smashed primers

[Ol` Joe]

Originally Posted by Larryjk

Did your friend buy his .264 new? If it was a used rifle, you cannot know what happened to it before it went back on the market. If a rifle has been piercing primers, the tip might be "flame cut". Instead of having a perfectly round profile, it may be more like a "semi'wadcutter" in profile. That would cause it to continually pierce primers. The only solution to that is a new firing pin. It would be wise to remove the firing pin and carefully and inspect the tip for damage.

Very possible answer to the problem.
If the primers have pierced before there is a good chance the tip of the striker is eroded and causing trouble.