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Author Topic: Primer problems  (Read 514 times)

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Offline hilbily

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Primer problems
« on: October 04, 2011, 05:13:04 AM »
My buddy has a Handi in 204. We have been hand loading for it and my Encore 204. In his we are using H322 and 32 grn Hornady's. I think that the max load is 27.5 grains according to Hodgdon  and we are at low 26's (not real sure of exacts as I don't have the notes with me).  The primers are puckering back around the firing pin and making the rifle hard to break open after the shot, it is even shearing the pucker off the primer. We have tried Remington, CCI, and Federal primers and they all give the same effect. Factory loads don't seem to have this problem. It has us scratching our heads. No other signs of pressure and the primers are not moving back at all just the little pucker around the firing pin hole. I have had no problems are near max loads with Sierra BK 39 in my Encore.  Any ideas?
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Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2011, 05:18:55 AM »
Firing pin too long, maybe?  If it is penetrating the primer and hanging up it would make it hard to open the action.

-WH-
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2011, 05:49:33 AM »
Sounds like the load is too hot, back off to the start load of 25.5gr and see how it works.  ;)

Tim
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Offline hilbily

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2011, 06:19:08 AM »
Tim we started off at 25.7 and it still had the same problem. The 26.5 gave the best group of the limited shooting that was done. Do you think that if we changed powder it might help. I have some 4895 that I am going to be using in my Encore.
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Offline geezerbiker

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2011, 07:02:37 AM »
The firing pin hole is too large or the firing pin is too small in diameter.  I had the same problem on a BSA Martini...  I would contact customer service about sending the rifle in for repair...

Tony
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Offline spooked

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2011, 07:06:42 AM »
I had this problem with a Hornet,rifle barrel on shotgun receiver, put the barrel on a rifle receiver and the problem disappeared..I suspicion  too big of firing pin hole,,just sayin :-\ see geez beat me to it.. ;D
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2011, 07:15:16 AM »
Quote from: hilbily on October 04, 2011, 05:13:04 AM
Factory loads don't seem to have this problem.

It seems to me that since factory ammo works fine, the problem has to be with the handloads, not the gun. H322 is one of Hodgdon's hottest powders they list in their data, the start pressure is well above all of the others at 48.3kpsi, H4895 or IMR4895 would be a good choice to try, BLC2 works good in mine with the 40gr Vmax.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
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Offline hilbily

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2011, 08:03:54 AM »
Thanks everyone. We will give the H4895 a try with the CCI primers and see if that will cure the problem.
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2011, 08:13:18 AM »
+1 on it often being worthwhile to change powders before working on mechanicals. Some have too fast a 'power curve' and give tip-up rifles fits; plus what the book says is what they found, or ran a computer model of, not what is really happening in 'your' rifle. Real world indicators trump book.
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Offline bilmac

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2011, 12:46:43 PM »
Another vote for the load being too hot.
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Offline yooper77

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2011, 01:12:22 PM »
Yes, regardless of the load its too hot for your rifle.
 
yooper77
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Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2011, 04:50:52 PM »
No other pressure signs....  Continuing with Tim's thinking, could it be that the primer is supported well enough by the face of the breech block to not show any other pressure signs and it is flowing back into the firing pin hole?  As he said, with no problems with factory ammo it certainly sounds like the load is too hot.

-Kees-
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: Primer problems
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2011, 05:17:23 PM »
If i just had to use that powder I would use the CCIs and back it off about 10%. If it was OK I would start bringing it back up slowly until I found the cratering point, and stop. I have done this in the past, but ultimately switched powders and got more velo without cratering, so I know it worked for me.
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      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
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