AXMC primer cratering / bolt bushing question

[Kiba]

Having just taken delivery of my AXMC I have a question for those who have been shooting them for a while.

I know primer cratering can be an issue in the AXMC with the large diameter firing pin when running some of the small primer brass with the 308 bolt, but how many of you have had primer cratering issues with the magnum calibers and large primers? I intend to keep this thing long action only, 300 PRC to start with and possibly 338 Norma or 338 Norma Improved later on. I don't have the barrels yet, but I'm thinking of having the bolt bushed ASAP to not ever have to worry about primer cratering and then I can have the barrels headspaced to the bushed bolt-- which will likely pick up 0.001"ish of headspace after the bushing job.

So, is this is a good plan, or is it not necessary if I plan on staying with the large rifle primer magnum calibers only?

 

[CRT2]

I have the AXMC in 300 Win Mag. Shooting Berger 230 gr at 2865, 210 Berger at 2870 and 200 gr ELD-X at 2934 with zero issues.

 

[Jimgal62]

I have the AXMC in 300 Win Mag. Shooting Berger 230 gr at 2865, 210 Berger at 2870 and 200 gr ELD-X at 2934 with zero issues.

Similar load in 300 WM.
Never had an issue with cratering.

 

[Kiba]

Good info. I've only seen a couple of people post about having cratering issues with the large primer magnum calibers, but thought I'd ask.

Still thinking about having it done just in case and never having to worry about a potential cratering problem. Only drawback would be needing a modified firing pin if one were to break. I wonder if LRI can make the bushing to use the new small AXMC firing pin that comes with the SFP AXMC 308 bolt...

 

[Huskydriver]

Never had an issue with 338 lm regardless of the load. I run a new sfp bolt with my 6.5 and the primers look amazing now.

 

[mercracing]

Also never had an issue with my 338LM.

 

[kRcu]

FIL had cratering issues with 28 Nosler and 6.5 Creed, but none on the .338LM. He just sent in all three bolts to be bushes and hasn’t had issues since.