Follow up on "Is my load safe"

[Hecklerusp45]

I recently posted a thread asking about a load of mine. I am loading 5.56 for my Armalite M-15. I am using FNM (military) 5.56 brass, a 55 gr, .224 dia. slug, and 26 gr of H335. The reason I was wondering about the load was because my primers were looking a little flat. Some books have that load as safe; others say it is over a bit. I did work up a few rounds with a charge that is 1 gr. lower, but have not gotten to try them yet. I was asked to post a picture of the primers in question, so here it is. I would appreciate any input that I can get. The primer in the middle came out of the original military (factory) load. The one on the right is from my reload. On the left is a primer that is also from one of my reloads. I actually had two (out of 50-60 rounds) that had a strange "scar" on them like on the one on the left. I think that I may have had some crud on the bolt face that caused this. I can't help but wonder if the primers that I am using are a lot softer than the factory primers. Any thoughts?

[da gimp]

how did you remove the primer crimp? Did you do it yourself? Always use a primer pocket swager, as these remove no metal from the case, the drill/auger types always remove metal , sometimes a dangerous amount.

I've never used those cases, so I cannot comment on a history of loading with them.

You might try using commercial cases, or even LC military cases that you've prepped yourself & see if the problem persists. Armalite AR' platform rifles are of excellent quality.

Was hoping Maury would chime in on this.

[Hecklerusp45]

I find that I don't always have to remove the crimp. I use a Lee hand tool to prime and a lot of the primes go in just fine without removing the crimp. When I find one that does not want to take a primer I have a small hand held auger. I can put the auger in the pocket, give one or two twists, and then the primer will go just fine. I remove a very small amout of metal this way.

[da gimp]

Then your pockets might be a tad loose , I cannot comment on whether that brand of brass's primers are even crimped though. Using Dillon's swager, we can run thru a 1000 cases very quickly. We resize & deprime on our Dillon 550's first station, then into the swager(only have to do a case once in it's life), then back into tumbler, trimming as indicated by a Wilson's case gauge.

[Hefights]

Need a closer pic of the case head, cannot see the primers well enough. Can you zoom in with the camera and get a clear shot? Are your primers seated below the case head. If you check factory ammo, the primers are seated a defined distance below the case head. Are you able to fully seat your primers in similar manner? Again, 26 gr of H335 is a borderline load, but may not be dangerous, it depends upon your rifle and components being used.

[Hecklerusp45]

I am attaching the best pictures I can get. The picture with 5 rounds in it is a 25 gr load, the picture with 4 rounds is the 26 gr load. I know the pictures are not the best, but they are the best I can do with my camera. I really can't tell a difference and am starting to think that the primers are soft (they are Federal).

[Hefights]

Hi, those are good pics. Primers on your 26 gr loads (4 cases) are definitely a little flatter in my opinion. As stated 26 grains is at the edge of published data. If it were me, I would back down to the 25 gr load. Question is, what purpose are your loads, and what velocity are you wanting? If just plinking, the 25 gr load should be fine assuming it is accurate enough for you. If you want to get above 3,000 fps consistently with less pressure, you may need to try a different powder.

Another thought, how are you charging your cases? I know it is a ball powder, but are you measuring the powder charges to see how consistent they are? Also, you may want to try some uniform type of brass . Looks like some headstamps are different. As you know different cases will have different volumes. The primers look different colors, but you say they are all Federal, could just be the light.

[joem]

Try to find someone with a chronograph and let them check your load. One of my AR's needs 2750 FPS with as 62 gr. pill.

[Hecklerusp45]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate the help. I believe the loads are consistant and have been checking them. The loads are going to be just for genaral pinking, but I am trying to match the M 193 because the sights on the AR are calibrated to the military ammo. I did use different cases for the pictures because I wanted to see if there was a difference in the look of the primers from case to case. I am going to try a few tomorrow with harder primers in them just to see what happens. Agian, thanks to all for being willing to help.

[Darreld Walton]

Did you notice the difference on the edges of the primers between the military cases, and the single RA commercial case? Military brass usually runs heavier, meaning less internal capacity, and if your loads are built from data using commercial cases, and nudging the upper limit, you'll see what you're getting now. Your load is probably all right in commercial cases, but I think I'd back off just a scoche if using those FNM's or even FC, LC, WCC, or any other GI case.