Match primers
- Thread starter StanDe
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troy fairweather
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The more Senior workers make them.
westernrover
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The lowest 5-shot SD's I've ever shot were when I sorted rifle primers by weight (SD's were 2 and 3). I can't say that it will definitely improve SD's because there's too many other factors, but it makes some sense that primer compound weights should be consistent. Match primers aren't weight sorted, but there is some supposition that they have more consistent cup fills based on more experienced workers pouring them. Can weight sorting result in even more consistency? There may also be the consistency of the mixture. I haven't tested extensively. There's too much involved. I suppose that a bench rest shooter is already going to do a lot of the work to obtain consistency. Do they choose match primers? Find sorting primers worthwhile? I figure the consensus among bench rest shooters would more likely be credible than my anecdote.
I will tell you what is the most probable difference: consistency.
A shooting bud used to go an Army Ammunition Depot. He saw the workers making primer cake. Primer cake is a mix, I don't remember the quantities the workers made at one time, could have been just a couple of pounds. At some point in the process the dried primer cake is tested and the most consistent primer cake maker gets a cash reward. Winning the cash reward was more or less random as making the most consistent primer cake is not a science.
Now what characteristics constituted the most consistent primer cake, I really don't know. I could guess, sensitivity, dwell, energy, flame temperature, mass ejected. I don't know how they rank characteristics.
I will say, in a handgun, I really doubt you will see any difference between a match primer and a regular primer. In rifles, I can't tell a difference either. American primers have been pretty good, I think the best rifle primers I ever used were the Russian, but differences due to primers are so subtle, it is hard to know if what I see is real or not.
GravelRider
Member
Supposedly the only difference is in the workers making the primers. The match primers are made by the more senior workers. I can't confirm this though, but I've read it on more than one internet forum (so it must be true!). In my experience, I've noticed no difference between regular and match... But that's probably because I'm not a good enough shot to notice the difference!
markr6754
Member
Another diff is that the match primers are tested much more frequently, to ensure that there are fewer issues. So…best man/woman on the job, and more frequent quality checks.
Not to say that non-match primers are garbage…I’ve had extremely low primer failures in my domestic primers. More problems for me with TulAmmo primers. But all in all, my biggest primer issues are me!
Not to say that non-match primers are garbage…I’ve had extremely low primer failures in my domestic primers. More problems for me with TulAmmo primers. But all in all, my biggest primer issues are me!
That is certainly what we are looking for, and the selling point.
Me either, at least not on target, maybe I'm not good enough. Rifle? Some primers will give better ES?SD numbers sometimes, and for some applications that's important. I was shooting Benchrest at the time of the Clinton shortages, and a lot of people ran out of Federal SR Match primers. Many switched to the old nickle plated WSR primers due to availability, and some swore they couldn't tell a difference and wouldn't switch back. That was short range (100 & 200 yard) accuracy. I didn't know many who knew what charge weight they were running, only how many clicks on the measure, or what speed, and no idea on the ES/SD, only results on target mattered. Hall of Famer Alan Hall told me once back then...."If your primer goes bang, you don't have a problem".
Blue68f100
Member
I know I can not shoot the difference in handgun. But in rifle I have seen a difference. Mainly lower ES/SD which results in better groups at 300+ yrds. I don't think you will see a difference on rifle till you stretch it legs. And the lower ES/SD what makes better consistency in the ammo.
JEBruns
Member
Was over at a buddy's house yesterday. He decided to go through some reloading stuff he hadn't seen since he moved in there a year or so ago. Bunches of old primers of every description. He still shoots a lot of trap and some large rifle, but no small rifle or small pistol. So he sold me all of those for cheap. 2K of bench rest SR was among the score. Looking forward to trying those out to see if they make any difference.
Jim Watson
Member
I have used match primers for target rifle loads. Does it help my scores? I don't know but it eases my mind.
The only reason I have any match pistol primers is that is what was available in the early panicdemic as stocks were drawing down.
The only reason I have any match pistol primers is that is what was available in the early panicdemic as stocks were drawing down.
JJFitch
Member
10's and X's!
Unless you are competing at the very highest level you probably won't notice the difference. When championships are determined by X count you will use Match primers and Match ammo!
Everything you ever wanted to know about primers!
Primer Info & Chart + Milspec Primers for Semi-Autos & Other Primer Applications
Smiles,
.38 Special
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About a buck per hundred.
Seriously, even in high-end target guns shot from a rest, I can't tell a difference.
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