Small pistol primers.

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Jack B.

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Does anyone know where I can find a temperature or pressure chart for small pistol primers? I'm mostly interested in finding out the difference between Federal,CCI ,Winchester and Reminton small pistol primers.
 
I used some early on when I had no chrono and was a rookie reloader, but then they stopped being available locally and I changed to Federal and Winchester that were.

They worked just fine, and I am sure they are still good primers, but the question remains how they compare to the others, something I am curious about as well.
 
I did a bunch of Chrono testing and found out switching from reg small CCIs to magnum CCIs in my CZ75 SP-01 is good for about 15fps speed increase.
 
It doen't exist. Primer makers are tight lipped about these specs. Lots of anecdotal and OLD info out there. Pictures of flash and what not. But it's old stuff.
 
It doen't exist. Primer makers are tight lipped about these specs. Lots of anecdotal and OLD info out there. Pictures of flash and what not. But it's old stuff.
I agree, it's just not available from a reliable source. Even the pictures of the flash/flame produced by the different brands doesn't really prove anything but that they are different.
 
On the consumer side, I tried every small primer on hand in 9mm. Not all the same as Walkalong's. 135 gr BBI coated + 3.8 gr HP38.
WSP, WSR, CCI SP mag, CCI BR4, Fed SP, and Fed SR, all fell in the range of 1018 - 1026 fps. That is one point on power factor. I don't consider it a significant difference, do you?
Remington 1 1/2 SP was the oddball, 1044 fps.

As said, industry specifications are not published and it looks like it doesn't matter much anyhow.
 
Cup thickness may be more important. Choose the correct primer. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/357-38-reloading-questions.382053/

Correct primers for 38 and 357

Reloading data lists these primers to be used with the 357 magnum. CCI 550 Mag., WSPM, FED 200, REM 5 1/2 Reloading data lists these primers to be used with the 38 special and 38special +P. CCI 500,Rem 1 1/2, Fed 100, WSP, Speer list the CCI 550Mag primer for Alliant 2400. This info is available at all primer manufacture websites. http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/primers/primer_chart.htm
 
The best primers for pistols? If you go by demand that would be Fed 100s as they are hard to find.
 
Almost all my handgun loads are low to mid-range loads. I just grab whichever primers are the oldest in my inventory and use them. I've got CCI, Remington, Winchester and S&B on the shelf.
 
While I've seen tests of primers from folks giving a difference in velocity using the same powder charge, I've yet to see a chart giving actual temperature and pressure that has been done in a laboratory or test facility. I have done similar testing myself when developing new loads using a variety of primers. I have found that increase in velocity is not always primer dependent, but a combination of what powder and primer combo.
 
I should have added: While I've never seen anyone publish "lab results". It's widely believed that Federal have the thinnest cups which makes them ideal for revolvers where you can set the hammer spring tension very low.
 
I should have added: While I've never seen anyone publish "lab results". It's widely believed that Federal have the thinnest cups which makes them ideal for revolvers where you can set the hammer spring tension very low.

The OP did not ask which primer is "best", nor which ones require the least force to ignite

Adjusting the strain screw on a revolver is NOT the correct way to lighten a trigger to ignite primers.
Lack of availability of Federal Primers doe not make them the "best" primers.

The great primer debate has been going on for years.

Here is a OLD CCI chart that actually shows a SPM primer having more energy than a SRM?? Go Figure.??

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The OP did not ask which primer is "best", nor which ones require the least force to ignite
View attachment 814335
The OP did ask for pressure/temp differences, but also said to be
interested in finding out the difference between .... primers.

Adjusting the strain screw on a revolver is NOT the correct way to lighten a trigger to ignite primers.
View attachment 814335

Did I say that it was?


But I will admit to the scarcity being an indicator of "best". Sorry about that ,shouldn't' have said that one.
 
The best primers for pistols? If you go by demand that would be Fed 100s as they are hard to find.

Even back when reloading supplies were in short supply, Federal 100s were always available around here, even when no other small pistol primers were anywhere to be found. I always figured it had to do with the stupid way they package them.
 
The only difference that has been significant to me is whether the primer tends to hang up on the lip of the primer tube in the Hornady 1911 vibrating primer tube loader.

Stopped using that brand and only use CCI 500s now. Go in smooth as butter.
 
The OP did ask for pressure/temp differences, but also said to be



Did I say that it was?


But I will admit to the scarcity being an indicator of "best". Sorry about that ,shouldn't' have said that one.

Asking for the "differences" does not indicate the "best" Regardless there is no "best" as in no "best powder"

Yes, you said "It's widely believed that Federal have the thinnest cups which makes them ideal for revolvers where you can set the hammer spring tension very low."
The best primers for pistols? If you go by demand that would be Fed 100s as they are hard to find.


Maybe you didn't say it but you wrote it an implied it. Yes, Federals tend to ignite on guns that have had trigger jobs done, when others will not,

As said above the "data" or "proof" does not exist.
 
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I have been using Fiocchi. Good price and have always gone bang. Can't say that about CCI
 
Just so every one knows, I'm not looking for the best primer. It's just that I'm getting ready to load up some 38 + P ammo and was worried about maybe one or more of those primers causing pressure problems. I will be loading very close to the max and those are the primers are the ones I have on hand.
 
My observations, for whatever they are worth.

I never load near max for pistol rounds, but I have not noticed much difference between brands small pistol primers. Now if you go from standard to magnum primers, then you could see a small difference.
 
I got flattening and cratering with Federal SP in handbook 9mm loads. Same charge, WW or CCI primer, no crater.
The batch of Remington 1 1/2 I have gives very strange indents and misfires in some guns. I am dedicating ammo loaded with them to one gun that does not give such oddities.
The Wolf primers I bought during the Panic were poor, 1% misfires. I haven't tried any other foreign primer.

So, for .38 +P I would use WW or CCI primers, assuming you have full power mainsprings and do not need the soft, sensitive Federals for reliability.
 
Even back when reloading supplies were in short supply, Federal 100s were always available around here, even when no other small pistol primers were anywhere to be found. I always figured it had to do with the stupid way they package them.

They were packed that way because allegedly Federal 100's use a different priming compound with higher brisance. The larger shipping package is for fire and detonation issues.

That particular nugget comes from Richard Lee's conversations with the folks at Federal at the time which is buried in his reloading manual as an aside. Think it is around where he discusses the safety prime for Lee presses. I've seen it mentioned in other places as well. Take from it what you will but I doubt a large corporation simply dumps low margin primers in a larger container and more expensive container to ship simply because they can.
 
My complaint with the federal primer packaging is not the size (I share boom boom's understanding that this is related to their extra sensitivity and resultant safety concerns), but with the little tabs they build into the bottom of the cardboard sleeve. I find it very easy for them to be accidentally "engaged," thus "locking up" the (now non-)sliding tray. I have to start every new 100-primer tray by slicing off one or the other of the tabs with an x-acto knife! Federal, just make the cardboard .5% smaller and the friction fit will be more than enough!
 
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