Flattened primers considered normal these days?

[DHart]

I've noticed that in most of the .357 loads I've been firing, both factory loads and my own handloads, with S&W and Ruger revolvers in excellent condition show signs of primer flattening... since I'm seeing this with factory loads such as Winchester 145 gr. Silvertip in quality revolvers in fine condition, it leads me to believe that this occurrence of primer flattening might be considered somewhat "normal"... is this correct or is something really wrong with my guns and factory ammo?

The thought occurs to me that I am using Federal primers and the Winchester factory ammo uses Winchester primers, which are typically considered less hard than CCI primers... could this be the reason for the flattening?

 

[stans]

Considering the operating pressure of magnum pistol cartridges, flattening of the primers is to be expected. I know my magnum revolvers (357 and 44) will flatten the primers of factory magnum ammo.

 

[JPM70535]

I'm not sure what constitutes flattened primers in your opinion. All my fired primers , excluding "Wimp" target loads tend to be flatter across the top than an unfired primer. The only time I worry is when the primer tends to flow back around the firing pin. This is usually immeiately apparent since as the cylinder rotates (For a 2nd shot), the extruded primer will tend to drag as it rubs against the frame.In my revolver the spent cases are usually hard to extract.

Factory rounds are no different other than the Manufacturers stay well away from any load approaching mximum for liability concerns,

 

[dmftoy1]

There's a thread over in the reloading section that has a link to a webpage that discusses pressure and flattened primers with pictures. I was a bit concerned on my Model 500 as all the factory ammo I was shooting appeared to have flattened primers. (both ammo using large pistol/Magnum and large rifle primers)

Anyway, after reading that post and seeing those pictures it made it pretty clear to me the difference between what I considered flattened and what they did.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[zeke]

DHart-am using Fed pistol primers almost exclusively. They "flatten", even in light target loads, and more noticiably than other brands tried (especially CCI). While there certainly are exceptions, reading Fed primers for pressure in pistols may be kinda problematic.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

dmftoy1,

Could you post a link to the thread you mention?

Guy B. Meredith

 

[dmftoy1]

Here's the thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=3047&page=1&pp=25&highlight=flattened+primers

Lots of good stuff in that thread. The one I was talking about specifically is on this guy's page:

http://stevespages.com/table3.html

If you click on "diagnosing problems" link there's a pretty good write-up on primers, etc.

Have a good one,
Dave