CCI BR-4 vs. Federal Match 205M

[something vague]

This may be a stupid question but I do not like change too much. I have been using nothing but BR-4 primers in all my .223rem and 22-250 reloads for my bolt actions for a few years now. I have developed some really good loads with them and now have no choice but to switch over to the Federals due to this insane primer shortage. Has anyone done any comparison on the two primers? If I remember correctly, Federal primers actually have a smaller dimension in pretty much all respects. Does this pose any seating issues? I have yet to actually make the switch as I have about 125 BR-4's left but was forced into buying a brick of the Federals the other day. I guess I just want a little reassurance that these Federal Primers are a decent quality primer that shouldn't pose any real noticable issues. It seems as though they have been popular with the Benchrest community, I think it's these ones.

 

[Walkalong]

I have not used the BR-4 primers, but he Federal 205 & 205M primers are very good. I would not worry about it. Worse case scenario is you have to tweak your load a couple tenths of a grain.

 

[kelbro]

I have several loads that those two primers can interchange without any noticeable change in accuracy, velocity, or POI.

 

[NCsmitty]

Federal primers, especially the 205M, are used in many BR shooter's loads because of their consistency. Those Federal primers are a tiny bit softer, by some .002 cup thickness, than the CCI BR-4 primers.
I doubt that you can tell the difference under real world conditions.

Here's some good reading.

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php


NCsmitty