Primers

mdk187hj · May 31, 2008, 09:16 PM

Ok before I ask my possibly stupid and idiotic question I must first warn you that I am very "NEW" to reloading in the most literal sense of the word. So new that my press hasn't even been delivered by UPS yet.

Ok now for my question.... I am going to be reloading .223 rounds for my Remington model 700 SPS Varmint rifle. For starters I will be using IMR 3031 powder with 55 grain Hornady boat tail FMJ projectiles. Now for my question I received over 1200 Winchester "Small Pistol Primers for Standard Pistol Loads" from a relative. I was told I could use these in my .223 rounds but I am very skeptical of that statement and would like some input on if this will or won't work, and if its completely dangerous and idiotic to even think such a thing and i should just go out and get some small rifle primers.

This is going to be my first run doing this and I want to be as safe as possible and not turn my first reloading session into my last.

-Harry

snuffy · May 31, 2008, 09:22 PM

Good call on that! Small pistol primers are rated at much lower ability to contain pressure. .223 rounds are a much higher pressure round than any handgun rounds. Most likely they would pierce under the pressure of the .223 ammo.

Definetley get some small rifle primers, and welcome to the obsession.

Big Caliber · May 31, 2008, 10:59 PM

There are no stupid, dumb, or idiotic questions when it comes to reloading safety. If it were me, I'd hang onto those small pistol primers 'til I could get a small pistol or revolver to load for.

Iv'e always used the recommended primers for the application they were intended for. It's just 1 less thing to think about B4 I pull that trigger. Happy loading...you may find it addicting.

rwilson452 · May 31, 2008, 11:44 PM

Ah, now you have a good reason to pick up that 9mm pistol you have been looking at.

ryalred · June 1, 2008, 06:50 AM

As inexpensive as primers are, I'd leave your primers for small pistols. As others have mentioned--this would be a great excuse to buy a small caliber pistol

Alleykat · June 1, 2008, 08:09 AM

Please note, however, that lots of us 9mm reloaders use small rifle primers for 9mm reloading.

Archie · June 1, 2008, 09:57 AM

MDK, the small pistol primers will fit in the small rifle primer pockets - and will probably ignite the powder in the case. However, as has been mentioned, the small pistol primers are not made to contain rifle level pressures. F'rinstance, 9x19 and .357 Magnum rounds run at about 30,000 to 35,000 psi (usually measured in Lead Units of Pressure - LUP). .223 Remington runs at between 55,000 and 60,000 psi.

As advised, save the pistol primers for pistol ammo. Besides, the rifle primers have a bit more ignitor compound and typically do a better job of igniting the powder charge. That's a good thing.

mdk187hj · June 1, 2008, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the help everyone, I thought the whole thing sounded a bit fishy but I just wanted some conformation.

Now my next question is what Small Rifle primers would you recommend that I use. I was looking at the Remington 7 1/2 Bench Rest primers, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. I want to have a few to look for, the reason being is that from what I have seen, small rifle primers are hard to find in my area. Plus when I tried to order them online I was told that I cannot have powder products shipped to me in NJ.

Alleykat · June 1, 2008, 01:21 PM

Just get the least-expensive small rifle primers that you can find. I use CCI, Winchester, and Remington. Would use Federal, but I can't ever find them in stock. If I woke up in NJ and realized that was where I lived, I wouldn't need enough components except for one round.

Sigma 40 Blaster · June 1, 2008, 05:38 PM

If you're going to be reloading for .223 check out some small rifle primers in a white box (CCI I believe) that are a bit harder (supposedly) than normal small rifle primers made specifically for .223 (and their metric counterpart). This is supposed to prevent a slamfire.

I'm not saying it does but they cost the same as the other brands and I have not had a slamfire.

Antipasta · June 1, 2008, 07:28 PM

You never should have said New Jersey! The shipping of powder and primers is a universally expensive proposition. I go over to the frequent gun shows in Phila and Valley Forge (they're also up north around Easton too). It is my sole source for primers and powder. There's a show coming up in Valley Forge in the next week or so. Check this Pennsy forum under "Gun Shows" for details http://www.pafoa.org/forum/

Red_Eagle · June 1, 2008, 07:43 PM

I've been using WSR with stick powders. My 700 SPS's favorite load so far is Varget, WSR primers, and a 55 gr hornady SP-SX or V-max.

Tim R · June 2, 2008, 04:21 AM

My Favorite 223 primer is a Rem 7 1/2. However, I found with my rifle and my loads, CCI BR's shoots about the same. Stay away from Federal's and brass colored Winchesters. My rifle is match AR and I shoot 52 to 80 SMK's over Reloader-15 in Lake City cases.

rn22723 · June 2, 2008, 04:38 AM

There is nothing wrong with Federal primers, they have produced some of the best and consistent loads for me in several 223 bolt guns. Fed 205 and N133 with a 50gr Vmax is an awesome combo. I agree that since Win in the early 90's went to brass colored primers they became prone to piercing especially in the AR platform.

Then RP 7.5 is an excellent choice works well with TAC, Varget, IMR 4895, the CCI 450 is very good with TAC.

May 31, 2008, 09:16 PM	#1
mdk187hj Junior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 5	Primers Ok before I ask my possibly stupid and idiotic question I must first warn you that I am very "NEW" to reloading in the most literal sense of the word. So new that my press hasn't even been delivered by UPS yet. Ok now for my question.... I am going to be reloading .223 rounds for my Remington model 700 SPS Varmint rifle. For starters I will be using IMR 3031 powder with 55 grain Hornady boat tail FMJ projectiles. Now for my question I received over 1200 Winchester "Small Pistol Primers for Standard Pistol Loads" from a relative. I was told I could use these in my .223 rounds but I am very skeptical of that statement and would like some input on if this will or won't work, and if its completely dangerous and idiotic to even think such a thing and i should just go out and get some small rifle primers. This is going to be my first run doing this and I want to be as safe as possible and not turn my first reloading session into my last. -Harry

May 31, 2008, 09:22 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Good call on that! Small pistol primers are rated at much lower ability to contain pressure. .223 rounds are a much higher pressure round than any handgun rounds. Most likely they would pierce under the pressure of the .223 ammo. Definetley get some small rifle primers, and welcome to the obsession. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

June 1, 2008, 06:50 AM	#5
ryalred Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Location: SE Oklahoma Posts: 491	As inexpensive as primers are, I'd leave your primers for small pistols. As others have mentioned--this would be a great excuse to buy a small caliber pistol __________________ ryalred rifle & muzzleloader -- exhilarating bowhunting -- obsession reloading -- addicted

June 1, 2008, 09:57 AM	#7
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	MDK, the small pistol primers will fit in the small rifle primer pockets - and will probably ignite the powder in the case. However, as has been mentioned, the small pistol primers are not made to contain rifle level pressures. F'rinstance, 9x19 and .357 Magnum rounds run at about 30,000 to 35,000 psi (usually measured in Lead Units of Pressure - LUP). .223 Remington runs at between 55,000 and 60,000 psi. As advised, save the pistol primers for pistol ammo. Besides, the rifle primers have a bit more ignitor compound and typically do a better job of igniting the powder charge. That's a good thing. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

June 1, 2008, 07:28 PM	#11
Antipasta Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Exit 5 Posts: 140	You never should have said New Jersey! The shipping of powder and primers is a universally expensive proposition. I go over to the frequent gun shows in Phila and Valley Forge (they're also up north around Easton too). It is my sole source for primers and powder. There's a show coming up in Valley Forge in the next week or so. Check this Pennsy forum under "Gun Shows" for details http://www.pafoa.org/forum/ __________________ NRA, ANJRPC, NJCSD

May 31, 2008, 10:59 PM	#3
Big Caliber Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: S. CA Posts: 421	There are no stupid, dumb, or idiotic questions when it comes to reloading safety. If it were me, I'd hang onto those small pistol primers 'til I could get a small pistol or revolver to load for. Iv'e always used the recommended primers for the application they were intended for. It's just 1 less thing to think about B4 I pull that trigger. Happy loading...you may find it addicting.

May 31, 2008, 11:44 PM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Ah, now you have a good reason to pick up that 9mm pistol you have been looking at.

June 1, 2008, 08:09 AM	#6
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	Please note, however, that lots of us 9mm reloaders use small rifle primers for 9mm reloading.

June 1, 2008, 11:34 AM	#8
mdk187hj Junior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 5	Thanks for the help everyone, I thought the whole thing sounded a bit fishy but I just wanted some conformation. Now my next question is what Small Rifle primers would you recommend that I use. I was looking at the Remington 7 1/2 Bench Rest primers, but any other suggestions would be appreciated. I want to have a few to look for, the reason being is that from what I have seen, small rifle primers are hard to find in my area. Plus when I tried to order them online I was told that I cannot have powder products shipped to me in NJ.

June 1, 2008, 01:21 PM	#9
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	Just get the least-expensive small rifle primers that you can find. I use CCI, Winchester, and Remington. Would use Federal, but I can't ever find them in stock. If I woke up in NJ and realized that was where I lived, I wouldn't need enough components except for one round.

June 1, 2008, 05:38 PM	#10
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	If you're going to be reloading for .223 check out some small rifle primers in a white box (CCI I believe) that are a bit harder (supposedly) than normal small rifle primers made specifically for .223 (and their metric counterpart). This is supposed to prevent a slamfire. I'm not saying it does but they cost the same as the other brands and I have not had a slamfire.

June 1, 2008, 07:43 PM	#12
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I've been using WSR with stick powders. My 700 SPS's favorite load so far is Varget, WSR primers, and a 55 gr hornady SP-SX or V-max.

June 2, 2008, 04:21 AM	#13
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	My Favorite 223 primer is a Rem 7 1/2. However, I found with my rifle and my loads, CCI BR's shoots about the same. Stay away from Federal's and brass colored Winchesters. My rifle is match AR and I shoot 52 to 80 SMK's over Reloader-15 in Lake City cases. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

June 2, 2008, 04:38 AM	#14
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	There is nothing wrong with Federal primers, they have produced some of the best and consistent loads for me in several 223 bolt guns. Fed 205 and N133 with a 50gr Vmax is an awesome combo. I agree that since Win in the early 90's went to brass colored primers they became prone to piercing especially in the AR platform. Then RP 7.5 is an excellent choice works well with TAC, Varget, IMR 4895, the CCI 450 is very good with TAC.