6.5 creedmoor small rifle verses large rifle primers.

9

98 220 swift

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I am needing to order some creedmoor brass. Most likely going to get some starline cases due to cost and have always had great luck with their product. They have options for small or large primers. Has anyone used the small before and how does it compare to the large. I have done some searching and people say the small brass lasts longer and is usually more accurate. This brass will not be used for hunting.
 
I've been under the impression a LR primer works better in cold weather. Cold weather is not a problem for my location. I prefer Starline's SR primer for my 6.5 CM loads. Also use it for some wildcats. Good brass too.
 
The thing that I like, (but havent tried yet) is that your brass last through more cycles supposedly than with large primered brass.
Also people having success with those small primered brass using CCI br4 primers.
 
once you have the powder weight and seating depth tweaked in you can play with primers. With Peterson SR cases in .260 Rem I am finding CCI450's give me slightly better SD's with some loads and Remington 7.5's in others. I keep BR4's , CCI 400 and 450's, Rem 7.5's and Federal Gold Medals on hand and play with them over the chrony once I settle on a load
 
Coincidentally, there is an article in the May 2018 issue of Shooting Times magazine by Lane Pearce comparing the small and large rifle primers in the 6.5 Creedmoor, using Starline brass. When he talked to Hornady, Hodgdon and Federal, they cautioned that the small rifle primers were marginal in the 6.5 Creedmoor, that the large rifle primers were better suited to the amount and type of powder typically used. The small rifle primer works well in .223 and similar size cases, but not so well with larger cases. Probably worth the time to find a copy of the article.
 
Coincidentally, there is an article in the May 2018 issue of Shooting Times magazine by Lane Pearce comparing the small and large rifle primers in the 6.5 Creedmoor, using Starline brass. When he talked to Hornady, Hodgdon and Federal, they cautioned that the small rifle primers were marginal in the 6.5 Creedmoor, that the large rifle primers were better suited to the amount and type of powder typically used. The small rifle primer works well in .223 and similar size cases, but not so well with larger cases. Probably worth the time to find a copy of the article.

So based on that article, Lapua is using the wrong primer in their 6.5x47 cartridge? It also uses a SR primer. And it's very close to the 6.5 CM. It also has a smaller flash hole. I don't know. But I'm think Lapua knows a thing or two about making quality brass and ammo. All of my 6.5 SR CM ammo has always gone bang for me.
 
Per Starline's website:

Our 6.5 Creedmoor brass uses a Large Rifle Primer. This is the standard for this round and it is what many prefer due to its reliable ignition no matter what temperature you are shooting in or the burn rate of your powder. For the Small Rifle Primer version, please see our SR 6.5 CM case.
 
Coincidentally, there is an article in the May 2018 issue of Shooting Times magazine by Lane Pearce comparing the small and large rifle primers in the 6.5 Creedmoor, using Starline brass. When he talked to Hornady, Hodgdon and Federal, they cautioned that the small rifle primers were marginal in the 6.5 Creedmoor, that the large rifle primers were better suited to the amount and type of powder typically used. The small rifle primer works well in .223 and similar size cases, but not so well with larger cases. Probably worth the time to find a copy of the article.
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I read this the night before I wrote this post. Caused me to question the case choice. I went ahead and order the small primer cases. After doing some more research most people have had better groups with them.
 
I know from loading .45-70 Gov't. that the small primer brass takes hotter loads better without stretching the primer pockets out so quickly. Buffalo Bore uses small primer brass in the magnum loads. I have quite a few of the cases. Though I admit to not loading them hot, as I am not that much of a glutton for beating up my shoulder.


I run Hornady brass as it was what I could get for a fair price when I bought my rifle. Honestly I think with a proper work up of load either will work well. I prefer not to spend so much time chasing the ultimate bug hole load. A very good load will do what I need, and I do not have to spend a ton of time and money to get it dialed in.

The brass should work well for you.
 
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