Flat Primers on stevens 200, .270?

[7stw]

My son recently bought a very accurate .270 in a Stevens 200. i mean to tell ya, this thing shoots. He is shooting a load that SHOULD be considered mild, BUT, it seems that the primers are very flat after firing, but NOT dimpled. Extraction is very easy, and resizing is very easy. I have changed primers, and powders to see if the load is to hot and tried different seat depths, and ALWAYS come out with flat primers. In any other rifle, it would scream "high pressure", but I don't seem to have any other indicators other than that. This thing shoots .750 groups at 100, and 1.5 inch groups at 350 yds. That is the only thing that sticks in my mind. There are no other pressure signs. has anyone seen this before. Could it be the bolt head design? I have tried to eliminate the usual possibilities, such as powders, loads, seat depths etc. Any thoughts? 7STW

[rjtfroggy]

Refer back to end of my last answer to you.

[tammons]

I have seen severely flattened primers on factory ammo.
How do you know your load should be considered safe ??
Every rifle is different.

Savage barrels are normally faster twist.

What is your load, COL, bullet and I will run it through QL.

Do you have any brass flow or large case expansion ??

[Don - LongRangeSupply]

Sounds like the headspace is a bit on the long end. Try resetting the headspace for a tighter fit and see if that takes care of it. If extraction is not stiff it is unlikely the pressure is extreme.

You might also try a thicker primer if the headspace adjustment doesn't fix it. Federal Match primers are thicker than most standard primer cups as I recall.

[Dirk]

Sounds like the headspace is a bit on the long end. Try resetting the headspace for a tighter fit and see if that takes care of it. If extraction is not stiff it is unlikely the pressure is extreme.

You might also try a thicker primer if the headspace adjustment doesn't fix it. Federal Match primers are thicker than most standard primer cups as I recall.

Large rifle primers are all the same thickness. The .270 Win uses LR primers. Granted, some LR primers are HARDER than others, but not thicker. Look at the chart in this link http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php