CCI #34 arsenal primers info?

[FieroCDSP]

Hi, folks. While grabbing stuff to load my 39 and 54 russian cartridges, the only rifle primers they had in stock were marked magnum or the CCI arsenal primers.

I've seen mention through searches that the #34's are magnum equivalent.

First: How would a magnum primer affect a load for a standard primer..
Second: Anyone got a prefered load for these primers?
Third: I grabbed a bottle of Varget for the 54, not realizing that I don't have any info on using it in 39's. Anyone with 39 Varget recipes chime in, if you would.

 

[NuJudge]

Magnum primers have a harder cup, and usually will give higher pressures, more positive ignition, and higher velocities, but not always.

I believe Varget is too slow for the 7.62x39. The slowest powder I've heard of anyone using in the 7.62x39 is IMR 4895.

 

[GunTech]

Hornady lists loads for Varget and 130 gn bullets, but Reloader 7 seems about the best powder I've found for the 7.62x39mm

 

[FieroCDSP]

I believe Varget is too slow for the 7.62x39. The slowest powder I've heard of anyone using in the 7.62x39 is IMR 4895.

I'm getting that feeling now. At least I can use it for the Mosin. What kind of reduction percentage should I consider for the sub of a magnum primer for a standard

 

[def4pos8]

My Speer #13 manual suggests use of the #34 for 7.62x39. I would use them if I could find some.

My Soviet/Russian SKS doubles at rare, random intervals due to firing pin bounce, even though my loads are light to moderate. Speer says that the primer cups of the #34 are thicker/tougher for this reason.

I DO have a supply of their #41 primers for .223 and have never had a double in my AR. I can always demonstrate a "slam fire" to students with standard CCI or Winchester primers but the #41 prevents this.

Speer says that the #34 and #41 are ballistically equivalent to their "magnum" priming mix for reliable ignition and combustion of ball powders at all temperatures. I believe them.

 

[koja48]

Haven't used CCI 34s, but went to CCI 41s for my AR loads (the small rifle milspec version). Backed-off my loads by 10% & worked-up again.

 

[GunTech]

BTW, I have stopped using #34s. They work fine but accuracy went all to hell in my M1A. Very inconsistent velocities.

 

[FieroCDSP]

So the magnum primers can be used in regular loads, but should be backed off and worked up, and are best for use with ball-powders that tend to shift in the case unevenly.

Okay, so I'm good with the primers for now, get some powder specificly for the x39, and I need to remember to check the primer size on the winchester 54R rounds I got.


Def4pos8: Have you looked into some of the firing pin mods a couple of companies do where they mill it down and give it a spring like the later models had?