Learning pressure signs

I'm not seeing much of ejector marks except on 2 cases. Nothing pronounced.
Does somebody have a good illustration of pronounced ejector marks?
(I can look through some old throw-away cases when I get home and photo them).
If you get shiny ejector marks or any resistance in bolt lift, you're at or above safe pressure.
 
I agree with @gltaylor that is called ejector marks which may be indicator of reaching pressure. There are other factors that can cause those as well but tied to powder weight and velocity usually good indicator you are into pressure. Me? When I hit eject marks, I back off my load cause I like my brass to last longer plus if you shoot in different environmental conditions you may increase pressure quite a bit.

Just remember EVERY rifle and chamber is different so let your rifle tell you what the pressure max will be.
 
Here's a few pics for you gl.
Running them like this, they will have a pretty short life.
Also a bit of soot around primer.
 

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Nexhunt said:
So I'm pretty new at this but I don't see any issues with my primers but once I get up to a certain point I get little shiny marks on the head. No stiff bolt or jump in velocity. Is this too much pressure? The reason I ask is because I get very good groups with these and very low ES. .308 154gr HHT out of a suppressed 18" barrel at 2785 -2800 fps. Should I back it down??
Click to expand...
Those primers and case heads look healthy! You are not in over pressure state.
 
Nexhunt said:
Are those primers slightly cratered as well?
Click to expand...
The one one the right shows a little.

Yours aren't too bad, and looks like BFD beat me to it.

Primers,bolt lift, ejector mark, velocity jumps(big) all are a part of it. No single thing one can point to.
Measuring spent primers are good also.
These 2 pics for example, one is the right primer punched out and measures .2125 pics from above.

2nd pic 25-06 with a loose firing pin hole. 700rem, the brass in this rifle are always this way.
 

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While I confess I make some poor decisions in life (Eg, tonight…ugh…keep your mouth shut, @BFD…oh, and GO BRAVES!!! ), I agree with everyone above. You’re only close on a few, but you’d be best served by examining decapped primers.
If you don’t want to bother with that and you’re shooting a bolt gun and you’re not concerned with brass life and you’re using a temp stable powder (that enough conditionals? 🤣), follow the big man’s advice and let her eat. Not a bad place to be w/ an 18” barrel!
Merry Christmas, Hammerheads!
 
@Nexhunt: the one criteria to remember is a load developed in cool/cold weather may spike in pressure in warm weather. Add in non temp stable powder, it can get exciting in warmer weather.

See that you are new member so welcome to Hammertime! The links below will help you down the Hammer path.
=====================================
Just a reminder to review these threads:

Thread 'Attention All Members: Privacy Review Request'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/attention-all-members-privacy-review-request.456/

Thread 'Forum Rules'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/forum-rules.649/

Loading Hammer Bullets - What Have We Learned?​

gltaylor Global Moderator (originally posted 6/7/2022) Loading Hammer Bullets-What Have We Learned? A question came up – “How do you load your Hammers and how did you start?” I bet the vast majority of us started loading cup and core lead bullets. Some of us started loading to try and get...
hammerbullets.com

Hammer Load Data:
Thread 'Hammer Hunter Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/hammer-hunter-load-data.7/o

Thread 'Absolute Hammer Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/absolute-hammer-load-data.8/

Thread 'Hammer HHT Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/hammer-hht-load-data.562/
 
Nexhunt said:
So I'm pretty new at this but I don't see any issues with my primers but once I get up to a certain point I get little shiny marks on the head. No stiff bolt or jump in velocity. Is this too much pressure? The reason I ask is because I get very good groups with these and very low ES. .308 154gr HHT out of a suppressed 18" barrel at 2785 -2800 fps. Should I back it down??
Click to expand...
No worries, Let Her Eat
 
Muddyboots said:
@Nexhunt: the one criteria to remember is a load developed in cool/cold weather may spike in pressure in warm weather. Add in non temp stable powder, it can get exciting in warmer weather.

See that you are new member so welcome to Hammertime! The links below will help you down the Hammer path.
=====================================
Just a reminder to review these threads:

Thread 'Attention All Members: Privacy Review Request'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/attention-all-members-privacy-review-request.456/

Thread 'Forum Rules'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/forum-rules.649/

Loading Hammer Bullets - What Have We Learned?​

gltaylor Global Moderator (originally posted 6/7/2022) Loading Hammer Bullets-What Have We Learned? A question came up – “How do you load your Hammers and how did you start?” I bet the vast majority of us started loading cup and core lead bullets. Some of us started loading to try and get...
hammerbullets.com

Hammer Load Data:
Thread 'Hammer Hunter Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/hammer-hunter-load-data.7/o

Thread 'Absolute Hammer Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/absolute-hammer-load-data.8/

Thread 'Hammer HHT Load Data'
https://hammerbullets.com/hammertime/threads/hammer-hht-load-data.562/
Click to expand...
Muddy, to simulate hot weather rounds when loading in winter I've been keeping the rounds warm. In a pocket of my insulated overalls, or heat the box of ammo with the lid open with the truck heater vent. Considering the powder temp is what causes 98% of the change in velocity I think it's working pretty good. It also shows side by side comparison of the temp stability of powders being used.

Conversely, if one were loading for cold weather knowing ammo would match temp from being in the gun for the hunt, then leave it outside for an our before the range session.
 
BFD said:
Muddy, to simulate hot weather rounds when loading in winter I've been keeping the rounds warm. In a pocket of my insulated overalls, or heat the box of ammo with the lid open with the truck heater vent. Considering the powder temp is what causes 98% of the change in velocity I think it's working pretty good. It also shows side by side comparison of the temp stability of powders being used.

Conversely, if one were loading for cold weather knowing ammo would match temp from being in the gun for the hunt, then leave it outside for an our before the range session.
Click to expand...
Fantastic idea!!
 
When I have a primer go in too easily I try to get it to come out by holding the case at an angle and rapping it on the loading bench. If the primer moves at all I push it back in and do the fingernail polish thing. When it dries I mark the case across the head. After that one is fired it is tossed.
 
RichCoyle said:
When I have a primer go in too easily I try to get it to come out by holding the case at an angle and rapping it on the loading bench. If the primer moves at all I push it back in and do the fingernail polish thing. When it dries I mark the case across the head. After that one is fired it is tossed.
Click to expand...
Does the nail polish hold the primer in place alone, or is there a crimp of the primer pocket too?
My worry when primers are so loose are the gas leaks that cut holes into the bolt face...
 
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RichCoyle said:
When I have a primer go in too easily I try to get it to come out by holding the case at an angle and rapping it on the loading bench. If the primer moves at all I push it back in and do the fingernail polish thing. When it dries I mark the case across the head. After that one is fired it is tossed.
Click to expand...
I like this. I accelerated the demise of about 1/3 of my 280 REM brass in testing powders. 😬
An assortment of Remington, Federal and Hornady. Primer pockets are definitely expanding.
 
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