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. The wear insert includes a substantially square insertion surface which corresponds to the recess in the packer surface. The substantially square insertion surface prevents rotation of the wear insert when it engages a rotating pipe passing through the blowout preventer. The wear insert may be made of various materials according to the service in which used.