Tell me about primers

[OLDMAN]

Is there a real difference between primers of the same class.  When the manual states that I am to use small pistol primers does it make any difference if they are CCI, Federals, Winchester or what ever.     Lets leave benchrest primers out of this, at least for now.

[Smokin54]

On another board I visit they did this one and remington came out far ahead . I guess I just dont shoot well enough to tell the difference (I keep trying though).

[Billy Marr]

:grin: I use CCI small rifle br in small rifle cases, CCI pistol for small pistol. Federal mangnum and remigton magnum for large rifle. Large pistol I like winchester and CCI

[gw]

Had someone tell me one time that some were softer metal than others. Suppose to make a difference in ignition. Not sure myself if this is true. I use Federal 215 Match Large Magnum Rifle primers. They did close up my groups.
                                    gw

[Bullseye]

I cannot see where it makes much difference.  Ex. some manuals just say to use a small pistol primer and other will tell you a make and model and not to change components.  My main experience has been with CCI and Winchester and their is a definate difference in the hardness between the two.  I break another rule and use Magnum Primers where the books call for standards.  But then other places you read where you should use magnums with high quantities of slow burning powder, but very few reloading books list a magnum as the standard primer.

My bottom line, I use what you are supposed to as far as "Small Pistol" for example, but that is about it.  I figure that if you start on the bottom of the load scale as you are suppose to and watch for excess pressure there will not be a problem.  I might get burnt by this someday, but I have never seen any difference in the pressure signs in the past.

[KN]

There is a difference in primer hardness, The Federal Gold Medal Match are the softest. I have a Taurus 85CH that I lightened the hammer spring on and it will only reliably fire these.KN

[Joe Kool]

Different brands of primers may or may not make a difference in the accuracy, velocity, or pressure of your load. I once was working up a load fot a 30-30 336 Marlin, using 150 bullets and WW748. Using CCI 200 and 250 primers the groups run 2"-2.50". After changing to a Federal 210 primer the gun would shoot under an inch. I could cite a few more situations was switching primer made a big difference. Most of the time changing the primer will have little effect, but sometimes it will. I've taken good loads to exceptional loads by changing primers. The best place to start is the primer listed in the source of the load. When I get a load that shoots good, I will then try different brands of primers to see if I can improve it. I think I have a box of every primer made on my loading bench. Be careful when changing primers. Lower the powder charge and work up to your original powder charge, while watch for pressure signs.