Which manufacturers make "soft" primers vs. "hard" ones?

YosemiteSam357 · June 6, 2005, 03:51 PM

I've read, but don't have handy, references to certain manufacturers' primers being harder than others. This implies to me that others must be known for being "softer", or at least, not as hard as the hardest ones. Can anyone tell me which makers to look for if looking for "soft" primers?

I'm specifically looking for primers for .44 mag loads.

Thanks in advance,

-- Sam

Edward429451 · June 6, 2005, 03:53 PM

IME, CCI is the hardest, Winchester next, and Federal softest. I've neber used Remington primers.

Ben Shepherd · June 6, 2005, 06:34 PM

You want soft? Easy. Federal. They are the softest(on average) commercially available primer. CCI are the hardest.

BTW: What are you wanting to cook up for your 44. I have alot of load data for that caliber. I'll give ideas/experiences if they are wanted.

Jeeper · June 6, 2005, 10:33 PM

Remington are considered to be the most consistent primers. Federal are the softest. For revos with a light trigger you want federal. That is what everyone competitive in revo shoots

YosemiteSam357 · June 7, 2005, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the offer, Ben. At this point I'm still shooting commercial stuff out of my .44.

A friend is reloading for his. He experienced light strikes only after installing a lighter mainspring on his 629 (at my urging). He'd like to keep the lighter spring since it makes the trigger so much nicer. I figured I'd help him out by getting the scoop on primers.

FWIW, he's currently using 11.5gr of Unique behind a 240gr bullet, with (strangely enough) CCI magnum primers. He's going to switch to Federal.

I do reload rifle stuff, but haven't gotten the .44 dies yet. I'm waiting to see how much I shoot it.

-- Sam

kgpcr · June 7, 2005, 09:10 PM

CCI seem to be just a bit harder and in my mind a little more consistant. with many many thousands shot i have yet to have one not go bang when i should

June 6, 2005, 03:51 PM	#1
YosemiteSam357 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2002 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 231	Which manufacturers make "soft" primers vs. "hard" ones? I've read, but don't have handy, references to certain manufacturers' primers being harder than others. This implies to me that others must be known for being "softer", or at least, not as hard as the hardest ones. Can anyone tell me which makers to look for if looking for "soft" primers? I'm specifically looking for primers for .44 mag loads. Thanks in advance, -- Sam

June 6, 2005, 06:34 PM	#3
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	You want soft? Easy. Federal. They are the softest(on average) commercially available primer. CCI are the hardest. BTW: What are you wanting to cook up for your 44. I have alot of load data for that caliber. I'll give ideas/experiences if they are wanted. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

June 6, 2005, 10:33 PM	#4
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	Remington are considered to be the most consistent primers. Federal are the softest. For revos with a light trigger you want federal. That is what everyone competitive in revo shoots __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

June 7, 2005, 09:10 PM	#6
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	I love CCI CCI seem to be just a bit harder and in my mind a little more consistant. with many many thousands shot i have yet to have one not go bang when i should

June 6, 2005, 03:53 PM	#2
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	IME, CCI is the hardest, Winchester next, and Federal softest. I've neber used Remington primers.

June 7, 2005, 01:00 PM	#5
YosemiteSam357 Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2002 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 231	Thanks for the offer, Ben. At this point I'm still shooting commercial stuff out of my .44. A friend is reloading for his. He experienced light strikes only after installing a lighter mainspring on his 629 (at my urging). He'd like to keep the lighter spring since it makes the trigger so much nicer. I figured I'd help him out by getting the scoop on primers. FWIW, he's currently using 11.5gr of Unique behind a 240gr bullet, with (strangely enough) CCI magnum primers. He's going to switch to Federal. I do reload rifle stuff, but haven't gotten the .44 dies yet. I'm waiting to see how much I shoot it. -- Sam