The downside to my last trip to the range

[ksubuck]

Finally got the box to send the live and spent primers in. Took them to the freight company this afternoon. Funny comment from the shipper... "we've been seeing lots of shipments back to Winchester-Olin lately"

 

[DrMike]

Finally got the box to send the live and spent primers in. Took them to the freight company this afternoon. Funny comment from the shipper... "we've been seeing lots of shipments back to Winchester-Olin lately"

Interesting quote.

 

[ksubuck]

I know they had some 22LR recalled locally through a friend at the gun store. No idea what else might be going on. I am going to assume the recalled ammo was the source of that comment today.

 

[ksubuck]

Final answer from Winchester-Olin came through yesterday. All of the primers I returned appeared normal. The lot of primers was produced in 2011 and had no previous complaints. Their best guess is freak accident from either material workmanship, damage during reloading process, or unnoticed damage to primer pocket of case. They asked what I needed to make things right. I told them nothing, I understand luck or lack there of. Just wanted them to know in case there was a problem. They still wanted to do something. I asked for secret information about when to expect Winchester brass to return to the market. The lady laughed hard... and I got no inside information. She insisted they do something and asked what calibers I shoot. Said she would see if she could find some brass to send me.

 

[DrMike]

Sounds as if Winchester worked hard to make it right for you. Thanks for posting.

 

[ksubuck]

I was well taken care of... lots of new brass to prep this weekend

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would suggest that the primer pocket was slightly enlarged. With the copper cup that Winchester now uses, even a slight enlargement of the primer pocket will result in gas leakage. Generally, at the first sign of enlargement of the pocket, I will switch to a steel cup (CCI or Federal primer) to avoid this problem.

Primers are the weak link in the chain of reloads. Primers are barely able to handle the peak pressures of hot loads with all tolerances at optimal levels. I always try to match primers with cases and/or use premium cases (Norma, Lapua, Nosler) with Match grade primers. All it takes it a slightly undersized primer pocket fitment or undersized primer to case primer pocket tolerances and you see the results, a blown primer cup.

Most of the failures that I have seen of this type were R-P primers to W-W or Fed cases but occasionally any tolerance stack up may fall on the minimum size and fail in use.

It would probably be a good use of your time to measure these components before and after firing to do a stress analysis of the minimum measureable fitment of primer to pocket. Just be really aware of the dangers with handling live components.

 

[Vince]

I've been blowing primers the last two trips to the range with a previously proven Barnes bullet load in my 6.5x284.
It's aggravating the heck out of me. My Sierra loaf is accurate as heck but really slow. I may just use my .338 Win Mag for coues deer this year.

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[Oldtrader3]

WLRM are a little hotter than Fed 215 MM. Can you switch and fire a few FED215MM for grouping before you leave, Vince?

 

[Vince]

The only primers I have on hand are WLR and WLRM.
I double checked that I didn't load the magnum primer.

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[Ridgerunner665]

I've been blowing primers the last two trips to the range with a previously proven Barnes bullet load in my 6.5x284.
It's aggravating the heck out of me. My Sierra loaf is accurate as heck but really slow. I may just use my .338 Win Mag for coues deer this year.

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Same lot of powder?

Same lot of brass?

Warmer outside?

Excessive amounts of copper in your barrel?


Just tossing out ideas that may be the reason you're blowing primers.

 

[Vince]

Yes to powder, primers, and temp but only by 10 degrees.
Rifle gets cleaned every 20 - 25 rounds.

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[Vince]

Ridgerunner,
Your comment prompted me to clean my rifle a different way in hopes that is excessive copper in the barrel.
I usually use a patch and nylon brush. This time I used a bronze brush. We will see if I can get these Barnes bullets to shoot again.

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[Ridgerunner665]

What kind of copper solvent are you using?

The problem area is likely within the first few inches from the chamber...if its there at all.

Montana Extreme copper solvent will melt that copper out in just minutes...brush or not.

 

[Vince]

I'm using Barnes as I ran out of Sweet's.

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[Ridgerunner665]

I've not used Barnes or Sweets, I'm sure they'll work though...the Barnes website makes the CR-10 sound pretty aggressive, probably good stuff.

Using a bronze brush will make it difficult to tell when the barrel is copper free...the CR-10 will be eating the brush too, so the patch will always be a little discolored.

Can you feel any tight spots when pulling (or pushing) a snug patch through...feeling the tight spots sometimes takes practice, and a great deal of familiarity with a rifle...similar to lapping a bore.

 

[Vince]

I'll try the Montana Extreme when I need to replace the Barnes. Going to clean it again later in the week. It was pretty well mucked up with copper.

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[Ridgerunner665]

I'd say the Barnes is good stuff...I only bought the Montana Extreme because Nosler recommends it....you'll need a respirator when you use it.

See the edit I added to my previous post...about feeling the tight spots.

 

[Vince]

I can't get a patch through it without a hammer.

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[Ridgerunner665]

Well thats no good...I think you've found your problem...get that copper out and you should be back in business.

You're not seriously using a hammer, right? lol...