[scrat]

lets here it options

cci

winchester

federal

[CZ57]

Great idea scrat! I don't really think it's an issue of one being better than another, because many times a specific primer works best for the combination of powder and bullet used with it. But for kicks, I'll see your Federals and raise with CCIs!;)

[Ben Shepherd]

Federals seem to be the most consistent for me. As a bonus they're soft. So guns that have had things lightened up have less trouble with ignition.



I use CCIs for certain stuff off and on. But I've found them a little inconsistant in thier physical dimensions occasionally.

[ReloaderFred]

For consistancy of ignition, almost every match shooter I know who is shooting bullseye, PPC, or any other discipline that requires a great deal of accuracy on small targets with handguns, prefers one primer, and that's Federal. I use a lot of them, but I also use Winchester, Remington and CCI for other applications. I've used more Winchester than any other primer, but I prefer Federal when I can get them for my match guns. For the guns that haven't been match tuned, then just about any primer will do.

I do have some loads that have a certain primer dedicated for that specific load, such as the .45-120 Sharps, which requires a Winchester Large Rifle Magnum primer to set off all that powder. Some pistol loads also require a specific primer, such as the 9x23 Winchester and 9x25 Dillon. I've found that the .400 Cor-Bon requires a hard primer in the newer cases made with a small primer pocket, as sold by Starline.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[The Bushmaster]

I didn't vote because I use two of them equally...CCI and Winchester and a few Remington...

[azredhawk44]

I've found that the .400 Cor-Bon requires a hard primer in the newer cases made with a small primer pocket, as sold by Starline.

Just an aside, I was told that when I got into the 400corbon and bought CCI small rifle primers for it as instructed by CorBon. Nothing but FTF's as a result. Switched to small pistol primers (CCI or Winchester, didn't matter) and problem went away. Platform is a Glock model 21.

But in regards to this poll, I favor CCI large rifle primers for my .308, Winchester large rifle primers for 30-30, and Winchester primers for all handgun loads.

Aside from the hard-to-find CCI military large rifle primers, the CCI large rifle primers seem to be the hardest cup to prevent slam fires. But, the Winchesters seem to fit their respective primer pockets better than CCI's... I've never had a high primer using Winchester primers in my revolvers, but they are a nuisance with CCI primers.

[Walkalong]

I have Federals, Federal match, Winchesters, and Remington Match right now. I have been using Win exclusively for my auto loads for a while. I am rethinking using Winchester for revolver rounds, but testing is not done. :)

[R.W.Dale]

I've used them all and have had equally good results with all of them in terms of constancy and accuracy. BUT I have had way too many misfires with CCI's primers. To the point that I'm beginning to suspect that every CCI LR primer uses a #34 cup.

[scrat]

WHAT:what: :what:

come on none of you guys use a match

:D

[Moondoggie]

I prime cases with a Lee Auto Prime. Used it for 20+ yrs.

When I started reloading I used CCI's. Used to have quite a bit of trouble getting them seated. About 5% or so would get "mashed" into the primer pocket. :what:

Tried some WW's and never looked back.

[Hazzard]

I use CCI because they are readily available and they work well for me. I have used Federal and they seem very consistent but are much more scarce in my area.

[wally]

I use whatever is cheapest, but try to avoid CCI as too many mis-fires in too many guns because either they are too hard or don't like to seat properly.

Mag Tech have been on sale a lot and seem to match Remington in performance.

I tried PMC and while they didn't have the mis-fire problems of CCI I didn't like the "feel" when seating them.

I've been very happy with Federal, Winchester, Remington, and now Mag-Tech.

Doubt I'll buy anymore CCI or PMC.

--wally.

[Redneck with a 40]

I recently bought a case of magtech primers from Midway for $89.99, I bought them because they were significantly cheaper than anything else. Anyone have any experience with magtech? On the Midway customer reviews, they got 5 stars for the most part.

[nitesite]

I've got 3,000+ Winchester small pistol primers on hand.

And about 1,800 Federal small pistol primers.

2,000 Federal large pistol primers.

1,000 Winchester large pistol primers.

2,000 Winchester 209 shotgun primers.

500 Winchester large rifle primers.

1,000 CCI small rifle primers.

900 Remington 6-1/2s.

Soooo.........

I really can't say I have a favorite. :)

[ReloaderFred]

nitesite,

If my supply got down that low, I'd get all out of breath and panicky. I won't say how many I've got on hand, though, but it's enough to get me by.

Fred

[Mal H]

come on none of you guys use a match?I used to try that, but the darn round never went off and I always ended up burning my fingers!




(Sorry - that one was impossible to ignore. :) )

[scrat]

hahahahahahaha

thanks for making my night

[Idano]

Very interesting results. If everyone is correct that CCI primers are the hardest and Federal primers are the softest then it appears the majority prefer a softer primer. I have been a CCI user for 33 years, specially since they are manufactured here in Idaho and are usually the cheapest, besides I have not encountered any of the problems mentioned above. I have also used Remington, Winchester, and Federal with no problems either. The closest thing to a primer related issue would be with swagged military brass where the swage was not completely removed. Nothing messes up a progressive more then running across a swagged case during priming, which is why I invested in a Dillon Super Swagger. Also I have never encountered a primer detonation in my primmer assembly that some have that might possibly be contributed to the softer primers; who knows.

[StrikeEagle]

I use Remington for Small Pistol and Winchester for everything else. It's what I've been doing for 30 years or so and that's what I worked up my loads with.

Not sure now how I got started with these brands... it probably was what I found cheapest at the time and I just stayed with them.

[dakotasin]

i like federals for almost every application. they seem to fit in the pockets tighter, and haven't had any trouble w/ them.

when i don't/can't use federal, i use cci.

[kellyj00]

use a match? nah, go flintlock... it's much better technology.

Get with the times, geez ;)

[schmidtbender]

CCI LP
CCI benchrest for all "normal" CFs 22H, 270, 30-06 etc
Federal magnums for 22-06, 300 WM/H&H, 375 H&H, 400 H&H
WRA 209s for shotshells

[BAGTIC]

I almost always use CCI because that is what was most available where I lived. Why work up a load with one primer and then discover you couldn't get more when you needed them? No point in reinventing the wheel.

[Fatelvis]

Maybe I'm not observant enough, but I havent noticed much differance in accuracy, if I switch primers between loads. In the 100-300 yd. position shooting that I do, I feel I'd be splitting hairs if I were to say one was better than the other. Practicing marksmanship, to me, is much more important. Shooting from a bench with a rest, would make it more obvious.

[JDGray]

I voted Win, since I've never had a bad one, I know no other:D

[Ala Dan]

Federal by far~! ;):D

FWIW, probably a little bit softer than the other's which allows
for good ignition~!

[Dorryn]

Ive had no problems whatsoever with Magtech.

[ilbob]

I use whatever happens to be available to me when i go to buy them. It just sort of depends what is available at the gun show where I generally get them.

I am inclined to try the magtech primers from midway just because the price is right.

[scrat]

amazing winchester seems to be the favorite among us.

[wally]

Why work up a load with one primer and then discover you couldn't get more when you needed them?

I stick with mid range loads and over the years have found with these, primer brand makes little if any difference. Heck even using standard primers for my .357Mag loads when I ran out of magnums was not that noticeable, although it was noticeable enough that I'd suggest being careful about changing primers when pushing max loads.

I too have been very pleased with MagTech large pistol primers, haven't tried the small yet.

--wally.

[Picknlittle]

I started out reloading with federal LR match primers because a friend gave them to me. In the first hundred rounds I had six misfires.

I bought MagTech LR primers and since then I have had zero misfires. What's best? I don't know, but at this point in time MagTech is what I'm loadin.

If my loads are happy, I'm happy! :)

[Rinspeed]

I've always liked Federal.

[db_tanker]

I have always liked Winchester...my first batch of primers I got was CCI and they were inconsistent at best...at least with my loads...so I switched out to Winchester and now thats all I use...I load small pistol mag, small rifle and large rifle.

As I have said before on here I use nothing but mag primers all across the board...and yeah...I work up my loads from start. :)


D