which primers?

mwsp · February 13, 2009, 04:50 PM

I'm brand new getting into reloading and want to make my first batch of .308. I got my press, powder, bullets, but what primers? On the bottle of powder it says to use federal 210 with 150 gr Nos. BT, but when I go to the Hodgdons website it doesn't list primers for any other loads. The one I was looking at was:

165gr Hornady SP - 41 grains of Hodgdon H4895 powder - but which primer?

Sport45 · February 13, 2009, 05:21 PM

If stores in your area are the same as aound here you can't be real choosy about primers. Any large rifle primer should light off H4895 just fine. What kind of rifle? If it's a M1A you might want to avoid the more sensitive primers (Federal).

Shoney · February 13, 2009, 05:22 PM

mwsp

WELCOME TO TFL!!!

If you look on the top right of the load data page, you will see an E-Mail button. If you e-mail yourself a copy of that data page, it will include primer and other information which you cannot view on the data page.

Good shooting!

FrankenMauser · February 13, 2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

On the bottle of powder it says to use federal 210 with 150 gr Nos. BT, but when I go to the Hodgdons website it doesn't list primers for any other loads.

The load you cited does appear to be a decent starting load. However;

Always remember, the loads listed on the bottle are MAXIMUM loads. Reduce by 10% and work back up. Many people seem to ignore the note on the bottle about it.

41 grains of H4895 should ignite with any standard large rifle primer. Magnums will work, but could be a bit of overkill.

Get a reloading manual! There are notes and cautions about cartridges, powders, primers... all kinds of things you may need to be aware of. There is no replacement for a good manual. Hodgdon's site is a great resource for comparison, but not even close to a substitute for having a good book in your hand.

VonFireball · February 13, 2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Magnums will work, but could be a bit of overkill.

I always use magnums when reloading 308 stuff. Couldn't think of a good reason why not.

I've always had good luck with Remington 9 1/2 magnum primers, 748 winchester powder and 165 grain hornady boattail spitzers (a bit cheaper than sierras).

mwsp · February 13, 2009, 06:13 PM

Thanks guys. The rifle is a Sako 85 S. Any suggestions for a good reloading manual? I looked at Bass Pro and all they had was a Hornady manual, and suprise, it only has loads for Hornady bullets.

http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/w...rrent=sako.jpg

mwsp · February 13, 2009, 06:19 PM

Nevermind about the manual, I just searched it and found plenty of suggestions.

firewrench044 · February 13, 2009, 06:38 PM

The type of primer may be influaced by what you are loading for
If you will be loading with ball powder or for very cold weather
you should consider a magnum primer
Just remember to reduce the max load because of the hotter magnum primer

Because I load for some military rifles I use CCI # 34s, and to reduce my inventory of primers, I now use them in all my large rifle applications
308, 30-06, 303, 7.92X57, 7.62X54R 6.5X55

As you can see there are many things that will influance your choice
of primers

warnerwh · February 13, 2009, 06:55 PM

Different primers will affect accuracy too. They will also affect pressures.

When working up a load try more than one brand if you want the best accuracy. Ditto for powder and bullets.

**Unclenick** · February 13, 2009, 07:30 PM

The Federal Primers are milder than some. Unless, as suggested, you are going for very cold weather loads, the 210's will be fine. If you use anything else, like a magnum primer, knock the load down a couple more grains and work up watching for pressure signs.

The reason for milder primers is better accuracy in some platforms. When the primer is milder it has less influence on peak pressure or on how much powder has burned when the bullet starts out, leaving it to the reloader to control that with powder charge. This is why you often see more spread in velocity reported with warmer primers. The benchrest shooters push it to another level by getting cases made with small rifle primers with extra small flashholes, even though the case head size is normally fitted for large rifle. All that said, though, you really have to be shooting better than half moa to stand much of a chance of seeing the difference in most guns.

As long as you work the load up for accuracy with the primer you intend to use, it is usually possible to do pretty well. As mentioned, the magnum primers can improve cold weather performance (that's why the military uses them) and can ignite ball powders with more efficiency. If you use Winchester 748, for example, you might consider the Federal 215M primer, which is a match grade magnum primer. That can help a bit with consistency.

February 13, 2009, 04:50 PM	#1
mwsp Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2007 Posts: 4	which primers? I'm brand new getting into reloading and want to make my first batch of .308. I got my press, powder, bullets, but what primers? On the bottle of powder it says to use federal 210 with 150 gr Nos. BT, but when I go to the Hodgdons website it doesn't list primers for any other loads. The one I was looking at was: 165gr Hornady SP - 41 grains of Hodgdon H4895 powder - but which primer?

February 13, 2009, 05:21 PM	#2
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	If stores in your area are the same as aound here you can't be real choosy about primers. Any large rifle primer should light off H4895 just fine. What kind of rifle? If it's a M1A you might want to avoid the more sensitive primers (Federal). __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

February 13, 2009, 05:22 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	mwsp WELCOME TO TFL!!! If you look on the top right of the load data page, you will see an E-Mail button. If you e-mail yourself a copy of that data page, it will include primer and other information which you cannot view on the data page. Good shooting! __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 13, 2009, 07:30 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The Federal Primers are milder than some. Unless, as suggested, you are going for very cold weather loads, the 210's will be fine. If you use anything else, like a magnum primer, knock the load down a couple more grains and work up watching for pressure signs. The reason for milder primers is better accuracy in some platforms. When the primer is milder it has less influence on peak pressure or on how much powder has burned when the bullet starts out, leaving it to the reloader to control that with powder charge. This is why you often see more spread in velocity reported with warmer primers. The benchrest shooters push it to another level by getting cases made with small rifle primers with extra small flashholes, even though the case head size is normally fitted for large rifle. All that said, though, you really have to be shooting better than half moa to stand much of a chance of seeing the difference in most guns. As long as you work the load up for accuracy with the primer you intend to use, it is usually possible to do pretty well. As mentioned, the magnum primers can improve cold weather performance (that's why the military uses them) and can ignite ball powders with more efficiency. If you use Winchester 748, for example, you might consider the Federal 215M primer, which is a match grade magnum primer. That can help a bit with consistency. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 13, 2009, 06:13 PM	#6
mwsp Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks guys. The rifle is a Sako 85 S. Any suggestions for a good reloading manual? I looked at Bass Pro and all they had was a Hornady manual, and suprise, it only has loads for Hornady bullets. http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/w...rrent=sako.jpg

February 13, 2009, 06:19 PM	#7
mwsp Junior Member Join Date: April 17, 2007 Posts: 4	Nevermind about the manual, I just searched it and found plenty of suggestions.

February 13, 2009, 06:38 PM	#8
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 381	The type of primer may be influaced by what you are loading for If you will be loading with ball powder or for very cold weather you should consider a magnum primer Just remember to reduce the max load because of the hotter magnum primer Because I load for some military rifles I use CCI # 34s, and to reduce my inventory of primers, I now use them in all my large rifle applications 308, 30-06, 303, 7.92X57, 7.62X54R 6.5X55 As you can see there are many things that will influance your choice of primers

February 13, 2009, 06:55 PM	#9
warnerwh Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Posts: 329	Different primers will affect accuracy too. They will also affect pressures. When working up a load try more than one brand if you want the best accuracy. Ditto for powder and bullets.