Wolf primers

[MetalMan52]

Has anyone tried the Wolf primers? I'm thinking of trying them in large pistol for .45 acp and small rifle for .223. If you have loaded for .223 did you use standard or magnum small rifle primers? I ask because a seller recommends using magnum small rifle primers for AR type rifles.
Thanks,
Pat

 

[Remo-99]

sure some folks like to use mag primers in .223rem, as often they are running them at fairly high pressures, which .223rem weapons are quite capable of handling. To lessen the risks of blown out primers, mag primers are used, if a hot/max load is worked up using mag primers, it's a better option. IMO

 

[fineredmist]

I have seen magnum primers recommended when using "ball" powders such as H335, H414 etc. because they form a very dense powder column and the added punch is needed for good ignition. I have used both types of primers in my .223 loaded with H335 and I really can't see much of a difference if any.
That is my story and I am sticking to it.

 

[NCsmitty]

Magnum primers are primarily used with ball powders because they require a little hotter flame front to ignite properly. Many powders used in the 223 are ball type powders. Extruded powders are fine with standard primers. Magnum primers do not offer more pressure protection as they use the same cup thickness as standard primers, just a hotter mixture. Mag primers can be used with all powders but should be used from the start in load development. Follow your manual's recommendations. Using standard primers and then switching the same load to Mag primers can drive up pressures, and if you're already at Max loads, can be dangerous.
Reloading requires lots of information and common sense.

NCsmitty

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hummm...Never did find out about Wolf primers. Did we, MetalMan52...

 

[Hansli]

They are completely reliable and the most economical to buy.

 

[MetalMan52]

Wolf

Thanks for the replies guys. But I'm looking for info/experience with Wolf brand primers.
Thanks Hansli, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. They seem to be the best priced, uniformity and reliability are what I'm wondering about. Anyone else?
Thanks,
Pat

 

[jr45]

I personally had a bad experience w/Wolf Large Rifle primes a while back. I reloaded about 60 30-06 rounds using wolf and tried to compare it to the CCI I usually use. The wolf gave me 20+/- hang fires and 4 duds. I heard good things about wolf primers so it is very possible I just got a bad batch.

 

[ants]

We have covered Wolf primers before

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=397788&highlight=wolf
plus a bunch of other threads.

I hope you guys don't like them, so the price won't go up and there are plenty in stock. I really think you guys should avoid them. Don't buy them. Leave them on the shelf. There are lots of failures like jr45 discovered. You won't like them. I'll take all of them off your hands and use them up myself.




I've been using them all year in small pistol, small rifle and large rifle. I've never had a failure. I tested them across the chronograph compared to Winchester and there was no velocity difference. My only concern is that they will crank up the price when reloaders discover that Wolf primers work good.

They are .001 or .002 inch larger than most primers, so they fit snug in the pocket. This is great if your cases are getting old and the pockets are beginning to stretch. Nevertheless they fit in all standard pockets, just make sure to ream your crimped military pockets. You will feel the extra uumph to pull the handle to seat them.

Perhaps that's why jr45 had a problem. They are a bit tight, and maybe he didn't seat them. If it isn't seated deeply enough, any primer is likely to fail to ignite.

 

[jr45]

ants,
I did seat them correctly...like I said in the earlier post:

I heard good things about wolf primers so it is very possible I just got a bad batch

I gave the rest to another reloader and he mentioned that he had 9 hang fires and zero duds out of 220 rounds (30-30).

 

[Walkalong]

Many folks report nothing but good things about Wolf primers. I have not tried any though.

Don't take it personally jr45, many a time we have reminded folks about making sure primers are seated all the way. Not being fully seated is the number one cause of primer failure.

 

[jr45]

No offense taken. I bought these primers from a swap-meet type event. The box was not new (about 800 out of 1k left) and there is no telling how they were stored. Others I have spoken with and also heard on various sights say they are good primers. I do love Wolf ammo.

 

[ants]

jr45, I think you're right. Must have been a bad batch or possibly stored wrong.

 

[frankd4]

I use wolf primers for 223 with WCC844 milatry powder shot over 5 thousnd never an issue.

 

[MetalMan52]

Wolf

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to try some out and I'll let you know how they work out. It won't be until after deer season though.
Pat

 

[evan price]

I used 5000 wolf small pistol primers and liked them so much I bought 20,000 more in other sizes. So far no duds or any problems, as Ants points out they are a smidge larger, it's only been an issue for me with Seller & Belloit brass with their tighter primer pockets. They really grunt ot get in there.

I would use Wolf without hesitation in anything I load. They do great in a Lee Pro1000 too.

 

[bluewater]

Here in eastern Washington State, Wolf primers are $1.00 cheaper than my favorite primers which are CCI and Winchester. I'm don't like Federal primers, especially in my Glocks. For only a $1.00 savings, I will remain loyal to my CCI and Winchester primers.