crest117
Member
Some pistol calibers using small primers generate over 42,000 CPU pressures. Could small pistol primers be used safely in mild .223 loads? And if not, why not? Just curious.
Small pistol primer in .223?
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2ndtimer
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Not. Some 5.56 loads generate 60k+ maximum pressure. Small pistol primers have a thinner cup and would likely be pierced at rifle pressures and AR firing pins could also prematurely fire on recoil (or when you chamber a round).
Small pistol primers are in highest demand right now. You should be able to find someone to trade 1/1 for decent small rifle primers. Of course, if one of your fantasies is an etched bolt face and a face full of hot gas and burning powder, feel free to try those small pistol primers with warm rifle loads.
Small pistol primers are in highest demand right now. You should be able to find someone to trade 1/1 for decent small rifle primers. Of course, if one of your fantasies is an etched bolt face and a face full of hot gas and burning powder, feel free to try those small pistol primers with warm rifle loads.
crest117
Member
2ndtimer, I didn't say I wanted to try it, I was just curious as to why not.Not. Some 5.56 loads generate 60k+ maximum pressure. Small pistol primers have a thinner cup and would likely be pierced at rifle pressures and AR firing pins could also prematurely fire on recoil (or when you chamber a round).
Small pistol primers are in highest demand right now. You should be able to find someone to trade 1/1 for decent small rifle primers. Of course, if one of your fantasies is an etched bolt face and a face full of hot gas and burning powder, feel free to try those small pistol primers with warm rifle loads.
2ndtimer
Member
FWIW, some people even claim that standard small rifle primers (CCI-400, Federal 205, Winchester SR) shouldn't be loaded in ammo intended for use in an AR. They insist that ONLY thicker cup primers (CCI-450, CCI BR-4, CCI No. 41, Federal AR Match Remington 7 1/2, Wolf SR Magnum and Wolf 223) are safe to load for AR's. I have fired a thousand or so CCI-400's without issues, but save my Federal 205 and 205M for bolt action only. Just FYI, YMMV.
I don't use these primers for the extremely high pressured/hot 5.56 reloads. But I do use them for the run of the mill +/- 40,000psi blammo ammo loads for the ar's, bolt actions & contender.
I also use the same primers for my 357 & 9mm reloads. I've only burned thru 40,000 of these primers so far in the 223rem's, 357's & 9mm's. Haven't had any issues but I'm not loading anything to 5.56 levels either.
I also use the same primers for my 357 & 9mm reloads. I've only burned thru 40,000 of these primers so far in the 223rem's, 357's & 9mm's. Haven't had any issues but I'm not loading anything to 5.56 levels either.
2ndtimer
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I also have used quite a few of the S&B primers in both handguns and .223 rifles. Have a couple thousand left, wish I had more. They produced some very accurate loads in my Remington SPS Varmint .223.
brasscollector
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This is what a gas-cut bolt face looks like.
I would rather avoid this myself.
Western Powders and Hodgdon use WSR in their load data, even with Western's 5.56 NATO loads.
When I first started loading 223s, I was using CCIs 400 primer. I never saw a blown primer. But after reading of the possible issues, I switched to Rem 7 1/2 and WSP. Just to be on the safe side.
The 400s are for 300 BO subs now.
Blue68f100
Member
I used up my Rem 6 1/2 primers on my 357Mag, aka Mag primer.
2ndtimer
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Not sure about “not safe”, but certainly not recommended for .223 Rem. class of cartridges. Apparently they were originally designed for .22 Hornet which has a maximum pressure limit of about 80% of what stout loads run in a .223. Thinner cups are more likely to pierce at higher pressure, and in an A/R could result in a slam fire from the floating firing pin when a round is chambered. (The slam fire possibility in A/R’s is why CCI introduced their No. 41 primer and Federal now offers their A/R Match primer with thicker cups and reduced sensitivity).
Yes, you can load milder .223 ammo to reduce the chances of pierced primers, but you would sacrifice performance and possibly accuracy, as well. Not to mention the different point of impact between conventional .223 loads and your milder Remington 6 1/2 loads.
Blue68f100, You said you used up your # 6 1/2 primers in your .357 magnum? If thats the case, I can use them up in mine.
JJFitch
Member
Here is the "Primer" on primers and their application! It is three full pages of everything you always wanted to know!
https://www.sksboards.com/smf/index...6fb6135clb3k4&topic=56422.msg646510#msg646510
Smiles,
https://www.sksboards.com/smf/index...6fb6135clb3k4&topic=56422.msg646510#msg646510
Smiles,
Blue68f100
Member
Not a problem, will handle the pressure with no issues. They should work with most guns with lighter than factory main/hammer springs since they have a thinner cap.
peeplwtchr
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Someone posted on THR that Remington's website says not to use them in .223, I never checked, because I use BR4 for the thicker cup reason.
Going to Gun Broker now to watch bids for primers. Crazy prices, but if you want to shoot bring the deed to the farm. This is hoarding at its finest, but this is America. Free enterprise, watch the market, buy, and sell for a huge profit. After all isn't that what big pharmaceuticle companies do?
Again thanks for the help folks.
Again thanks for the help folks.
JJFitch gave me a heads up website / safety, Remington says CCI 6-1/2 should not be used in 17 rem. /222 rem. / or .223. The CCI 7-1/2 BR is the proper small rifle primer for these rounds. The 6-1/2 was intended for the Hornet.
https://www.sksboards.com/smf/index...6fb6135clb3k4&topic=56422.msg646510#msg646510
If I may, thanks JJ
https://www.sksboards.com/smf/index...6fb6135clb3k4&topic=56422.msg646510#msg646510
If I may, thanks JJ
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