Pressure signs/concerns on 308 Rem 700 5R

[Devlin]

Hey Guys:

Looking for some input on the primers picture below, here is the background on what I am shooting/loading:

I'm concerned by what appears to be cratering on the primer on the reloads picture below but see similar primer marks on the factory ammo I have put through the rifle, the bolt cycles fine and is not sticky or heavy to lift on either the reloads or the factory ammo. The primers still have a curve to their edges that can be felt by fingernail drug across them and don't feel or appear to be flattened out at all from what I can see and feel. The rifle has always left a these crisp indent (and not the perfectly smooth little flowing indents I see on other rifle/ammo combos) on primers since I've owned it and is bone stock no modifications to bolt or action to date...maybe this is just the way these firing pins hit?

I realize one pressure sign isn't in and of itself an indication of a problem with a load but always like to bounce these sort of things out to this audience to be certain and get a healthy dose of second, third, 500th opinion ;-) . Thoughts and opinions welcomed.

Load & Rifle Info
-Remington 700 5R in .308 with stock factory barrel
-Lapua Brass (initial full length size done)
-Federal Premium Large Rifle Match Primer NO. GM210M
-168 grain SMK's
-Varget @ 43.4Grains
-OAL - 2.800"


Brass pictured on left is Lapua Reloads (described above) Brass on pictured on right is Federal 165 Grain Sierra Gameking BTSP (only factory stuff I had on hand to compare too)

 

[stubblejumper]

The cratering is likely due to the firing pin hole in the bolt faced being oversized. It's actually fairly common with 700s.

 

[Gunsmoke]

Devlin;

My Rem 40X in .223 Rem used to do that until I had the firing pin hole in the bolt face bushed. Looking at the data you present above; your loads appear to be quite reasonable.

Brian

 

[ultimate_monkey]

^^^^ exactly , my 5r does it to nothing to worry about really you could have the hole bushed if you want to . I've never bothered and run 45.4gn of varget under a 175smk

 

[308BAR]

^+1^

When you start getting ejector on the rim of your brass, flatten primer and heavy bolt lift then you should back off on the load. Your primers are still very round at the edges.

 

[albayo]

The primers look normal coming out of the New Remington 700's.
I have a 5R in 308 and am fortunate it has a regular size firing pin hole.

I had an accuracy problem with my 5R. I had to shim my scope because I couldn’t get the scope to line up with the shots on target. It shot a foot low at 100yds with the horizontal adjustment at its lowest position.
First I tried a number of different bases and scopes to confirm what the problem was.
After asking a few questions on CGN, I received some very helpful suggestions from experienced shooters and hopefully it will correct the problem. Thanks to all that helped.

Getting back to your inquiry about the firing pin hole, this is my experience.
A young friend of mine bought a Remington 700 Police in 223 and the firing pin hole was huge. Firing factory ammo the primer flowed back into the hole and cratered on the firing pin. It was much worse than yours it was jagged and on the verge of rupturing.
He sent the gun back to the Remington warranty centre in Quebec and they sent him a new gun. Because of these problems I hesitate to buy anymore Remington products, it used to be a name you could trust.

 

[Shibby!]

Mine look similar in my load development on my new SPS.

I sometimes get a light marking of the ejector, but have yet to get sticky ejection and badly squared off primers. I'm still doing ladder tests to find a load the gun likes but I've shot .75 MOA on a few groupings already (5shot) that were in the low 43.2 to 44.8 gr varget with 178 AMAX's. Same brass as you with CCI-BR2 primers.

 

[Devlin]

Cheers thanks for the replies gents, appreciate the insight offered here and looking at the bolt on my rifle yes the hole for the firing pin is indeed fairly large.

43.2 to 44.8 gr varget with 178 AMAX's. Same brass as you with CCI-BR2 primers.

Ha! Funny you mention this combo I just loaded 20 test rounds with CCI-BR2 ans 178 Gr AMAX with Varget...we'll see how they do, looks like a promising round.

 

[Shibby!]

Cheers thanks for the replies gents, appreciate the insight offered here and looking at the bolt on my rifle yes the hole for the firing pin is indeed fairly large.



Ha! Funny you mention this combo I just loaded 20 test rounds with CCI-BR2 ans 178 Gr AMAX with Varget...we'll see how they do, looks like a promising round.

I think for a "budget" shooter, it's a good choice. The Amax's are reasonable in cost, so is Varget, but the BR2's aren't as cheap but I've been informed the whole package is a "good load" matched with Lapua brass.

I'm just getting into this, so just absorbing information as I go along.

Once I selected a 178gr load, I'm also going to push the envelope with a 208 and 155 so I have three loads to compare at varying distances. Probably do the 155 next for a sub 500 paper pusher. Then see how it compares to the 178 in long range in varying conditions. I think the 178 will be the "go to" load though.

Reloading makes shooting so much better!