Could I get an opinion on primer cratering?

[lightman]

I would say those loads look safe to me. The cratering could be the brand or even lot number of the primer or the firing pin/firing pin hole in the firearm. I don't see any flattening around the edges. When I'm working up a load I watch for flat primers and hard extraction. I also consider the book published max as max and don't exceed it. I load mismatched headstamps all the time in handgun loads unless its for a hot load, a match or a hunting trip. These get matching headstamps.

[hermans]

There is no sign of over pressure in either picture.
The slight cratering could very well be because the firing pin hole is enlarged and is allowing some metal to pass.
If you had over pressure the primer would fill the whole primer pocket, (no rounded edges.)
Everything looks fine to me.

I agree 100%

[swheeler]

I don't see anything that looks like high pressure, but primers are not the best way to diagnose that, sticky extraction will tell you when things are getting too hot. The cratering on the one case is just an indicator of an oversize firing pin hole. I have H110 loads that completely flatten primers but fall out of the cylinder, up them a full grain and the machining marks of recoil shield are imprinted on the primer and entire case head, you know your over then even though cases extract smooth.

[Eldon]

The primers don't tell anyone anything who can read English !

[chutestrate]

huh???

[Eldon]

Reading primers is like reading tea leaves. A CURRENT load book and a Chronograph will tell you what is going on better than anything but a pressure barrel.