Variations in primers

leadchucker · January 19, 2013, 06:05 PM

So far, I've been loading CCI small pistol primers in my Lee Safety prime, on the press. Never had any problem.

The only primers I found at the last gun show were Winchester or Federal. I had heard of too many problems with the Federal primers, so I bought the Winchesters.

They don't slide down the chute quite as smoothly as the CCI's did. This is the first time I've had primers seat sideways or upside down.

Anyone else noticed that the Winchester primers appear to be just a tad thicker than the CCI's?

Misssissippi Dave · January 19, 2013, 06:53 PM

I don't have a Lee press. I have never had any problems with Winchester primers that I can remember. I prefer them over all others with my press.

j357 · January 20, 2013, 12:54 AM

I do not recall any issues with using Win or Rem vs CCI. I do use mostly small CCIs. The Lee Safety primer on the press (single or turret) should give you plenty of opportunity to see if the primer is oriented correctly prior to seating it the wrong way. Any off chance you are using the wrong size primer pan (black vs white)? IIRC white is for large primers, black Safety Prime is for small.

Sevens · January 20, 2013, 02:31 AM

Winchester primers these days are of the brass color. They used to be nickel plated like the CCI primers are. That plating makes a big difference in how well they slide, especially in Lee plastic chutes.

rodfac · January 20, 2013, 09:44 AM

Regarding your feed problems, I'd call Lee and see what they have to say. I do know that my Dillon 550B presses will not feed CCI's reliably, but have no problem with Winchesters...if anything, I'd say that the CCI's have a slightly larger diameter then Winchesters, tho I've never checked them with a Mic. You might try cleaning your primer feed tube or feed assembly...they do tend to accumulate primer dust, which is also a NS fire hazard.

As to reliability, I've used Winchester primers almost exclusively for over 30 years in all sizes with no problems....everything from .22 Hornet to .45-70. I've had no problems even with 100 yr+ old Winchester lever guns in .44-40 and .38-40, with their relatively light hammer blows. In the handgun calibers, I've used them with tip-up S&W's in .32 S&W, and several Colts of 1900 vintage, again with no problems.

HTH's, Rod

twice barrel · January 25, 2013, 09:17 PM

Over the years I've used Winchester, Remington, CCI and Federal primers and never saw any difference (on metallic cartridges) other than how they package them. I do remember years ago having some Winchester 209's that were so hard that my older double barrel's rounded firing pins wouldn't set them off where my 1100 would bust'm just fine.

And I prefer the primers packaged laying on their side in small square packages that my primer tray completely covers just for the ease of loading them into my primer feeder.

January 19, 2013, 06:05 PM	#1
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 239	Variations in primers So far, I've been loading CCI small pistol primers in my Lee Safety prime, on the press. Never had any problem. The only primers I found at the last gun show were Winchester or Federal. I had heard of too many problems with the Federal primers, so I bought the Winchesters. They don't slide down the chute quite as smoothly as the CCI's did. This is the first time I've had primers seat sideways or upside down. Anyone else noticed that the Winchester primers appear to be just a tad thicker than the CCI's? __________________ CONTACT YOUR SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND GOVERNORS, AND TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE FURTHER GUN CONTROL! They're politicians. If you identify yourself as a voter, they WILL listen. It's IMPORTANT, and the NRA makes it EASY!

January 20, 2013, 02:31 AM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,937	Winchester primers these days are of the brass color. They used to be nickel plated like the CCI primers are. That plating makes a big difference in how well they slide, especially in Lee plastic chutes. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

January 20, 2013, 09:44 AM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,240	Regarding your feed problems, I'd call Lee and see what they have to say. I do know that my Dillon 550B presses will not feed CCI's reliably, but have no problem with Winchesters...if anything, I'd say that the CCI's have a slightly larger diameter then Winchesters, tho I've never checked them with a Mic. You might try cleaning your primer feed tube or feed assembly...they do tend to accumulate primer dust, which is also a NS fire hazard. As to reliability, I've used Winchester primers almost exclusively for over 30 years in all sizes with no problems....everything from .22 Hornet to .45-70. I've had no problems even with 100 yr+ old Winchester lever guns in .44-40 and .38-40, with their relatively light hammer blows. In the handgun calibers, I've used them with tip-up S&W's in .32 S&W, and several Colts of 1900 vintage, again with no problems. HTH's, Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73 Last edited by rodfac; January 20, 2013 at 09:50 AM.

January 19, 2013, 06:53 PM	#2
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,172	I don't have a Lee press. I have never had any problems with Winchester primers that I can remember. I prefer them over all others with my press.

January 20, 2013, 12:54 AM	#3
j357 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 184	I do not recall any issues with using Win or Rem vs CCI. I do use mostly small CCIs. The Lee Safety primer on the press (single or turret) should give you plenty of opportunity to see if the primer is oriented correctly prior to seating it the wrong way. Any off chance you are using the wrong size primer pan (black vs white)? IIRC white is for large primers, black Safety Prime is for small.

January 25, 2013, 09:17 PM	#6
twice barrel Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Posts: 98	Over the years I've used Winchester, Remington, CCI and Federal primers and never saw any difference (on metallic cartridges) other than how they package them. I do remember years ago having some Winchester 209's that were so hard that my older double barrel's rounded firing pins wouldn't set them off where my 1100 would bust'm just fine. And I prefer the primers packaged laying on their side in small square packages that my primer tray completely covers just for the ease of loading them into my primer feeder.