Thread: Overpressure - yeah or nah?

Been working up a 73gn ELD-M load for my Savage 16 223.

Reviewing the cases after the range session I noticed some pretty extreme primer cratering, but no sticky bolt, flat primers, extractor marks or anything else that would indicate overpressure. Quickload thinks I'm still under SAAMI max pressure for my exact load and I'm about 0.5gn over hornady book max.

Question for the experts: is this really overpressure or just excessive firing pin clearance on the savage bolt?

I recall using CCI small rifle magnum primers a while back and never seeing this sort of thing - the ones I am using now are CCI std small rifle, maybe the magnum primers had a thicker cup?

I'm reluctant to change it because it's performing really well.

I am using 23.7gr AR2206H.