Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Unsual amount of cratering when using Fed 215M's(are they soft)?

Hello all,

Been tinkering with my 257 Weatherby trying to find an optimum load for 115Gr bullets. I'm using Federal GM215M primers and have noticed that anytime I even get remotley close to Max, I get slight to moderate cratering around the firing pin strike. I find no other signs of pressure. I've reloaded many rounds in 220 Swift and 25-06 using Rem 9.5 and 9.5 Mag primers and have never seen cratering at or even slightly above max.

Are Federal 215's soft compared to other primers? I've shot plenty of Weatherby factory loads that supposedly use Fed 215 primers and have never had one crater on me and Weatherby factory loads are pretty hot.

What do you guy's think?

Thanks