Magnum Primers

[agtman]

Okay, specifically, large rifle magnum primers for 300 mags.

In the course of reviewing several load books, I found where Nosler commented that it used CCI's 250 in developing loads in their ballistics lab, but recommended for "field use" the Federal 215, where it's "hotter spark" might be "a better choice in cold weather" situations.

I've used the CCI250s and Winchester's WLRM, but have no experience with Remington's 9 1/2 primers (cited in Barnes' load book).

I'm looking for an "all-around" magnum primer - for use in cold OR warmer weather - and was curious about what the "field experience" of the 300 mag hunters/reloaders here has been, and what you'd recommend. Thanks!

 

[FAL_Freak]

Winchester WLRM worked fine for me this year for my .338 Lapua. Had some 80 - 90 degree weather while developing the load and sighting in the rifle. During deer season it was a bitter -13 F. Granted I only shot 4 or 5 times while hunting and not on paper, but the bullets hit their target and no major problems to report.

 

[R-WEST]

Hello agtman. The primer subject is just about always guaranteed to get a good debate going. 'Course it should, isn't that what primers do

Ahem, yes, anyway, stuff like that Nosler quote always bother me. We're constantly being told NOT to change any components in our loads, then they go ahead and tell you just the opposite

In "magnum" cases, say 70 grain and higher capacity, I've always used WLRM's, F215 or GM215M's, and have never had any problems with mis or hangfires down to around 5 - 10 degrees (F). Any colder than that and I'm in the house in front of the fire

I've used, but never specifically tested CCI250's, against the others in cold weather conditions - the other primers just happened to give best accuracy in the cartridges being tested, so they were in there when I was shooting in the cold. In fact, my load notes do not show 250's as being the primer of choice for ANY load combo.

Check out ChuckHawks Primer Page http://www.chuckhawks.com/primers.htm for some more info.

R-WEST

 

[Dave R]

Back when I was youger and stupider (actually not that long ago) I loaded up some .308 with standard primers, on a load that was listed for magnum primers. Shot some, then loaded with magnum primers as directed. POI at 200 yards changed about 4" IIRC. The magnum primers appeared to make a significant change in velocity, based on POI. I don't have a chroy to measure velocity.

 

[agtman]

Thanks for the information, guys.

R-West: Yeah, I know what you mean about "primers," 'cause it's similar to when posters weigh-in on the 10mm AUTO, my preferred pistol cartridge. Everyone's has a comment.

Getting back to LRM primers, I came across a Section in A-Square's reloading manual, "Any Shot You Want," discussing switching around components. They used the 7mm Rem Mag as the test cartridge. It talked about substituting different primers in a particular load, while other components remained the same (e.g., case; bullet; powder), and what effect the use of different primers would have on pressure, velocity, etc.

From their testing they concluded that Fed 215s and CCI 250s were "interchangable," exhibiting only VERY small variations in velocity and pressure specs for that cartridge with a particular load. Other primers, however, generated wildly different numbers.

Thanks again for the imput.