Winchester .44 Mag primers expanding

[Burley]

Hi, looking for some ideas as to whats happening. Winchester white box 240 gr. LSP is jamming up my Mod 29 with high primers. The primer is sunk a bit in its pocket but bulges after fired. This is one of those guns I've had but never shot and the ammo is a couple of yrs old. So, my questions are, is the gun or the ammo at fault and what should I do about it? I'll try new ammo next chance I get.

 

[BruceM]

If your gun is an older model with the hammer mounted firing pin, check to see if the hammer nose bushing has sunk backwards from the breach face, allowing the primer to extrude into the vacated space, It's also time to check headspace.

Do the cases extract easily from the cylinder after firing a full cylinder?

Bruce

 

[Burley]

Thanks for taking intrest and helping me out. The FP is on the hammer, it's a 5" Classic. I don't remember the ejection as being particularly difficult. Also, the nose bushing is sunk a hair into the frame. Might be the problem. The headspace as I understand it must be pretty close as a slightly bulged primer jams the action.

 

[couleeflyfisher]

I had the same problem with a mod. 28 in the '60's. Primer backed out and hard to open the cylinder. Sent it back to S&W, bushing had backed up allowing primer to back out.

 

[Burley]

As I thought after the good advice and a close look, it has to home to S&W. Thanks again for the help.