Differences between brands of small rifle primers?

[Sniper66]

I've been loading my own rifle ammo for about the last 15 years, 22Hornet, .204, and 223, all using the same small rifle primers. Through the years I've used mostly Remington 7.5 BR and some CCI but have Winchester and Federal in my stash that I've never used. I just buy whatever I've found bargains on at gun shows and. stash them for later use. But, since I've been able to buy the Rem and CCI, that's what I use. I never thought to ask if there are differences I should be aware of. While I'm not a bench rest shooter, I do shoot a lot of prairie dogs at fairly long ranges up to about 300+ yds so accuracy is important to me. And when I test fire rifles and hand loads, I won't tolerate a rifle or ammo that will not perform. So are their differences it would help to be aware of?

 

[Blue68f100]

Primer test is something I do after I've worked up my load with the primer I decided to use. In most cases it does make a difference. I see it in the crony number and on paper at longer distances. If your shooing under 300 yrds I don't think you will see much difference. You may also see a difference every time you change primer lots. In the SR primer class I get the best groups and lowest SD using Federal GM205M primers with Rem 7.5 2nd choice. It all depends on the capacity and powder used. I've had some that there was very little difference till I was forced to change lots. Then the different lot showed more spread.

 

[Charlie98]

That, ^^^ +1

Primers can also make a difference depending on what powder you are using, in particular, even if the load specifies a Magnum primer or vice versa.

Much of it depends on what you expect out of your cartridges... I really only have one rifle that I intend to test different primers with, all my others it would be splitting hairs for no reason.

 

[Sniper66]

Thanks guys. This answers my questions.