Primer?

[bonjing]

I have a question regarding primers, what would cause a primer to fall/pop out during shooting? What, if any, are the dangers that come from this? this is regarding 5.56/223 ammo.

[Prc329]

Over pressure is one cause. So this was a primer from a case that had been fired correct?

[Fjold]

Loose primer pockets, undersized primers, high pressure, soft brass,

[ocabj]

If this is happening on factory ammo, then I would contact the company who manufactured it.

If this is happening on commercial reloads, then I would also contact the company who manufactured it.

If this is happening on your own reloads, then you need to reevaluate your load. Chronograph it. Is it faster than it should be for that powder and bullet?

If it speed looks safe, then check out your brass for the primer pockets. If the primer pockets are still tight. If they are tight, are you using Winchester? If you are, switch to CCI or Remington and see if the problem goes away (and it probably will).

If the speed is on the high side, then ask yourself if you need to run it that hot. If yes, then you should definitely switch to Remington or CCI (I stopped using Winchester primers in the AR a long time ago due to their inconsistent nature in the AR). Then, you should see if there's a better burning powder that will get you the speed you need and still stay within a safe burn rate / pressure curve.

[bigthaiboy]

I have had this happen on both 7.62x39 and 7.62x54r Czech surplus berdan-primed ammo. On firing I even felt a spray of sparks on my face. Headspace issues?

[bonjing]

don't have access to a chrono, but could it be that the primer pocket was swagged to large, using a dillon swagger. random brass, hodgden varget 27gr with 55gr fmj bullets. any recomendations on how to calibrate the swagger opening.