Input on damaged rifling

[millerkiller77]

You would think that Federal would issue a recall. Also they should have communicated what they found when they test fired the "returned" loads in one of their rifles.

A quick Google search doesn't find that Federal has recently issued a recall for #205 primers. I would guess that they don't deem it to be a hazardous issue.

Whatever testing methods they used, the CS rep said the brass was destroyed and not reusable. He said chemical testing was one method. I really wish I could've talked to the actual person that did the testing because the CS guy wasn't very knowledgeable and his whacky explanations made absolutely no sense to me.

 

[antelopedundee]

Haven't used it in a long time, but when I was loading with my ProJector I had a tube connected to the spent primer tube on the press that went into a jug like a milk jug.

 

[bluegrassdan]

You would think that Federal would issue a recall. Also they should have communicated what they found when they test fired the "returned" loads in one of their rifles.

A quick Google search doesn't find that Federal has recently issued a recall for #205 primers. I would guess that they don't deem it to be a hazardous issue.

I would say that they look at this as within the "noise" of the acceptable QC variance due to the low number of reports. If they had 50 or more individual reports of failures, it might make them look harder, but less than that is so small of a number it is just not worth the effort.

 

[Redmt]

I had an undetermined issue with some WW primers a few years back. They asked me to send them in and then sent me another block of 5000 no questions asked. Different manufacturer and different times.

 

[millerkiller77]

Haven't used it in a long time, but when I was loading with my ProJector I had a tube connected to the spent primer tube on the press that went into a jug like a milk jug.

Same here, the tube drops them into a bucket.

 

[antelopedundee]

I would say that they look at this as within the "noise" of the acceptable QC variance due to the low number of reports. If they had 50 or more individual reports of failures, it might make them look harder, but less than that is so small of a number it is just not worth the effort.

I would add that they didn't see it as a safety/hazard issue that would generate liability.

 

[antelopedundee]

100% a defective batch of primers. CS agreed they shouldn't come apart or concave the way they did. But, they could not be liable for them since there are so many variables in reloading that are beyond their control. Basically, " sucks to be you, better luck next time"

Forgot to ask, did you go back and try the other lot of Federals that were giving you good results?

 

[millerkiller77]

Forgot to ask, did you go back and try the other lot of Federals that were giving you good results?

Well crap, I did not. And now in hindsight, i probably should have tried a few dozen of the new lot before committing to loading a full batcj.. . That would have been a very simple litmus test instead of me changing powders, primers, and charge weights

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I have seen it posted elsewhere that Norma uses a different spec on primer pockets in their 223 brass. No idea if it's all 223 brass or the validity of that claim. Could possibly see a slightly different seating depth compounded with pin protrusion, bolt face to pin fit, and softer 205 primers maybe playing into it? or just a lousy primer batch..

 

[antelopedundee]

Well crap, I did not. And now in hindsight, i probably should have tried a few dozen of the new lot before committing to loading a full batcj.. . That would have been a very simple litmus test instead of me changing powders, primers, and charge weights

TBH I doubt that there are very many [if any] handloaders who would try a new lot of primers on the chance that they might be defective. The loading manuals advise to back off about 5% on powder charge when changing components inluding primers.
They should have sent replacements.

 

[millerkiller77]

I have seen it posted elsewhere that Norma uses a different spec on primer pockets in their 223 brass. No idea if it's all 223 brass or the validity of that claim. Could possibly see a slightly different seating depth compounded with pin protrusion, bolt face to pin fit, and softer 205 primers maybe playing into it? or just a lousy primer batch..

That is 100% correct. Norma 223 brass primer pockets are .125-.1255 " deep. .002 deeper than max SAAMI specification. The short answer from Norma was that its manufactured to some European spec, and the difference is negligible. Oh, and calipers aren't an accurate method for measuring brass dimensions. Wtf?

The brass is 3x fired, the primer issue didn't start until I opened a new lot, and then went away when I switched brands. I think that rules out everything else.

 

[std7mag]

Oh, and calipers aren't an accurate method for measuring brass dimensions. Wtf?
View attachment 376159

As per my reaction. WOW!!
I guess I'll tell the 30 guys that I work with at the machine shop that we all need to throw our calipers out.

And here I just ordered a set of 12" Brown & Sharpe dial calipers yesterday.

 

[bluegrassdan]

As per my reaction. WOW!!
I guess I'll tell the 30 guys that I work with at the machine shop that we all need to throw our calipers out.

And here I just ordered a set of 12" Brown & Sharpe dial calipers yesterday.

Silly man, don't you know all the armchair reloading experts have made the truth known that calipers are no longer accurate? As a machinist, we have been wrong for decades. Now only micrometers are accurate, but only if they are the $100 Amazon ones from China, all others have drift or backlash and are no good.

 

[std7mag]

Silly man, don't you know all the armchair reloading experts have made the truth known that calipers are no longer accurate? As a machinist, we have been wrong for decades. Now only micrometers are accurate, but only if they are the $100 Amazon ones from China, all others have drift or backlash and are no good.

Damm!!!
I could have saved over $300!!

 

[antelopedundee]

I expect that they're good enought to tell you what you want/need to know. FWIW I can't think of any dimension with my brass that I need to know within 0.0005 inch.

 

[danr55]

The only reasonable explanation is that the new chamber is slightly larger (longer) than to old chamber, causing the pressure to build slower when the round is fired. Try something before you give away this lot. Take cases that have been fired through this rifle and reload them with the exact same load used before. See if the problem isn't eliminated....or just give it all away and start with something new.

 

[44hunter45]

I have seen it posted elsewhere that Norma uses a different spec on primer pockets in their 223 brass. No idea if it's all 223 brass or the validity of that claim. Could possibly see a slightly different seating depth compounded with pin protrusion, bolt face to pin fit, and softer 205 primers maybe playing into it? or just a lousy primer batch..

This is true. Norma brass often has small vent holes in all calibers. I check and re-drill all mine to 2mm. I clean drill de-burrs the inside too.