345 DeSoto
Member
What, if any, differences are there between Bench Rest small rifle primers and regular small rifle primers?...
Bench Rest Primers?
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jwrowland77
Member
BR primers are made by only the most experienced or best primer makers in the factory, so they're going to be more consistent than say a person making regular primers that's been doing it for a couple weeks.
^^^This^^^
If you are talking about Rem 7 1/2 BR compared to Rem 6 1/2 Small Rifle Primers, there is other differences you should be aware of.
The Rem 7 1/2 has a thicker cup than the 6 1/2, it is also considered a Mag primer. The 6 1/2 with it's thinner cup is not to be used in high pressure rounds like the 223 Rem and the 204 Ruger.
If you are talking about Rem 7 1/2 BR compared to Rem 6 1/2 Small Rifle Primers, there is other differences you should be aware of.
The Rem 7 1/2 has a thicker cup than the 6 1/2, it is also considered a Mag primer. The 6 1/2 with it's thinner cup is not to be used in high pressure rounds like the 223 Rem and the 204 Ruger.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Manufacture of bench rest primers is said to be to stricter quality standards where the bench rest primers in turn offer greater uniformity. So I can for example buy CCI #400 Small Rifle primers in lots of 5,000 for about 143.99 (2.9 cents each) or I can buy CCI BR-4 Small Rifle Bench Rest primers in lots of 5,000 for about $249.99 (5 cents each). Either primer will go bang just fine but for the discerning bench rest target shooting crowd the feel they are eliminating one more variable in their hand loaded ammunition. Sort of like choosing Lapau 223 Remington Match Brass @ about $55 per 100 cases over Remington manufacture @ about $35 per 100 cases. What do I get for my additional $20 choosing Lapau Match over the standard Remington brass cases?
Pricing was selected at random from Midway USA. Your mileage may vary.
Ron
Pricing was selected at random from Midway USA. Your mileage may vary.
Ron
Can you elaborate on this? I have some 6 1/2s on backorder for use with .223. Are there any issues if all I plan on using them for is plinking?
Reloadron
Contributing Member
This comes up from time to time. Several distributors like Midway USA, Cabela's and others include this warning:
The Remington 6 1/2 primers were primarily designed for the lower pressure 22 Hornet type rounds.
However, with that said there are multiple threads on these forums like this one where the subject is beat to death and discussed. Interesting is that the only other small rifle primer Remington makes is the 7 1/2 which they like to classify as BR (Bench Rest).
I suggest you read the link and try a forum search for more threads. Then you can decide what you think. The consensus is load them and shoot them. Personally I don't use them, the 6 1/2 primers.
Also for what it is worth the Remington 6 1/2 has a cup thickness of .020" the same as CCI 400 cup thickness.
Ron
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derrinx said:
Sure, Remington puts out this warning on the box of the 6 1/2 primer and also on their web site.
In rifle cartridges, the 6-1/2 small rifle primer should not be used in the 17 Remington, 222 Remington, 204 Ruger or the 223 Remington. The 7-1/2 BR is the proper small rifle primer for these rounds.
Link.
http://support.remington.com/General_Information/Can_primers_be_used_interchangeably?
If you use them in your 223/5.56 you run the risk of piercing the primer cup. A pierced primer can damage the tip of the firing pin and also damage the bolt face. There are those that will ignore Remington's warning and there are those that will heed their warning. The choice is yours.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
On the bright side I am seeing plenty of small rifle standard primers available so I would think about cancelling Brownell's and getting some from another source. Here is an example from Cabela's.
Ron
Ron
Yeah I canceled them, I am sitting on 3k CCI SR primers anyway so no need to get more. The post saying that CCI SR and REM 6 1/2 have the same cup thickness makes me wonder though.
Matt Dillon
Member
I always use CCI #41 primers for loading .223 Remington.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Yeah, I can see where it would cause reason for some wonder. Below is a general chart showing rifle primer cup thickness. I haven't a clue if there is a difference in the alloy used between manufacturers.
Additionally as was mentioned for 5.56 NATO or 223 Remington there are primers like CCI Military-style primers for semi-auto rifles that seldom have firing pin retraction springs. A less sensitive primer to aid in the prevention of slam-fire. When and if I have them, I use them but have never had a problem using CCI BR or CCI 400 primers on 223 or 5.56 loadings.
Ron
In the great primer shortage awhile back,I bout some Rem 6 1/2. I called Remington when I saw the warning.The tech advised me to go ahead and use them in 222 and 223.I did so using IMR 4198 and Winchester 748.I had no problems and inspected the shot primers and found no signs indicating a problem.Older manuals used 6 1/2 for many loads in 223 and 222.
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