Carbon_15
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what are the best and cleanest primers for non-magnum pistol loads?
thanks
thanks
Best primers for handgun loads
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ulflyer
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Best?
Carbon, don't think there is a "best", only what one prefers. I prefer Winchester simply because I started with them years ago and have found no reason to change. I've used a few Remingtons, Federals, and just a few CCI's. Personally, for my type of casual target shooting, I can't tell any diff.
Same with powders, only there is far more variety to choose from. I load 38's and 45acp. I like Winchester 231, Bullseye, Clays. All seem about the same to me. From reading on this group it seems many prefer Unique. Pick one that a good reloading manual recommends and you won't go wrong.
Carbon, don't think there is a "best", only what one prefers. I prefer Winchester simply because I started with them years ago and have found no reason to change. I've used a few Remingtons, Federals, and just a few CCI's. Personally, for my type of casual target shooting, I can't tell any diff.
Same with powders, only there is far more variety to choose from. I load 38's and 45acp. I like Winchester 231, Bullseye, Clays. All seem about the same to me. From reading on this group it seems many prefer Unique. Pick one that a good reloading manual recommends and you won't go wrong.
armoredman
Member
Used Fed and CCI, still using CCI. I really can't tell the differance.
PRIMERS
IF YOU ARE JUST SHOOTING FOR FUN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE THAT YOU CAN MEASURE. NOW THAT BEING SAID IF YOU ARE A MATCH SHOOTER. FROM THE RANSOM REST AT 50 YARDS YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. EACH POWDER REACTS DIFFERENTLY WITH THE PRIMER. WITH EXACTLY THE SAME LOAD (POWDER,BULLET,CASE,SEATING DEPTH,OAL,CRIMP )GROUP SIZE WILL BE DIFFERENT WITH DIFFERENT PRIMERS. I USE FEDERAL AND WINCHESTER ONLY. I'VE ALWAYS GOT THE MOST ACCURATE AMMO OUT OF THOSE 2 BRANDS. JP
IF YOU ARE JUST SHOOTING FOR FUN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE THAT YOU CAN MEASURE. NOW THAT BEING SAID IF YOU ARE A MATCH SHOOTER. FROM THE RANSOM REST AT 50 YARDS YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. EACH POWDER REACTS DIFFERENTLY WITH THE PRIMER. WITH EXACTLY THE SAME LOAD (POWDER,BULLET,CASE,SEATING DEPTH,OAL,CRIMP )GROUP SIZE WILL BE DIFFERENT WITH DIFFERENT PRIMERS. I USE FEDERAL AND WINCHESTER ONLY. I'VE ALWAYS GOT THE MOST ACCURATE AMMO OUT OF THOSE 2 BRANDS. JP
birddog
Member
Federal only here, because they're readily available in my area most of the time. Haven't tried anything else.
redneck2
Member
Nice thing about Winchester pistol is they're good for magnum, regular, and ball powder. That's what I normally use so I don't have to change between load types
I tried to use CCI's in my Contender but had quite a few FTF's due to light strikes. Federals worked fine.
As a note, I read somewhere that (in rifles) changing brands of primer can vary the pressure by 6,000 #
I tried to use CCI's in my Contender but had quite a few FTF's due to light strikes. Federals worked fine.
As a note, I read somewhere that (in rifles) changing brands of primer can vary the pressure by 6,000 #
The Bushmaster
Member
Best primer??? Pick one....
HankB
Member
I've had some quality issues in the past with CCI primers, so now I use mostly Winchester, with some Remington and - rarely - Federal thrown into the mix.
Lloyd Smale
Member
if your shooting double action best to stick with federals.
Win & CCI because that's what's available in my area. Never a problem with either that wasn't my fault( a very few not seated all the way and a couple or three seated upside down when using a Lee Auto Prime and not paying attention!! ). Don't snicker. Bet there's more than me have done this some time or other.!
rbernie
Contributing Member
I use my pistol handloads for everything from range work to carry loads, so I use the softest primers I can find - Federal. For my AR rifle loads, I use the hardest I can find - CCI's. For my standard rifle loads, I use mostly Winchesters.
Carbon_15
Member
Thanks for the input.
I guess my question was more "are there any primers I should avoid"
I 'd hate to buy 1000 and have half not go bang
I guess my question was more "are there any primers I should avoid"
I 'd hate to buy 1000 and have half not go bang
Grumulkin
Member
Primers
I've used CCI, Winchester and Federal primers and thus far have found no duds.
The type of primer used does make a difference though. I think the type and amount of powder to be used with a primer is the most important determing factor. With my 357 Herrett there was a definite improvement when I used CCI 250 magnum large rifle primers with IMR 4227 as opposed to plain old Federal 210M primers. I tried Federal 210M, CCI 200 and CCI 250 primers with IMR 4831 and as far as I could tell there was no difference in performance between them in 270 Win. loads.
I've used CCI, Winchester and Federal primers and thus far have found no duds.
The type of primer used does make a difference though. I think the type and amount of powder to be used with a primer is the most important determing factor. With my 357 Herrett there was a definite improvement when I used CCI 250 magnum large rifle primers with IMR 4227 as opposed to plain old Federal 210M primers. I tried Federal 210M, CCI 200 and CCI 250 primers with IMR 4831 and as far as I could tell there was no difference in performance between them in 270 Win. loads.
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