02-01-2014, 04:43 AM
Not only do you have cratering, but significant ejector channel extrusion (brass flow into the ejector hole).
Primers start to crater in the mid-high 60,000 psi range. I also load for the .270 Winchester, which is rated to 65,000psi by SAAMI. Start loads and loads in the lower-to-mid range won't show any of the signs I'm seeing on your brass, even when I shoot it in hot weather, and they are at or over 60,000psi easily.
Keep in mind that the Grendel is a SAAMI-rated 52,000psi Maximum Average Pressure cartridge. Something is wrong.
The extreme pressure signs on your brass, combined with the visible damage to your bolt indicate something very wrong. I obviously cannot recommend shooting this anymore, and would advise you to seek guidance from the source of the barrel/bolt combo and ammunition maker.
Just in case, record the ammo lot number. I think I know where the problem is, but record the lot # anyway. If you have a short throat, and the projectile is jammed, these signs would be consistent with that condition.
If you have any of the loaded ammo still, take a marker and color the projectile ogive, while keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction, carefully chamber a round of the loaded 123gr SST, then remove it. You can slowly close the bolt, then extract it while keeping your finger in the ejection port to prevent the ejector from forcing the ogive against the inside of the barrel extension. Tell us what the projo looks like after performing this.
Primers start to crater in the mid-high 60,000 psi range. I also load for the .270 Winchester, which is rated to 65,000psi by SAAMI. Start loads and loads in the lower-to-mid range won't show any of the signs I'm seeing on your brass, even when I shoot it in hot weather, and they are at or over 60,000psi easily.
Keep in mind that the Grendel is a SAAMI-rated 52,000psi Maximum Average Pressure cartridge. Something is wrong.
The extreme pressure signs on your brass, combined with the visible damage to your bolt indicate something very wrong. I obviously cannot recommend shooting this anymore, and would advise you to seek guidance from the source of the barrel/bolt combo and ammunition maker.
Just in case, record the ammo lot number. I think I know where the problem is, but record the lot # anyway. If you have a short throat, and the projectile is jammed, these signs would be consistent with that condition.
If you have any of the loaded ammo still, take a marker and color the projectile ogive, while keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction, carefully chamber a round of the loaded 123gr SST, then remove it. You can slowly close the bolt, then extract it while keeping your finger in the ejection port to prevent the ejector from forcing the ogive against the inside of the barrel extension. Tell us what the projo looks like after performing this.