Looking for advise on primers. I've been using CCI BR2 for large rifle, CCI small rifle, and pistol for a while. They were readily available at the LGS and price wasn't that much different until recently. The gander mountain near me closed, the C word (cabela's) turned to the B word (bass pro) and doesn't stock much just like the mills fleet farm. So.. I'm looking at online sources, powder valley and such. The Remington and Federal seem to be more cost effective compared to the CCI. Up's down's to the different choices? Is a magnum, BR, or standard primer comparable across manufactures?
Primer advise
- Thread starter 308Loader
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there is a ton of good info on primer testing out there CW
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2017/04/ultimate-large-rifle-primer-shoot-out-16-types-tested/
I am pretty much a CCI or Federal shooter. That's just me though. Here is a small primer test I did with .260 Remington using Peterson cases with small rifle primers
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2017/04/ultimate-large-rifle-primer-shoot-out-16-types-tested/
I am pretty much a CCI or Federal shooter. That's just me though. Here is a small primer test I did with .260 Remington using Peterson cases with small rifle primers
Reloader270
New member
I like my Federal primers. Never had a misfire in more than 30 years of reloading.
It's best to buy components locally. Buying 'em on-line gets expensive in a hurry due to hazmat and shipping fees. Neither of which are set by the retailer. Shipping fees are set by the carrier, not the seller. Hazmat fees are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation.
Anyway, you really don't need BR or magnum primers. Never noticed any difference between a BR and a regular primer. Even when loading match ammo. And magnum primers are about the powder used and sometimes the temperature, only. The name of the cartridge has nothing whatever to do with 'em. If your manual doesn't tell you to use 'em you don't need 'em. Mind you, the only thing that might happen if you do use 'em is a slight increase in pressure.
1024 x 791 pixels is too big.
Anyway, you really don't need BR or magnum primers. Never noticed any difference between a BR and a regular primer. Even when loading match ammo. And magnum primers are about the powder used and sometimes the temperature, only. The name of the cartridge has nothing whatever to do with 'em. If your manual doesn't tell you to use 'em you don't need 'em. Mind you, the only thing that might happen if you do use 'em is a slight increase in pressure.
1024 x 791 pixels is too big.
guess that depends on how accurate of a shot you are and how precise your equipment and ammo is. The reason I posted that graphic in my first post was to demonstrate how various primers can affect various loads. Compare group #2 with group #3. Group height will tell you more about a primer choice than group horizontal if your technique is good. Wind will and mirage will still play hell at short range. I had a 1 1/2 tall 20 shot group that was 4 inches wide at 300 this week. I have also found that different powders perform better with different primers, CFE .223 seemed to like the Remingtons better than CCI or Federal in my .223 loads and the stick powders seem to do better with Federal, BR4's, and CCI 450's in the .260 Rem Peterson SR cases. That is just for my gun and loads of course, could differ from rifle to rifle
You don't have to believe me that brand and premium/non premium make a difference. Read those articles I linked in my first post or shoot groups with 2 or more brands/types of primers over a chrono. The results can be dramatic
BTW I order my primers when I order powder. I save a bundle from LGS prices, get a better selection and save myself 10% on taxes. I don't mind the taxes as much as the limited selection and jacked up prices, add both in and it makes my wallet scream
I do buy small quantities of primers at the LGD and occasionally at a gunshow to have for experimentation. If I find a load that likes them I will buy a brick or three next powder order
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