[dullh]

Every gun store within a 45 mile radius of me is out of Federal primers. One store, however, had plenty Winchester primers on hand, so I picked up 500 large rifle and 500 large magnum rifle. My questions follow:

Why are Federal primers so much more popular than Winchester?

Anything in particular wrong or to be wary of with Winchester primers?

Of the five people I asked about this, 3 swore by Federal and would not use Winchester primers. The other two said use whatever is available because, while there may be minute differences between the two, you wouldn't notice the difference on a chrono plus there's absolutely nothing wrong with Winchester.

So if you shy away from Winchester primers, why?

[Rodentman]

I use any primers I can find. I haven't noticed any difference between brands except some seat a bit harder than others.

I'm not an expert, nor do I chrono my loads.

YMMV.

[edelbrock]

I stay away from Federal because I don't have room to store them. I mean really, is it necessary to pack them like that? You can store 1000 Remingtons in the space 200 Federals take up.

[Gryffydd]

Your only problem will be shooting them in light sprung revolvers. If you've put light springs in you might have some not light off. Since you're talking rifle primers that's probably not going to be an issue.

[helg]

PM me your address to schedule pickup of these Winchester primers. I will recycle them properly on a range.

Federal primers have the softest cup among all others. This provides more reliable ignition on wide varieties of match guns, where firing pin striking force varies a lot due to competition-related mods.

From the other side, the federal primers are the easiest to explode in a loading press. Most manuals for progressive presses warn not to use federal primers.

This explains both sides: the one that likes the federal, and the other one.

[dullh]

"PM me your address to schedule pickup of these Winchester primers. I will recycle them properly on a range."

While I appreciate the offer, that's not what I'm saying...see, I am new to reloading and when you're new you have to sift through the dung to get good info, not conjecture and "Ford vs. Chevy" type bias. I will use them because the brand makes no difference to me - as long as they work and I fully expect anything made by Winchester to work.

Just so you know these primers will be seated in rounds used in bolt rifles, specifically 7mm-08 and .300WSM...

[06]

I use lots of CCIs and have had no problems ever.

[edelbrock]

Just so you know these primers will be seated in rounds used in bolt rifles, specifically 7mm-08 and .300WSM...
I doubt you will notice much of a difference.

[The Bushmaster]

I didn't know Federal primers were the most popular...Who told you that. Most people I know use Winchester or CCI...

I think you'll find that Federal is feeding the military more then anyone else...

[helg]

While I appreciate the offer, that's not what I'm saying
I did not mean to harm. I was trying to say that Winchester primers are good for me, and I believe that they should be good for you as well.

[Mags]

I prefer winchester over Federal they seat alot smoother.

[dullh]

"I didn't know Federal primers were the most popular...Who told you that."

The fact that every gun shop within a 45 mile radius of me was completely out of them told me that. Winchesters (and Remington primers for that matter) were in good supply at one shop.

"I did not mean to harm. I was trying to say that Winchester primers are good for me, and I believe that they should be good for you as well."

No, I didn't take it that way, and didn't mean my reply that way. These forums are nice but nuances are lost when only words appear - misunderstandings that are non-existent in face-to-face conversation seems to surface when we use these keyboards.

[frankt]

Federal primers are one of the most sensitive and therefore are very popular as they will fire under most situations. So will Winchesters,CCI, Remington etc, except in some rare situations.

I always buy Federals if I can get them as I have some lightly sprung revolvers that sometimes won't be 100% with other brands. These are revolvers I shoot in competition. My carry revolvers will always fire with any primer.

[Remo-99]

dullh any of the brands of primers are most suitable for general reloading purposes, some people may have a preference for one brand over another for certain reasons i.e. giving tighter groups in their particular benchrest rifles or maybe slighty less sensitive primers to avoid slamfires in certain guns.

Hearing statements like winchester are junk, just because someone doesn't prefer to use them, is not fact just a bias opinion.

If Federal/CCI, Remington, or Winchester etc. really did produce crap primers, they would not be around, to be making them for so long.

[onestar]

Just be glad you found some primers and load them up and shoot. I switch small rifle primers all the time depending on what's in stock. I recently got 5k of the wolf magnum small rifle primers and all I ever heard about them was negative but I have nothing bad to say at all. In fact I would buy them over several other brands plus they are cheaper too.

[The Wiry Irishman]

I prefer other brands over Federal because the harder cups give me better tactile response through my press's handle when priming. They seem to shoot the same.

[Walkalong]

I have used Federals and Winchesters interchangeably in all but max pistol loads. Not enough difference to notice. So, I started buying Winchesters because they took up less space. I bought some CCI's a few months ago and I like them as well.

If you have a max load, back off a couple of tenths or so, depending on the charge weight, and work back up. If not, you are good to go.

[Ateam-3]

I have reloaded with all of the mentioned brands and have not had any problems at all. I tend to reload with Winchester and CCI the most because they have been the easiest to find.

I did read earlier this year that reloaders in general will have an extremely difficult time finding Federal primers throughout the US. This is because of the military usage. Apparently, Federal primers are used almost exclusively in military ammunition. Whether this is true or not, I don't know.

[Landric]

I have noticed that Federal Primers are softer and easier to crush than other brands. I've been handloading for over 15 years and have used all the big brands. Other than Federals being softer, I haven't noticed any real difference. I buy what I can get and have never had a problem.

I like Federal primers, but I also like Winchester, CCI, Wolf, etc. I don't have any match [cheat] guns that need Federals though.

[45ACPUSER]

Most manuals for progressive presses warn not to use federal primers.
Prove that! No freaking way......I have used upwards of 25K of Fed 150 primers a year loading on a Dillon 550, funny I have never had a kaboom!

[45ACPUSER]

If you are not married to the Federals, as previously noted a tuned revolver may require them, then for general purposes handgun primers are good to go. No way would I say that with Rifle primers!

[SyberShooter]

I've used all the majors over the last 35 or so years and will take Winchesters over the others for general loading. They seat a lot easier and I get fewer marred or crushed when using a RCBS hand primer seater. I like CCI for 223 and Federal Gold Medal for target loads but for all around loading Winchester is my preference.

[dwave]

I am a winchester fan myself. Didn't like Fed. primers just because of how much space they take up on my bench.


I am the bone of my gun
Lead is my body, fire my blood.
I have created over a thousand bullets
Unaware of loss
Nor aware of gain
Withstood hours to create many rounds
I have no regret, this is the only path
My whole life has been "Unlimited Ammo Works"

Modified from Fate/Stay Night

[redneck2]

Actually, there is a difference in primers. I have any article from a number of years ago that outlines the differences. Some are significantly hotter than others. There is a factor called "bristance" IIRC that measure the heat and intensity.

Now, whether this means anything in terms of your loads may vary greatly. I have no idea how one would quantify that in a particular load unless you had a pressure barrel.

I can tell you that, given individual situations, changing primers can yield a noticeable increase or decrease in group size. Only experimentation can see if it makes a difference for you.

[ArchAngelCD]

I use mostly Winchester and CCI primers and buy whichever are cheaper at the time. I don't buy Federal because of the very large box they use and the shortage of storage space where I reload. I like Remington primers for semi-auto rifle ammo because they are very hard. I buy them when I can't get CCI Military primers, like now.

I've used Winchester, Federal, CCI, Remington, MagTech and Wolf primers and didn't notice any differences that are worth mentioning. (except for the Federal primers being the softest and good for use in handguns with light springs)

[elktrout]

I have loaded Federal, Remington, Winchester, and CCI for over 30 years and never had a complaint (pistol and rifle). That said, the Federal 215 is the only magnum primer I use in my 7mm Weatherby. The 215, at one time, was regarded as the best to use for Wby magnums, so I have always used it and without complaint.

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

My best match load for my AR uses a generic WSR, I, have used many of them over the years no problem. My hot .357 load uses Fed SPM primer that is loaded on a Dillon 650 with no problems, the only trouble I, have had is older CCI's can get stuck in the primer feed tubes.

[Right Wing Wacko]

I have not been able to tell much of any difference between the primers I've used. I'm sure there is some, but it's not noticable to me.

That being said, I really hate all the extra packaging that Federal puts around their primers, CCI primers fit perfectly in my drawer. I like the Remington Packaging also, nice and small and compact.

With the current shortage, I use what I can get... brand be da*ned.

About the only time I would really prefer a certain primer would be CCI MilSpec primers for my AR15.

[BK]

I got started on Winchesters and haven't ever had a reason to dislike them.

[Roccobro]

Prove that! No freaking way......I have used upwards of 25K of Fed 150 primers a year loading on a Dillon 550, funny I have never had a kaboom!

This again? Just do a search on any reloading forum. This federal primer issue has been hashed to death.

Justin

[hillbillydelux]

I can honestly say I have never read in any of my 7 reloading manuals or the owners manual for any of my 3 reloading presses that warned me against using federal primers. I have used federal primers for years with no explosions. I will say this to help answer your question or to reaffirm what others have said. There IS A DIFFERENCE between primer manufacturers. Any reloading manual will give you the load they developed using a certain bullet, powder, COAL, and primer. However, You can use different primers than the ones recommended but you should start at the minimum recommended load and work your way up watching for "signs of high pressure". Just read your reloading manual and you cant go wrong.

[Ky Larry]

Several years ago I bought a bunch of PMC primers in various sizes at Bud's for $4.75 a 1000. These, and a few bricks of MagTech's have carried me thru the current primer shortage. They go bang every time and I can't tell any difference in accuracy. I've mostly used Win primers and will probably go back to them when the current insanity is over. Just my personal preference.
YMMV.

[71Commander]

I stay away from Federal because I don't have room to store them. I mean really, is it necessary to pack them like that? You can store 1000 Remingtons in the space 200 Federals take up.

The more sensitive the primer, the more space is required between them in packaging.

I need Federal primers for all my revolvers. My 625 has a 4.5 lb. DA trigger.;)