Problem with my 30-40 Krag reloads???

I got a 1898 Krag rifle recently, and took it out to the range yesterday. My loads were as follows:
150 gr FMJ bullet, 40.0 gr of IMR4064 powder, New RP brass and Winchester large rifle primers. Rifle shot very well (all in the black at 75 yards) with no trouble extracting spent rounds. Rifle checks good with no-go gauge. I noticed when I was picking up my brass that 50 out of the 20 had black smuges around the primer holes. All the other brass looked normal. None of the primers are raised. Any ideas as to what is going on?? The red marking is just felt pen to keep cases sorted.
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Might be you are experiencing what is being discussed over on the CMP "reloading" forum!

Apparently some lots of the WLR primers are doing just what your experience shows! --Jim

Here's the CMP thread that JimF referred to:
http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=122896

Thanks for the CMP link. That sure sounds like my problem. I've got to check and see what batch of primers I used for these loads. I just bought these primers (5000) 2 months ago! I'll check the spent primers when I deprime the brass very carefully to see if I can find any problems.

Well I only use CCI primers but if they are out of stock I'll be sure not to but WLR primers.

This must be a recent problem with the Winchester primers as I have never had any problems with them in the past. I do know that some of Winchesters small rifle primers were being made for them by S&B. I wonder if these were also made by them?

Well, I deprimed the brass and found cracks in primers that were in the shells with the smuge. I've contacted Winchester, and given them the lot number (DAL596G). I'll wait and see what they do about it.
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It's been going on awhile with them, I know a fellow I shot with at Camp Perry in August was having the problem beforehand and either switched primers or had enough time for the replacements to get to him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JimF

Might be you are experiencing what is being discussed over on the CMP "reloading" forum!

Apparently some lots of the WLR primers are doing just what your experience shows! --Jim

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I called Winchester and asked them if they were aware of this and the guy said no. He suggested that people who have experienced this send their spent primers to Winchester for analysis. He gave me a number to call and get directions for sending them in. 618-258-3453

I loaded 20 rounds with CCI primers, 20 with some older
Winchester, and 20 with some Federal. Shot them all loaded with the same load I used with the original ones. Zero blow outs. Every one shot perfectly. Shot five more of the original load with the Winchester primers and had one blowout. I think I can safely say they have a problem with this batch of primers.