Abstract: A ram packer for a hydraulic blowout preventer is provided that includes a steel reinforced hard elastomeric body which has a recess in the packer face for receiving a replaceable wear insert having shoulders on the insert surfaces that are relieved. By relieving the shoulders of the configuration where they come into contact with the ram packer, a projection is created to make contact with the ram packer while leaving an elastomer flow pathway for the reservoir elastomer of the ram packer. This projection does not inhibit rotation of the wear insert, but is a spacer to hold a portion of the insert away from the back of the ram packer. The wear insert may be made of various materials according to the service in which used.