6.5 Creedmoor Factory ammo primer sizes.

[45/30-06OKIE]

Hello y'all! I'm debating getting a 6.5 Creed upper to replace my 308 upper on my DPMS pattern semi auto. I noticed it seems like some brands use small primers and some use large and some use both! I know Federal makes large and small 45 Auto brass so I would like to check and see if there were certain lines or types of ammo that were using large primers only? For instance, I'd like to get a bunch of the Federal Power Shok 6.5 creedmoor ammo but if it's not large primers then I don't want it. I only use large primers in my reloading adventures.
Thanks and I also maybe should ask if it's possible to change my username if I sell all my 270 stuff like I'm wanting to do and pick a different caliber for my username? Or is that not allowed?

 

[rayatphonix]

For the most part commercial ammo will use large primers. One exception would be someone who uses Lapua brass for their ammo. Federal has their own brass, or a source for it, and it will use large rifle primers. You’ll be good to go.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

For the most part commercial ammo will use large primers. One exception would be someone who uses Lapua brass for their ammo. Federal has their own brass, or a source for it, and it will use large rifle primers. You’ll be good to go.

Good to know. I do see Lapua makes small and large primer brass.... I'll probably stick with Fed Power Shok if I go through with my plan. I need to sell some stuff first lol.

 

[rayatphonix]

I reload and have both small and large primer brass. They shoot the same, at least for me. The theory is 1) brass for small primers lasts longer and 2) loads with small primers are more consistent. #1 makes sense

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I reload and have both small and large primer brass. They shoot the same, at least for me. The theory is 1) brass for small primers lasts longer and 2) loads with small primers are more consistent. #1 makes sense

Yeah I just like only buying large primers lol. I have a bunch of large rifle primers.

 

[JEBruns]

I went through this when I got my 6.5CM rifle back a year or so ago. I wanted small primer stuff because I didn't own any LRP's and they were (and still are) hard to source. But I found that small primer 6.5CM brass is hard to find. Actually pretty much impossible a year ago. So I think you're safe buying most commonly available stuff.

A good friend who'd gotten out of LR reloading sold me his supply of LRP's. I ended up going with mostly Hornady brass, by shooting up some of their excellent "Match" ammo.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I went through this when I got my 6.5CM rifle back a year or so ago. I wanted small primer stuff because I didn't own any LRP's and they were (and still are) hard to source. But I found that small primer 6.5CM brass is hard to find. Actually pretty much impossible a year ago. So I think you're safe buying most commonly available stuff.

A good friend who'd gotten out of LR reloading sold me his supply of LRP's. I ended up going with mostly Hornady brass, by shooting up some of their excellent "Match" ammo.

Hmm interesting. I haven't really been impressed with Hornady brass to be completely honest. I had some new 5.56 brass have super jacked up primer pockets after being shot once lol. Idk what the deal was. The primers never would seat flush...

 

[dartor]

I have picked up well over 100 fired 6.5CM Federal casings with small primers at the range. Federal offers both sizes. I'd open the boxes and check before buying. I'm low on large rifle primers so I've been using the Federal. I can't shoot the difference.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I have picked up well over 100 fired 6.5CM Federal casings with small primers at the range. Federal offers both sizes. I'd open the boxes and check before buying. I'm low on large rifle primers so I've been using the Federal. I can't shoot the difference.

Hmmm interesting... So I guess I would have to go to a local shop and ask if I can open a box of Power Shok ammo and check. And then go from there? Cause I hate to order a case of ammo and it be small primers... Cause I know that certain lines of 45 Auto ammo will use small or large depending on what it is. Seems like HST stuff is large primer and the budget versions like Punch or American Eagle will use small primers.

 

[dartor]

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I'm not sure what the factory loadings were, I only have cases. I do have both nickle plated and regular brass. I'll shoot a picture and post tonight when I get home from work.

 

[oncewaslost]

For the most part commercial ammo will use large primers. One exception would be someone who uses Lapua brass for their ammo. Federal has their own brass, or a source for it, and it will use large rifle primers. You’ll be good to go.

I bought a couple hundred once fired FC 6.5 creedmoor last year that had the small primer pocket.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you load small rifle primers in 6.5 Creedmoor, be sure to NOT use the crappy thin small rifle primers unless you want to deal with pierced primers and torched bolt and firing pin.

Do not use CCI 400 or Winchester small

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I just saw someone post in the rifle forum about federal 6.5 creedmoor ammo and his power shok ammo had small primers...... Sigh.... I guess I'll stick with 308 then.

 

[rayatphonix]

I just saw someone post in the rifle forum about federal 6.5 creedmoor ammo and his power shok ammo had small primers...... Sigh.... I guess I'll stick with 308 then.

Before I posted this morning I went to Federal‘s website to see if they had any information. If they did, I missed it. I don’t disagree with what people have seen, but I’m surprised Federal isn’t providing better information.

 

[AJC1]

Of all the 6.5 creed I've handled only federal had small and large. Hornaday and winchester were both large only. I no longer have the honey hole range or I'd scavenge you up some...

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Of all the 6.5 creed I've handled only federal had small and large. Hornaday and winchester were both large only. I no longer have the honey hole range or I'd scavenge you up some...

Ahh I actually saw some new factory Winchester brass that has large primer pockets on GunBroker for 50 cents a piece but it's cases of 1000... Maybe I can sell some stuff before they are all gone.

 

[dartor]

Here's the picture I have of the Federal cases with small primers. Thought I had some Federal with large primers but I don't. Have Norma, Winchester, and RP for comparison. I have been using the nickle plated and I remove primers when I get home from the range. Haven't tapped into the regular brass yet.



270OKIE have you thought about Starline for 6.5CM brass?? They have it on backorder status which in the two times I've ordered brass arrived in less than a week.

6.5 Creedmoor Brass - Large Rifle - Brass Cases

 

[AJC1]

Ahh I actually saw some new factory Winchester brass that has large primer pockets on GunBroker for 50 cents a piece but it's cases of 1000... Maybe I can sell some stuff before they are all gone.

The only case that I have near 1000 of is starline 357, and by dad had them hidden in the garage when he passed. 250 is plenty to test drive, unless your convinced you've found the one

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Here's the picture I have of the Federal cases with small primers. Thought I had some Federal with large primers but I don't. Have Norma, Winchester, and RP for comparison. I have been using the nickle plated and I remove primers when I get home from the range. Haven't tapped into the regular brass yet.

View attachment 1165799

270OKIE have you thought about Starline for 6.5CM brass?? They have it on backorder status which in the two times I've ordered brass arrived in less than a week.

6.5 Creedmoor Brass - Large Rifle - Brass Cases

The only case that I have near 1000 of is starline 357, and by dad had them hidden in the garage when he passed. 250 is plenty to test drive, unless your convinced you've found the one

I appreciate y'all's responses! I will be seeing if I can move any stuff in the next few weeks or months and then I'll see about looking into 6.5 creedmoor. If Redding fixes our 308 die Ill try to size some commercial brass and see how that goes. If it still gives me trouble then I will swear off 308 for good.

 

[JEBruns]

The only case that I have near 1000 of is starline 357, and by dad had them hidden in the garage when he passed. 250 is plenty to test drive, unless your convinced you've found the one

He's shooting an AR though. So will likely go through more rounds per range trip. I have about 300 pieces of 6.5CM brass, which is way plenty for my bolt action Tikka.

 

[JEBruns]

Hmm interesting. I haven't really been impressed with Hornady brass to be completely honest. I had some new 5.56 brass have super jacked up primer pockets after being shot once lol. Idk what the deal was. The primers never would seat flush...

Can't say I've used any Hornady .223/5.56 brass. Mostly use LC there. But they've been great through several firings in my CM loads. Produced a .35" 5 shot group with them recently at 100yds, using 130gr ELD-M Hornady bullets and Varget.

 

[AJC1]

He's shooting an AR though. So will likely go through more rounds per range trip. I have about 300 pieces of 6.5CM brass, which is way plenty for my bolt action Tikka.

If you've been following the 308 saga then you would follow my logic...

 

[Barmcd]

I have used Hornady LRP 6.5 brass and now use Lapua 6.5 CM brass with small primer pockets. Velocity, or more to the point, ES and SD is better with Lapua brass. I can’t attribute that to primer size though. I do get many more reloads with Lapua brass. I anneal every reload.

I don’t notice any discernible difference in accuracy or velocity between SRP and magnum SRPs. However, The SD and ES are definitely better with magnum primers.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have a AR-10 in 6.5 CM and have only shot with SR primers. I made that decision early on and glad I did due to availability of primers. LR are still non-existent in my area.

The one thing I will say is that the AR will bend the bullets feeding from magazine due to the long length of bullets exposed. When I test I single feed using a bobsled so I know nothing is happening to the bullet and it helps slow down the shot rate to cool the barrel. I have a sub moa load for my gun as long as I single feed using the bobsled. If I feed from a magazine they all go high right 2+" from POA. So shooting really long bullets may be a problem if your after accuracy and want to magazine feed.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I have a AR-10 in 6.5 CM and have only shot with SR primers. I made that decision early on and glad I did due to availability of primers. LR are still non-existent in my area.

The one thing I will say is that the AR will bend the bullets feeding from magazine due to the long length of bullets exposed. When I test I single feed using a bobsled so I know nothing is happening to the bullet and it helps slow down the shot rate to cool the barrel. I have a sub moa load for my gun as long as I single feed using the bobsled. If I feed from a magazine they all go high right 2+" from POA. So shooting really long bullets may be a problem if your after accuracy and want to magazine feed.

I'd probably stick with light bullets like 100gr to 120gr range? I shoot the heavy 140gr-156gr stuff in my 6.5 PRC. But this is still up in the air for now. As I will wait and see if the 308 die gets fixed from Redding and will need to try to size some Federal or Winchester 308 hunting ammo brass and make a decision from there.