Blown primer in .243 Ackley

After further investigation...the chamber seems fine, fired brass measures out at .272/.273 and a .272 reamer was used.

But, I did find with multiple fired casings that a bullet (Barnes, Badlands and Berger) will only go in a fired case by hand to the neck/shoulder junction. And I can feel a slight lip with a pick, so that's leading me to believe it may have a donut?!? So maybe the grooves on the Barnes are "hanging up" and making the problem even worse?!?
 
greenejc said:
Barnes bullets are notorious for creating higher pressures than regular bullets. What reloading manual did you use? If you are going to use Barnes bullets, I would recommend getting the Barnes manual and using it. You might also go to Hornaday bullets for your .243 AI. It doesn't sound like a reloading mistake to me. One other thing you might check is if your sizing die has been moved down on you, giving greater set-back on the shoulder. I had that happen with one of my .308 dies and that created a head space problem that duplicated what you're experiencing. Things like that happen, and they happen to everyone if they've been reloading long enough. I've been reloading for about 50 years and I've had other things happen, too. But check your shoulder set-back and see if maybe it is a little off.
Click to expand...

The Barnes manual is a joke and hasn't been updated in YEARS. They have all of their data online for free and even have the 95 LRX data for most calibers.
 
If your bullet gets hung up at the neck/ shoulder junction then you definitely have donuts. Surprised to hear that on an Ackley since neck turns into shoulder. Usually get donuts the other way around
 
reubenski said:
If your bullet gets hung up at the neck/ shoulder junction then you definitely have donuts. Surprised to hear that on an Ackley since neck turns into shoulder. Usually get donuts the other way around
Click to expand...

The Barnes manual is old.... But... It does state, and it is true..... DO NOT SEAT BULLETS ANY CLOSER THAN .050. As a matter of fact, most people have found that .100 to .125 off the lands and grooves proves more accurate and with more speed.... Remember- these are a solid bullet and they liked to be forced with jump. Most all, if not all Barnes factory ammo is set at about .125 off.
If the rifle is chambered correctly, most Barnes factory ammo is very accurate. Your hand loads will be too, just give them some jump.
 
reubenski said:
If your bullet gets hung up at the neck/ shoulder junction then you definitely have donuts. Surprised to hear that on an Ackley since neck turns into shoulder. Usually get donuts the other way around
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm confused by it also. I'm going to check them closer this weekend.
 
can1010 said:
what is the neck dia. of a loader round? if more than .269 then you need to consider turning necks if smaller you will be fine
Click to expand...

I believe it's more than .269 but I'll check this weekend.

Would I only need to neck turn with the Barnes since I don't have this issue with Bergers or v-max?

It may be a combination of Barnes, a tight neck and a possible slight donut...adding up to the perfect storm...
 
If the chamber is correct and chamber clean the next thing would be the powder charge its self.
I got out my loading books last night. A 1967 Hornady manual and 7th addition, With 95 to 100 gr. Jacket Core bullets and H 4831 they list starting load as 42.0 (Forty Two and zero tenths). and 45.5 gr. (Forty Five and Five tenth grain) as Max. Load.

LYMAN 45th edition lists with H4831 with 100 gr. Jacket Core bullet Lists 40.0 Gr. as the starting load and lists 45.0 Gr. (Forty Five and Zero Tenths) as MAX LOAD. Pressure lists at 51,600 psi.

Some data suggest drop Jacket Core loading data by 10 o/o for use with Barnes Mono bullets. With 10 percent cut in starting load, would put the starting load at 37.8 (Thirty Seven and eight tenths)
You may have to reconsider the powder you are going to use or the load weight.
Good Luck in finding a solution to this problem and a solution.
 
LoneTraveler said:
If the chamber is correct and chamber clean the next thing would be the powder charge its self.
I got out my loading books last night. A 1967 Hornady manual and 7th addition, With 95 to 100 gr. Jacket Core bullets and H 4831 they list starting load as 42.0 (Forty Two and zero tenths). and 45.5 gr. (Forty Five and Five tenth grain) as Max. Load.

LYMAN 45th edition lists with H4831 with 100 gr. Jacket Core bullet Lists 40.0 Gr. as the starting load and lists 45.0 Gr. (Forty Five and Zero Tenths) as MAX LOAD. Pressure lists at 51,600 psi.

Some data suggest drop Jacket Core loading data by 10 o/o for use with Barnes Mono bullets. With 10 percent cut in starting load, would put the starting load at 37.8 (Thirty Seven and eight tenths)
You may have to reconsider the powder you are going to use or the load weight.
Good Luck in finding a solution to this problem and a solution.
Click to expand...

That's for a standard .243 Win, correct?
 
adam32 said:
So to obey our new lead free law I'm starting to load up ammo for my hunting rifles.

First up is my .243 Ack, my go to rifle that has always shot 105gr Berger's

I cleaned it real good with Shooters Choice like I always do. It's a Broughton 5c so it cleans up extremely easy.

I loaded 5 of the 95gr Barnes LRX with H4831SC.

I started at 46 then 47, 48, 49, 50 based on loads I found online and QL calcs.

First shot at 46gr the bolt barely opened and the primer was in the mag box!!!! Plugging the 46gr load into QL comes up with 45,248 psi...I know there's lots of variables with QL and I accounted for the ones I know. Even still, this load is low compared to everything I've found.

I went back and pulled the remaining bullets and weighed the powder charge, all were correct. It was also a new unopened jug of powder.

Any ideas????
Click to expand...

What velocities are you getting?
QL is only calculated (not knocking it) but real data is better.
That will tell you a lot about what is going on. If the velocity is up there then then try the lower starting load.
 
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