had a primer blow out today and etch my bolt face

[rci2950]

First time this has ever happened. I was working up a load for 130 grain TTSX / .308 win and the primer blew on 45.4 grains of 4166 using winchester brass and primers.

https://image.ibb.co/enF1Ex/20180411_224029.jpg

Pic of the blow out

https://image.ibb.co/d8DtSH/20180411_224335.jpg

Close up

https://image.ibb.co/dw1cMc/Screenshot_2018_04_11_23_13_43.png

https://image.ibb.co/eL7v7H/Screenshot_2018_04_11_23_13_57.png

[Schuetzenman]

That's odd. Your primer is still has radius at the outer edge. Primers don't usually blow at the edge, I can't recall any that blew out without having flattened the primer in the pocket completely and then flow into the firing pin hole in the bolt. That one looks like a low pressure fail and I'd say there was a defect in the primer cup for that to happen.

[Schuetzenman]

I looked up your powder, wasn't familiar with 4166. That said it looks to be tailor made for the .308 and should not be a problem. Like I posted earlier, your primer otherwise does not show high pressure signs. Probably the brass primer cup had a serious defect in it. You might want to contact Winchester with the lot number information of those primers. They might offer you a replacement lot.

[l921428x]

I would make a call to the people that made the primer. They may be interested because
of where the malfunction is. But I don't know.

Very glad you were not injured.

[rci2950]

I emailed these pics to winchester and am now waiting a response. Googling this tells me this is a common thing for winchester primers and is the main reason they are usually the most plenty full on the shelf at any sporting goods store. I will be using CCI for now on.

[l921428x]

Wow. I am no where near re-loading so I did not know this.

[NAPOTS]

Wow. I am no where near re-loading so I did not know this.

I had an AR that was piercing them when I first got it. There was a small burr on the firing pin. I ended up taking an arkansas stone to the firing pin and smoothing it and it hasn't been a problem sense.

[rci2950]

They replied. Said a representative is reviewing my case and will be in contact shortly

[imanaknut]

They replied. Said a representative is reviewing my case and will be in contact shortly

Glad to hear this, thanks for the update!