[anhzx]

I've started to neck sizing my brass, and this was my last full re-size brass. I'll see if there'll be any different with the next neck size only batch.

Thanks

Sometimes "flat primers" are caused by excessively re-sized brass. The re-sized brass is more than the normal three to four thou shorter than the chamber. This leaves a large "gap" between the bolt face and rear of the case. On firing the primer backs out against the bolt and as the case expands it squishes the primer creating a false "flattened primer".

Flat primers may also be an indication of excessive headspace, if these cases were shot out of a bolt gun you can neck size and reload the cases to check if the problem still exists. Save one of those cases and compare measurements with a resized case.

[robert101]

Yea, I tend to set my dies away from the Shell retention (shell holder) mechanism. If I load per my die instructions, I would end up under sizing the cases substantially.

Excessive head spacing can lead to what might appear to be a sign of overpressure with semi-flattened primers. Remember, not all primer cups are of equal hardness. Reading primers is like reading tea leaves. It is only one part of the overall crime scene. Check to see if your cases are overly expanded at the base.