Too much pressure? What else could cause this?

[Chris M]

I didn't catch this at the range, but noticed while I was processing my brass (44 Mag) after I got home. I fired several different loads, including factory ammo...so there's no telling which one this was from. Also, this was the only one of the bunch that looked like this.

Any idea what would cause this? At first I thought it may have been caused by the depriming pin...but the anvil is still intact.

I doubt that it's too much pressure...my handloads were well below max loads.

Obviously, the primer in question is on the left, and a normal one on the right.

[E_Shaw90]

that is caused by the decapping process...

[gunboat]

That what it appears to me as well --

[SixPointEight]

Decapping. Mine does that. Especially from a crimped case

[jwest]

Excellent photograph, BTW.

[Mr. Burns]

Excellent photograph, BTW.

+1 I didn't realize I was looking at a primer!

[mif_slim]

Yup, decapping pin. Happens when you shove it a little harder then usual. No biggie.

[Chris M]

Excellent photograph, BTW.

Thanks. "Super Macro" mode on my Canon S5 IS. Lens was just about touching the primers. Flash had to be adjusted, and I had to use a piece of paper to reflect the flash to get the right lighting

And thanks to everyone else. This is the first primer that I've seen like this, of all of them that I've pushed out...although, I have to admit that I don't inspect every spent primer. I just didn't think it could have been the decapping pin, because the Anvil was still completely intact, and wasn't even touching the inside-bottom of the primer. The pin pushes on the anvil, and I can only see this happening if the anvil disconnects and presses against the primer cup.

Anyways, I'm not going to worry about it, and I'll make it a habit to examine my cases a little more closely after firing, and before decapping/cleaning/etc.

[SixPointEight]

I highly doubt it's a pressure thing, but I see your worry. Primer cratering almost ALWAYS has a sharper rim around the firing pin indent. Also, if you're getting cratering, you'll have flat primers. Yours still have a nice healthy radius. Those two primers came from a fairly light load.