Has anybody else had factory ammo that showed pressure signs?
I have on two occasions. Once was with winchester white box .22-250. I was getting 4300 fps (I think) on the chrony. It was 200 fps higher than the velocity listed on the box. After about a half dozen rounds I blew a primer and I haven't shoot a round of it since. The brass was flowing into the extractor groove, almost all the case heads were shiny from opening the bolt. In hindsight, it was stupid to keep shooting but I could not believe the factory would load them too hot. I still have the rest of the ammo.
The second occasion was just a few weeks ago. I ordered some Federal Premium 7mm WSM from midway on closeout with the 150 nosler solid base. My primary reason for buying it was to try out the federal cases for reloading, as I read the win cases were softer. I also figured if they shot accurately I would have good ammo to use this season. First shot blew the primer. I could barely get the bolt open. I didn't shoot any more.
I think in both cases, it was likely due to shooting when it was too hot out. It was summer both times. With the 7mm it was in the 90's, don't remember on the .22-250, it probably was just as hot. I am sure they loaded the rounds with ball powder and it was just too hot. I have the 7mm rounds in the freezer, when I get a chance I'll try another round to see if it makes a difference.
In the case of the .22-250, I am surprised that they loaded them so hot. That is a round that could be used in the summer on prairie dogs. The 7mm, that is a big game round and in most cases it would be a lot cooler than 90 degrees when you use it.
Only once. I made up a great load for my 300RUM in the winter, when it was 10F out. Summer came along and it was bout 90F one day, and I shot and locked up the brass in the gun.
I have seen some 300wsm factory loads that showed pressure signs as well as weatherby loads in more than one chambering.It seems that both weatherby and winchester have loaded a little too hot in order to match their claimed velocities.
I had the same problem with 22-250 in the winchester 40 gn hps. sent it back to win. they said ti was all good and in spec even with the blown primers and the one that fell out of the case . They did send me 25 bucks for for product purchase and paid the shipping . Ihad a problem with some Federal 12ga they did the same .
__________________
Ragedy red neck works to hunt
"I was powerfull confused for a month or two once but never lost " Brian Kieth in Mountain Men.
As an update, I shot another round of the federal 7 wsm after I had the ammo in the freezer. Bolt lift was at least as difficult as the first one, and the primer blew.
A few years back I was at the DU Festival in Memphis. While shooting a Weatherby in 257 Wby we had the bolt lock up. Seems Norma loaded that lot just a tad fast. Primers pierced, blow-back and EXTREMELY stiff bolt movement was the result.
The Weatherby guy took the box back to a store room and stated that they'd ship it back to the factory to be sure.
__________________
suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were in congress, but I repeat myself. - Mark Twain.
Has anybody else had factory ammo that showed pressure signs?
I have on two occasions. Once was with winchester white box .22-250. I was getting 4300 fps (I think) on the chrony. It was 200 fps higher than the velocity listed on the box. After about a half dozen rounds I blew a primer and I haven't shoot a round of it since. The brass was flowing into the extractor groove, almost all the case heads were shiny from opening the bolt. In hindsight, it was stupid to keep shooting but I could not believe the factory would load them too hot. I still have the rest of the ammo.
The second occasion was just a few weeks ago. I ordered some Federal Premium 7mm WSM from midway on closeout with the 150 nosler solid base. My primary reason for buying it was to try out the federal cases for reloading, as I read the win cases were softer. I also figured if they shot accurately I would have good ammo to use this season. First shot blew the primer. I could barely get the bolt open. I didn't shoot any more.
I think in both cases, it was likely due to shooting when it was too hot out. It was summer both times. With the 7mm it was in the 90's, don't remember on the .22-250, it probably was just as hot. I am sure they loaded the rounds with ball powder and it was just too hot. I have the 7mm rounds in the freezer, when I get a chance I'll try another round to see if it makes a difference.
In the case of the .22-250, I am surprised that they loaded them so hot. That is a round that could be used in the summer on prairie dogs. The 7mm, that is a big game round and in most cases it would be a lot cooler than 90 degrees when you use it.
Has anybody else had something similar happen?
Yes. Years ago, I had blown primers from a lot of factory-loaded .264 Win. Mag. ammo. More recently I have been at the range when the same thing happened to a guy shooting factory .300 WSM ammo...sticky bolt lift & blown primers. So it CAN happen!
__________________
"Bitte, trinks du das Wasser nicht. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
Only once. I made up a great load for my 300RUM in the winter, when it was 10F out. Summer came along and it was bout 90F one day, and I shot and locked up the brass in the gun.
Think the question regards FACTORY ammo.....
__________________
"Bitte, trinks du das Wasser nicht. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
Only once. I made up a great load for my 300RUM in the winter, when it was 10F out. Summer came along and it was bout 90F one day, and I shot and locked up the brass in the gun.
Think the question regards FACTORY ammo.....
I know, but since this the reloading forum, I figured we should be talking about reloading stuff. At least try to keep it somewhat on reloading. And just showing that it is possible for a factory load to shoot well on a cold day and too high pressure on a warm day.
But thanks for helping me know what the topic was.
I guess I might be off topic posting about factory ammo in the reloading forum, but I don't think too many non-reloaders know much about pressure signs.
I am wondering what to do now. I think I will buy a cam lock bullet puller and pull the bullets, dispose of the powder, and load them with a reduced load to shoot varmints. Then I can at least use the brass and the bullets.
Too hot factory
