I went to the range today just to sight my rifle in. I was shooting norma whitetail 6.5cm 140gr ammo out of a savage axis. Ended up with 3 pierced primers which slightly gassed my face and some weird looking primers. Everyone at the range was baffled at what happened, I shot some other brands of ammo without issue. The norma had vertical stringing and erratic hits I have used this ammo before without issue. The firing pin is hitting hard i will need to measure it once i have the proper specs but that does not explain everything that happened. I need some help on this one and i hope i put it in the proper thread can be moved if needed.
Brad.[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/9kt69mufo4t7mvn/Screenshot_20220925-230725_Gallery.jpg?dl=0[/img][img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/vaggfqmj3fznd76/Screenshot_20220925-230729_Gallery.jpg?dl=0[/img][img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/czst62wxovin2bc/Screenshot_20220925-230734_Gallery.jpg?dl=0[/img][img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdmefmp70du3wiy/Screenshot_20220925-230739_Gallery.jpg?dl=0[/img][img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/759h8pwk5avdmx1/Screenshot_20220925-230743_Gallery.jpg?dl=0[/img]

Simple solution, forget the Norma Whitetail in this rifle

More involved solution, have the bolt bushed so you can use a smaller firing pin

Your pictures:

What Darryle said. I had to have two Remington 700 bolts bushed for similar issues.

Throw that Axis in a wood chipper and go buy yourself a rifle.

You are leaving out the important part. If he follows your suggestion, he will be off to buy the next best econo rifle. He needs to go out and buy a good rifle..

OP did you experience heavy bolt lift or see any signs of ejector marks?

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This brings up another concern, this isn't the first time I have read of issues with pierced or cratered primers with the Norma Whitetail 6.5 Creedmoor ammo. I have seen it on multiple forums involving a myriad of rifles, bolt and AR rifles.

There has to be something to it, I wonder what primers they use? I think I have a .065" firing pin diameter in the only 6.5 Creedmoor I have, hole measures .067". I think I will pick up a box next time I am in town and see what it does in this X-Bolt Long Range Stalker. I have been loading the Berger 130gr VLD-H fairly hot using the Federal GMM 205M, Lapua SRP brass and H4350 powder and see none of these issues.

Trying hard to uncomplicate this for you. Striving to keep this as inexpensive for you as possible. Use the other ammo you have and sell the remaining Norma to someone else. It obviously is to hot for your Axis...mb

Never do this. Wood chippers are meant for wood, and you will only damage the chipper. Much better to just throw it in a pond.
Seriously, the problem may be firing pin tip shape, protrusion, firing pin hole diameter, and/or spring preload; this, in combination with a soft primer cup. It is not excessive pressure. Nonetheless, if other ammunition works well, just avoid the Norma. GD

Quite honestly this is a beater rifle I bought while recovering from a shoulder injury it was cheap and available. I do not want to put much money if at all into it as I plan to buy a better rifle in this caliber or put an ar together. I shot other ammo federal, Winchester, nosler and hornady all had catering to some extent but not nearly as severe. After measuring the Firing pin protrusion it varies from .0595-.062 I found other examples of what I had happen across multiple platforms and rifle quality on other forums as was stated above with this ammo.

I did have heavy bolt lift and faint ejection marks. My buddy shot some of the ammo I have it did the same thing in his tikka I believe it's an ammo issue. The firing pin protrusion seems excessive compared to my other rifles. I will be contacting norma about this as it has occurred in two rifles.