Primer blow out

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B-78

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After 40+ years of reloading and shooting thousands of rounds a year, I finally had a primer blow out. I was shooting one of my Cooper 6mms checking my zero with an 88gr Berger. Had been using it with a 69gr Bergers previously. Was going to shoot a 3 shot group but after pulling the trigger on second round I was hit in the face with blow back and what I found out to be primer pieces.
After I got the blood from my nose and cheek to stop dripping and the ringing in my ears stopped (was only using foam ear plugs for hearing protection) I pulled the bolt back and the brass did not eject. I took the rifle back into the house and used a rod to tap the brass out, which was not stuck at all. I was originally thinking case head separation, as I have had that happen a time or two, but when the brass fell out it was in one piece but it was completely missing the primer.
The load was a mild load of 44grs of H4831 and it was a WLRP. After cleaning the bolt and chamber I tried to load another round into the rifle to see if it would cycle the bolt won’t eject the case. I will do a bit more tinkering with the rifle but I’m thinking it will be off to a gunsmith to check it out and repair it. I’m thinking I will not be able to get parts from Cooper to repair it myself.
Just thought I would post this as a reminder that #### happens and you so always be prepared for it when it does.
 
My first one happened during mule deer season this year. Same blood. same deaf ringing, same stuck case and missing primer. When I got home the brass came out very easily and after studying it I found the likely culprit. I had reloaded a bunch of brass given to me without measuring the length of them. This one and only one was way to long and when I closed the bolt the end of the neck crimped the bullet in very tight. I measured the neck and it measures .281 at the tip where you can see the obvious slope and further in it measures .290. I've been reloading for 34 years and learned a lesson for sure, check an trim brass. I show it to every body so they hopefully won't make the same mistake.
 
I've had cracked case heads and blown-out primer (which is most seldom) however, not to the extent that you experienced. WOW, blowback to cause injury, bleeding from the nose and cheek is an unusual event. Low powder charges will increase a pressure spike and known to cause issues. The incident probably caused damage to the extrator.
 
I just compared it to the bolt in my other 6mm and it does look like the extractor, which is still intact, is damaged. Thought maybe a piece of primer was stuck in between it and the bolt body but that does not look like the problem. I will get ahold of Clay from Prophet River next week and see where he recommends to get it fixed.
I also checked the length of the case and it is right on the trim length of 2.223”.
I loaded these rounds years ago and have only shot about 50 of them over the years. The rifle will shoot the 69gr bullets into a clover leaf at 100 yds but I wanted to use the 88gr up. Was going to use it for shooting coyotes at my bait pile as not worried about hide damage this year. Good thing I have other options until this is fixed.
 
second primer post today, good to hear your injuries were relatively minor and not life altering. I blew an entire primer out of a twice reloaded federal case and got a surprising amount of hot gas and powder residue back in my face. it wasn't a hot load so that's probably why I was not hurt at all except for tiny little pepper marks on my face. the case ejected normally and I found the primer lying in the bottom of the lug raceway. lesson learned the hard way, now I pay more attention to primer seating resistance. I suspect most reloaders have had a surprise or two, hopefully none have been maimed.
 
barsik said:
second primer post today, good to hear your injuries were relatively minor and not life altering. I blew an entire primer out of a twice reloaded federal case and got a surprising amount of hot gas and powder residue back in my face. it wasn't a hot load so that's probably why I was not hurt at all except for tiny little pepper marks on my face. the case ejected normally and I found the primer lying in the bottom of the lug raceway. lesson learned the hard way, now I pay more attention to primer seating resistance. I suspect most reloaders have had a surprise or two, hopefully none have been maimed.
Click to expand...

I often get flak at our range when informing shooters that they need to wear eye protection. The common answer by far is
" I only shoot factory ammo, it's safe"
I then inform them that that is fine, but they need to wear eye protection for their safety " just in case" and for our insurance purposes.
Cat
 
Only time I ever had anything blow back at me was a 22LR that split, it was pretty minor, just enough that I felt it pepper my face. I wouldn't want to get it from a high pressure load.
 
barsik said:
second primer post today, good to hear your injuries were relatively minor and not life altering. I blew an entire primer out of a twice reloaded federal case and got a surprising amount of hot gas and powder residue back in my face. it wasn't a hot load so that's probably why I was not hurt at all except for tiny little pepper marks on my face. the case ejected normally and I found the primer lying in the bottom of the lug raceway. lesson learned the hard way, now I pay more attention to primer seating resistance. I suspect most reloaders have had a surprise or two, hopefully none have been maimed.
Click to expand...

That reminds me of a bear hunting video that was posted on here a while back, where the guys action wouldnt close all the way rendering it unuseable. The bear hunted him and his girlfriend down. He was lucky to have a revolver or would not have made it. Problem ended up being a primer jammed where it didn't belong in the action.

Video is a worthwhile watch.
 
billdick said:
My first one happened during mule deer season this year. Same blood. same deaf ringing, same stuck case and missing primer. When I got home the brass came out very easily and after studying it I found the likely culprit. I had reloaded a bunch of brass given to me without measuring the length of them. This one and only one was way to long and when I closed the bolt the end of the neck crimped the bullet in very tight. I measured the neck and it measures .281 at the tip where you can see the obvious slope and further in it measures .290. I've been reloading for 34 years and learned a lesson for sure, check an trim brass. I show it to every body so they hopefully won't make the same mistake.
Click to expand...

Good advice for reloaders. I have seen new factory ammo that exceeds maximum case length before being fired, especially military 5.56, so the same issue can happen even with factory ammo. Don't assume factory ammo is defect free.
Skipping or not checking case length as a reloader will definitely cause you grief one day.
 
B-78 said:
After 40+ years of reloading and shooting thousands of rounds a year, I finally had a primer blow out. I was shooting one of my Cooper 6mms checking my zero with an 88gr Berger. Had been using it with a 69gr Bergers previously. Was going to shoot a 3 shot group but after pulling the trigger on second round I was hit in the face with blow back and what I found out to be primer pieces.
After I got the blood from my nose and cheek to stop dripping and the ringing in my ears stopped (was only using foam ear plugs for hearing protection) I pulled the bolt back and the brass did not eject. I took the rifle back into the house and used a rod to tap the brass out, which was not stuck at all. I was originally thinking case head separation, as I have had that happen a time or two, but when the brass fell out it was in one piece but it was completely missing the primer.
The load was a mild load of 44grs of H4831 and it was a WLRP. After cleaning the bolt and chamber I tried to load another round into the rifle to see if it would cycle the bolt won’t eject the case. I will do a bit more tinkering with the rifle but I’m thinking it will be off to a gunsmith to check it out and repair it. I’m thinking I will not be able to get parts from Cooper to repair it myself.
Just thought I would post this as a reminder that #### happens and you so always be prepared for it when it does.
Click to expand...
If the load was not too hot, there might be something mechanical that caused the blown out primer? Maybe the firing pin is too long, piercing the primer, or it has sharp edges?
May be a good idea to have a gunsmith examine the rifle before shooting it again.
 
I’m actually having this happen to me with an auto loader shotgun. Sometimes the primer is completely gone, sometimes it’s just swollen and partially leaving the pocket. I’ve tried wide open choke but get the same effect. It’s a tactical style 12 gauge that was given to me used so manufacturer wants nothing to do with it without a bill of sale. It’s not really my style either but don’t want to sell it or give it away knowing the issues.
Any ideas on what a guy could try on the cheap?
 
You mentioned in the OP that it was a WLRP. Was it by any chance from one of the lots that had piercing problems a few years ago? If memory serves me right, I believe there were about 35 different lot numbers that were affected,all blue box WLRP. .....catnip
 
Winchester primers with these lot number prefix’s are suspect for cup failures.

DHL
HBL
HFL
HCL
HAL

There used to be a more detailed list of lot numbers out on the web, but I’m having issues searching them at this time, perhaps someone can expand on the list of bad lot numbers.
 
catnip said:
You mentioned in the OP that it was a WLRP. Was it by any chance from one of the lots that had piercing problems a few years ago? If memory serves me right, I believe there were about 35 different lot numbers that were affected,all blue box WLRP. .....catnip
Click to expand...

I had two failures with those primers, they marked the bolt face on my Ross and Longbranch. Primers stayed in place, not hot loads. The cup itself failed not where firing pin hit.

Always wear safety glasses.
 
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