Pierced primer

alde

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I had a pierced primer while shooting my 629-3 Classic. My load was 23.5 grains of H110 with 240 grain Hornady XTP's and Winchester LP primers. I only had one piered primer out of 100 rounds.

Should I be worried about this or back off on my load? All other primers looked fine.

Thanks for any info.
 
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Originally posted by shovelwrench:
How about postin pics of some of your primers...

That'll give us way more info. And, what kind of primers?

I can post pictures later but they are Winchester Large Pistol for Standard and Magnum loads. The 23.5 grains of H110 is a pretty common load for a 240 grain XTP.
 
I have had several. I shoot 40S&W in a S&W610. Its a very small hole with very small amount of dark area. I don't worry about it. If I were to get some cutting on the firing pin I would be worried. I have had probably 10 or 12 of them. No sign of a problem yet.
Phil
 
Lyman #49 and Hodgdon both report your load isn't over Max. I wonder if you had a defective cup since it was only 1 primer that was pierced. Winchester primers are usually of high quality.
 
Several things we don't know. I need to know them before I say "It wasn't over maximum."

It has been my experience that data for any ole' jacketed bullet doesn't always compute when putting an XTP bullet in the case. There seems to be more pressure developed when using them. Not that that is a bad thing, just an observation on my part. Could be part of the problem.

Secondly, OAL, what was yours? Too short of one and you can really get into trouble.

While it does seem odd that only one pierced, it is possible that you are on the "hairy" edge of things.

From the data I looked at on the Hodgdon website, I couldn't find any data for that exact bullet. Maybe a Hornady manual would shed a little bit more light on that subject. Just a thought.

There is a problem, don't sweep it under the rug until you have exhausted all knowable data. Sure it may just be one primer but it could be something else as well.

Let us know!
 
I have had the same issues with my 610, it pierced about 10% of rounds fired. The load was with 5.2 gr Titegroup w/155 gr LSWC also using WSP. Pressure at 28.4K + -.
I changed the load to 3.8gr Bullseye w/ the same others and that remedied the issue.
I asked the same question here when it occured. I just changed the load by myself and it got cured.
It is strange though that another 610 has the same issue.
 
Yes, it's a very small hole with a small dark area. My OAL is 1.605" which is .005" longer than the Hornady manual OAL. The cases were twice fired and they had a firm crimp.

It was only one out of the hundred and I have used this load before.

Today I loaded some up at 23.0 grains of H110 but using a Federal Magnum Primer. I will try these out Monday. I have always used Winchester primers with great results so the Federal primers are new for me with this load.

I also use this load in my Marlin 1894 and it's super accurate. It shoots well in both my 629 and Marlin. I have been afraid to try them in my 3" 629
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. Call me chicken
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.
 
So, since it appears that it may be a headspace issue, does anyone know of a recall? The only recall on the S&W site is for PPK's.
If it's a headspace issue, why doesn't it occur on every round fired?
What should the headspace be?
From where is the headspace measured?
 
My 610 has the C&S extra length firing pin installed. I am (when I can get them)using winchester WSP primers. My load is 185 lead flat points, 5.3gr WSF powder. That is not max. I have no sign of over pressure. I use moon clips with all rounds. I just checked the last 60 rounds that I shot two days ago. 4 had a very small black soot area. I just checked the firing pin and its like new. This 610 has had at least 3000 rounds through it. This has been going on from day one. I am still not concerned with it. I will be changing to titegroup as soon as I can find a can so it will probably continue. I can't use CCI primers. They won't always light. The winchesters go bang every time. I just assume its the winchester primers that is the problem. If someone finds out why I would like to know. I'll check back for new posts later
Phil
 
If you put a moonclip in with empty, undamaged cases, and use a feeler gauge. It should be below .01 (Ideal is .006-.008), the area between the rim and the firing pin bushing, that is. Check several cases for a consistent result. My measurement was .016. I also had flamecutting on the tip of the firing pin, wich made the pierced primers worse.

As to "why don't I have pierced primers on every round", I think that there are many variables that can be attributed to that. I can't tell you how many times I have experienced "part time issues" that drive me crazy trying to figure them out
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Another issue that i experienced was that the cartridge caseheads were bulged similar to brass fired from a glock. Both of these issues were signs that there was a headspace problem. In the end S&W felt the need to replace my cylinder to remedy the problem, I haven't had any issues since.
 
Schofieldkid81, thank you for your insight. I will check the space that you indicated and see what it's like.
I apologize if this is construed as a thread steal, but it does relate directly to the original question.
 
I have been using starline brass. I just checked my head space. With 6 rounds in moon clips I read .015 on 2 rounds and .017 on 4 rounds. If it needs to be below .01 then I need to contact S&W about this. I may not need the long firing pin if I get the head space corrected. This gun shoot very well and I am cautious about messing with it. I think I will send S&W an email and ask what they think about it.
Phil
 
I just used a feeler gauge on my 610 and it reads as follows:
.016
.016
.018
.018
.018
.016
Maybe S&W has an issue with 610's?
I think that I will contact them as well and see what they have to say.
 
Cool, Yeah if enough people have issues and report them, it lets S&W know where there quality is lacking.

ALDE, I am Sorry, it does appear that we have strayed from the original topic.
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Originally posted by Schofieldkid81:
ALDE, I am Sorry, it does appear that we have strayed from the original topic.
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No problem. It's all interesting to me. I hope you guys get the issue resolved with the 610's.

I had my 629 out yesterday and had the same thing happen with a 240 grain cast SWC and 8.5 grains of Unique. Again, just one round. The load with 23 grains of H110 and 240 XTP's had no problems in the 18 rounds fired.
 
I don't believe we are getting off topic here. The 610, 625, 629, and maybe several other frames I believe are the same. This is a group of guns that have different bore sizes and otherwise the same N frame. Am I not correct on that.
Phil
 
Just a thought.... The original poster had a one in a hundred incidence.

I have occasionally had a case with a slightly bent rim. Enough such that the HS is several thousandths closer to the breech.
 
I called S&W this morning and they have no records at this point about any issues with any 610 in particular.
However, they are sending me a free shipping tag so they can take a look at it.
Any thoughts about shipping other than the obvious removal of anything superfluous?
And alde thanks for the understanding on the thread.
 
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