Federal primer switch

[Tinybob]

I've been using Winchester LR primers for all my loads that require large rifle primers. Today I couldn't get WLR, but they had Federal Large rifle. My question is, how will using the different primer effect the load? Do I need to start from scratch?

 

[243winxb]

Pressure wise. Mid-range load, no. A near or at maximum, yes. Federal primers may contain some Nitroglycerin*, that other brands don't. https://www.federalpremium.com/downloads/msds/F4001_Small_Arms_Primers.pdf

 

[Catpop]

Federal is my go to primer. They say they're softer than others but I never could tell. Imho I think you're fine. I switch from winchester to remington to federal all the time if federal is oos.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think only the Federal handgun primers are more sensitive.

I use CCI and Winchester rifle primers and see no difference in loads. I have not used Federal rifle primers but I can't see them being very different. Like said above, unless you are bumping up against the max charge you should be fine.

If you notice any accuracy difference or anything different please let us know. I have heard reports of different primers effecting the accuracy of some cartridges. Who knows, you might end up with more accurate ammo. (or not lol)

 

[Newtosavage]

I've switched from CCI 200's to Win a few times and never noticed a significant change in POI.

 

[FROGO207]

I have used all the different brands of LPP interchangeably in 45 Colt and 45 ACP with no noticeable change in performance. I do not use MAX loads however. If I did I would drop down some and work my charge back up for safety reasons though. YMMV

 

[davek32100]

I've noticed when loading pistol. I have and old iver johnson in 38 S&W. Have to load it on the low end and when I ran out of cci primers and used federal spp the cases were sticking in the cylinder.

David

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Too bad the OP didn't come back with a report. It would have been nice but...

 

[Tinybob]

Too bad the OP didn't come back with a report. It would have been nice but...

Easy friend, sorry I forgot. I didn't show any changes in accuracy or pressure. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Nothing personal, just curious what happened.

 

[Tinybob]

Just got around to shooting a few, been working between 68 and 72 hours a week. It's all good though, cash money!

 

[Captcurt]

Lyman shows a 308 load that was identical in every aspect but primers. They used 5 different primers. Velocity varied from 2509 fps to 2545 fps and pressure varied 2600 psi. For my type of shooting 45 fps variance is not going to hurt my accuracy, but I would work up if my load was near max.

As for softness, Federal and Winchester were the only primers that would consistently go bang when I was loading for a Contender pistol chambered for 7mm TCU. The headspace had to be perfect and the primer strikes were light. CCI would never go off in that gun.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I love and use Federal primers..... In my revolvers (PPC match prepped, lightened springs), as well as my BOLT ACTION rifles.
However,..... I've had problems with Federal primers in 9mm and .40 match loads, (semi autos: old, tired brass, bullet set-back = pierced primer leaving divot in firing pin hole! Even once saw one go full auto...at PPC match) and have seen two M1 Garands destroyed by slam fires. Both times, Federal primers! One with reloads, second with 168gr Gold Medal match.

Like others said, with mild to moderate loads; primers will seldom make a significant difference, though with very low pressures, or with some powders, occasionally a primer change might turn a stinker to a rose, or, vice versa.

I've quit using Winchester LR primers after getting two bad batches. One lot# would leak at firing pin hole, others would leak at perimeter, pitting and etching bolt faces...
fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!!!