Holy primers - 357 max
What would be the most common reason for the primer to fire the cartridge properly, be fairly accurate, and leave a hole in the primer? These are 357 max handloads using H110 and CCI sm standard rifle primers. 140 gr speer JHP, working up from mid-range loads in 10 cartridge increments towards but not at max load. All fifty left holes in the primer but no other signs of pressure. Fired in 18 1/2" bbl rifle. Other 38 spl & 357 mag handloads and commercial 357max loadings have not experienced this problem. I have just prepped and reloaded these cases with another powder / primer combo and will test fire again this weekend.
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I think your on the right path to isolating the problem, and I assume that you did not start to see the primer problem until you were near or at your last loading.
If the problem persists with different powder and primer especially at load values that are mid-range for the bullet being used check the gun over.
Lastly, if you've got a current producton commercial source for 357 max. drop me an email with, or post the contact info for, the source as I would like to try their product. Still some of the old commercial loads around, but the price is sky high and anymore I've just stuck w/ reloading.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
4 things to look at, only 1 of them involves the ammo.
Firing pin protrusion (should be .040-.060 ish)
Firing pin tip, should be smooth and round with no sharp edges
Firing pin (or hammer) spring weak, the pin must be firmly held into the primer.
Primer itself, try a different brand of primer as some flatten/pierce at lower pressures.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
What rifle are you using? Is this a 357 Maximum cartridge or 357 using maximum loads? Does the rifle have an inertia (rebounding) firing pin? 0 -
I thought I was the only one having problems with holes in the 357 maximum primers. I have a Dan Wesson revolver in 357 max that I shoot factory & reloads in with the same results. It has even blown some primers back to the point it binds the cylinder from revolving. I now shoot mostly 38 or 357 mag loads with no problems. I would have thought the factory Remington loads would not cause this problem, but they seem to be the worst. I am currently loading 21grns of H110 with a 158grn bullet and still occassionally have primer holes. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
What rifle are you using? Is this a 357 Maximum cartridge or 357 using maximum loads? Does the rifle have an inertia (rebounding) firing pin?
The rifle is a .310 Martini Cadet rechambered in 1988 for 357 Maximum. It has fired hundreds of rounds, mostly handloads 38 spl and 357 mag, and 4 or 5 boxes of commercial 357Max with no problems. I went to the range two weekends ago (after my primer distress) and fired a box of target loads in 38spl and a box (50) of medium warm 357 mag with no primer or pressure problems. Contender Man; I have been lucky to find the Remington Max factory loads in both 158 and 180 gr JHP by asking at every pawn and shooting store as I traveled around my area and bought what I found. I only have two and a half boxes left so am trying to work up both good hunting, silouette, and target loads using the once fired brass I have kept. Do you have any suggestions? This is the first set of Max reloads and don't believe it has anything to do with the gun. I use CCI or Winchester primers, and use H-110, 2400, 296 for high end loads, and Bullseye, Herco, Unique or Red Dot for medium or target loads for handgun cartridges. I will be at the range this Sunday to try out the new combo and see if they give the same primer problem.0 -
Slick conversion.
I used to hunt down the former commercial ammo, but as it became more scarce the prices got out of hand. I still keep an eye out but the little I see is priced much higher than I will pay when I can reload muchmore economically.
As for specific loads ... I'm sorry, but in this litigation gone mad world I don't give out that info. But I will say that I started out using 2 and then 3 reloading info sources, started at the lower end of the data and ended up with good loads for my Contender barrels using different bullet weights and powders, all of which are actually somewhat below the max. load levels.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I hear you on the litigation thing. My Daddy said to be responsible for what you do, and row your own boat. Too many people out there wanting a free ride. The last box of 50 I bought at a pawn shop in Grayson, LA and the guy took it in on a trade with some other junk, He sold the full box to me for $11.50, no tax. I thought that was a great deal! 0 -
The Cadet Martini has too large a diameter firing pin for high pressure cartridges. The hole in the breechblock needs to be bushed and the firing pin diameter reduced to 1/16-5/64" diameter.
This problem surfaced in about 1960 when these guns were imported
and converted to Hornets and .222s.
You can have the conversion done or reduce pressures to the point of not piercing primers.
If you get someone to do the bushing job, tell him to put in a hardened bushing. A dead soft steel bushing will close in on the firing pin and bind it.
Been through all this 40 years ago.
Good luck0 -
The current source I use to get 357 max ammo is bullseyeguns.com. They handle dan wesson ammo in 357 max. Have three bullet weights- 158 hollow point, 170 grain flat point, and 180 grain flat point. Prices range from $12.95 to $14.95 per 20 round box. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
The Cadet Martini has too large a diameter firing pin for high pressure cartridges. The hole in the breechblock needs to be bushed and the firing pin diameter reduced to 1/16-5/64" diameter.
This problem surfaced in about 1960 when these guns were imported
and converted to Hornets and .222s.
You can have the conversion done or reduce pressures to the point of not piercing primers.
If you get someone to do the bushing job, tell him to put in a hardened bushing. A dead soft steel bushing will close in on the firing pin and bind it.
Been through all this 40 years ago.
Good luck
Thanks for the info, v35. But why wouldn't this also happen with the commercial ammo? Only on the handloads, all of them, incl medium loads did this????
iowacentral, thanks for the source for the ammo, I'm bookmarking for future reference.0
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