Correct 223 primers?

[Reloadron]

This thread isn't about pressures and primers. It's about slam fires and primers.

Speaking of Slamfire I haven't seen him around lately. He is generally right on threads like this.

<EDIT> I spoke too soon. As I typed and be still my little heart. Hope you had great holidays. </EDIT>

Moving along I see the CCI #41 as a great choice when they are available. That said I am not reluctant to use CCI 400 or CCI 450 as needed or when I don't have the less sensitive CCI #41. I have been spared to date a slam fire and have sent thousands of rounds down range from M1 Garands, M1A and other free floating firing pin rifles. This is likely more a matter of luck than much else. Overall I would guess it is just as easy to load with the #41 primer as any other and this is not a time when primers or any loading components are scarce. Matter of fact this is a good time to increase ones stash of long shelf life items like primers. Matter of fact I should convert some of those Cabela's gift cards from Santa to CCI #34 large rifle primers. Can never have too many primers.

Ron

 

[ponchh]

Hornady tests their loads with Winchester, that's good enough for me. I do set them as deep as I can get them. Unless you have a custom stubby firing pin they will go off. Been thru thousands with no slam or misfires ever.

 

[entropy]

CCI 400's and 450's for me. I do load the #34's in my 7.62x39 loads though.

 

[hdwhit]

I have used CCI 400, CCI 450, CCI BR-4 and Winchester Small Rifle primers interchangeably (based on what I could get) in 223 Remington for the last 38 years and have never had a slam-fire or other primer related problem. Also, I never noticed the difference between the primers having an impact on my point of impact at 100 yards.

 

[spitballer]

Call me OCD, but my son's face is important!...

..roger that, pierced primers are NO FUN. Recessing the primers might reduce the risk with non mil-spec primers, but others probably know more about this. I'm strictly a bolt man myself.

 

[BWB]

The original poster expressed concern for his son's face.
The AR will not fire or slam fire out of battery unless a very high primer detonates early while being driven home by the bolt, highly unlikely but possible.
An in-battery slam fire is just an unintended accidental or negligent discharge, depending on the circumstances, and the risk is at and beyond the muzzle, not at the shooter's face.

 

[BigDinVT]

No slam fires but I've had a problem with CCI #450's not fully seating in LC once fired brass which others above mentioned can be a contributing factor to slam fires. Primer pockets were swaged with an RCBS Swager tool. I tried Federal small rifle primers (only alternative my LGS had available at the time) and didn't have any problem with primers not fully seating. Bullets feed and fire fine. I'm waiting for my LGS to get some Federal or Winchester Magnum primers.