Tell me your thoughts on primers

[ArtP]

When reloading for accuracy, I'd like to know your thoughts and experience on how much weight you give primers. To me, they seem a little mysterious, not in how they work but rather their consistency and power level. I mean, they all must offer a slightly different level of power and consistency which could relate to better accuracy. I'll guess that BR primers offer better consistency, but enough to matter in a factory rifle?

I have read that some primers are better than others. Federal seems to be among the better ones and CCI seem to have harder cups, just from what I've read. Russian Tula and Wolf primers are awfully cheap, but just what is given up if anything?

In LR primers, I've only used two different brands and don't know if I'm missing out on better accuracy by trying different brands. During the shortage I bought 5K primers of one brand and I wonder if I ought to try different brands in search of better accuracy.

I have Remington and Wolf primers in LR. In other primers I use other brands but I'm not too concerned with accuracy in these other primers.

 

[LiveLife]

The Rifleman's Journal (a website dedicated to benchrest shooting) did some comprehensive and detailed study of primers (scroll all the way down to Primers on the index link) - http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/p/articles-index.html

Large primers - http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-large-rifle-primer-study.html

Small primers - http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-small-rifle-primer-study.html

Lead-free primers - http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2011/10/primers-lead-free-primer-evaluation.html

 

[ArtP]

BDS,

I found the article you linked me to, to be informative and I thank you.

 

[BADUNAME37]

For how little I shoot various guns that are sighted in, I use Federal 210M Bench Rest primers. I realize they are more expensive, however 1,000 primers should last me a lifetime at the rate I shoot anymore.

 

[ArtP]

For how little I shoot various guns that are sighted in, I use Federal 210M Bench Rest primers. I realize they are more expensive, however 1,000 primers should last me a lifetime at the rate I shoot anymore.

FDF, I appreciate your choice in primers. But can you articulate any difference in regular primers?

Hey, if you can't, I don't blame you for using BR primers just to be safe and use the best you can.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I use the Match primers out of habit, something I have used since I began reloading over 30 years ago.

Do they make a difference in accuracy? I assume they do, and I assume that they are more consistent between primers and between batches, however I have no way to compare them with regular primers as I have never tested and compared accuracy, velocity, etc, between non-Match primers compared to Match primers.

I just happen to choose the Match primers as I purchase them so infrequently.

It would be like filling my truck with premium fuel. If I had to fill it every other day (over 30 gallons), then I would definitely run the cheapest fuel. However, if I only filled it once every six months, I might be inclined to use only premium fuel (probably WITHOUT methanol) and even add a bit of fuel stabilizer to the fuel so at six months old, it still ignites consistently.

 

[USSR]

Russian Tula and Wolf primers are awfully cheap, but just what is given up if anything?

Actually, the Russian KV-7 large rifle primers are one of the best primers made. David Tubb (one of the country's finest rifle match shooters) bought 700,000 of the Russian primers when they were first available in this country, so that tells you something. I bought 5,000 for use in 1,000 yard F Class Competition, and have found them to be excellent with low ES and SD numbers. So, don't let the low price fool you.

Don

 

[murf]

if i am reloading for accuracy, i choose a bullet, match a powder to that bullet, adjust the col, and then match a primer to that combo. i usually try 3 or 4 different primers.

and then there is case prep, but that's another story!

murf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO making accurate ammo is all about everything being done the same each and every time. You can control the powder weight, the brass length, brass neck thickness and most everything else except for the primes themselves. Since you don't make them you can control their consistency so you must rely on the manufacturer. That's where Benchrest primers come into play. They are the best way IMO to achieve consistency with the primers. As to which Benchrest primers, I think that depends upon which your rifle and load like better and you will have to discover that for yourself.

 

[ArtP]

Actually, the Russian KV-7 large rifle primers are one of the best primers made.
Don

Can you tell me more about KV-7 primers? A Google search doesn't turn up anything useful.

If one buys Tula or Wolf, does that equate to buying KV-7?

ADD: at Powder Valley their listing of Tula and Wolf primers are designated KVB7, is that what you're referring to? Any idea why Tula's are $24 per 1K while Wolf's are $16?

 

[nra-for-life]

you might find this interesting...
http://www.accuratereloading.com/primer.html

 

[jack44]

buy CCI the BEST

 

[USSR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by USSR View Post
Actually, the Russian KV-7 large rifle primers are one of the best primers made.

Don

Can you tell me more about KV-7 primers? A Google search doesn't turn up anything useful.

If one buys Tula or Wolf, does that equate to buying KV-7?

Oops, I left off the "B". Yes, the Wolf and Tula primers are the same primer and made in the same Russian factory. The were originally imported in the Russian packaging by a guy in Phoenix. Then, for a period of time, they were sold by PMC in PMC packaging. Then Wolf started selling them before Tula started selling them as well. No idea as to why the difference in price, but they are the same primer, so buy whatever is cheaper.

Don

 

[Hondo 60]

I've found that Tula primers are really hard to seat.
made of harder material? just a bit bigger than say, CCI, or Win Or RP???
not sure. But they don't seat as nicely.

I have NOT found any difference when firing them.
But I also haven't been looking for any difference either.

I have some Wolf LP primers.
They're maybe a tiny bit harder to seat than Federal or CCI etc...
But not much.

Federal seems to use a softer cup than any other brand
And they use a bit different compound.
They're much easier to fire by crushing, than say, CCI.
I've popped a couple Feds when priming on my press.
That's never happened with any other brand.

Hope this helps some.

 

[oldreloader]

According to the rep at Powder Valley, the Wolf and Tula primers are the same and the price difference is beause they come from a different supplier. I use Wolf,Tula,CCI, and Win. I can't tell any difference in the quality of them and not much difference in POI when changing between them. I don't normally load close to max so pressure isn't a concern.. Changing primers in a shotshell recipie is a whole different matter!

 

[swmp9jrm]

I can affirm that the CCI's are a bit harder - same gun, same load, same brass: CCI primers = 70% no-fires, Federal primers = 100% good. The CCI's work fine in my semi-autos, but I have a revolver that apparently has a light striking firing pin, and the CCI's gave me fits. Switched to Federals (and also tested Winchesters) and the problems went away.

 

[northark147]

I tried CCI BR primers in my .308, and Went back to normal CCI LR primers becasue for that particular rifle I get better groups with them. Don't know why, but it is what it is, YMMV, so forth and so on. I primarily use CCI primers, but I do have a lot of the TULA I bought when Powder Valley had them on sale with free hazmat and shipping. I have loaded some of my AR rounds with them, and noticed no real difference between the rounds with them and the rounds with CCI, but my AR shooting is normally minute of Beer can at whatever range the berms are sitting at the range I use. Both CCI and wolf loaded in both .223 and 6.8 hit beer cans just fine at anywhere between 50 and 200 someodd yards.

 

[BluegrassDan]

Federals are most definitely softer than CCI and Winchester. I had a bunch of failures-to-fire in one of my rifles with Winchester primers. Switching to Federals fixed it.