Difference in primers

BurkGlocker · August 18, 2008, 01:30 PM

I was looking at my primers the other day, after firing them, and it looked like the Remington primers may be softer then the Winchester primers.

is this true or do I need to cut back on my powder measure with the Remmy primers? I started with the minimum load, but it looks like the primers are flowing into the firing pin hole. Was using Unique in my 9mm loads.

Thanks,

Brad

Loader9 · August 18, 2008, 02:23 PM

Which primers and how much of what powder? Remington standard pistol primers are .020 thick and Winchesters are .021. Not near enough difference for you to have issues with one or the other at 9mm pressures.

SL1 · August 18, 2008, 06:53 PM

I don't know whether Winchester or Remington has the softer primer brass, because I use mostly CCI with some Winchester magnums (for W-296 powder). It could also be just one lot with soft brass.

Chronographing the loads MIGHT give you some indication, if the Remington's were substantially faster. But, it is possible for primers to raise pressures without raising velocity.

I think you will have to go with the experiences of others who have used both primers in 35,000 psi cartridges.

SL1

Archie · August 18, 2008, 07:39 PM

PPC shooters will typically use either Federal or Remington small pistol primers as they are easier to ignite than Winchester or CCI. In that way, one can use a lighter mainspring for a lighter double action trigger pull.

I've never bothered measuring the thickness of any of them. But my experience tells me Federal is the easiest to ignite, followed by Remington, then CCI and Winchester seems the hardest. (Some disagree, this is just my experience.) I'm not sure if that means the cups are softer or not, but it's an easy conclusion to make.

BurkGlocker · August 18, 2008, 08:54 PM

I was using 5.0 gr of Unique under 124 gr GDHPs with Remington small pistol primers in Winchester cases, but I loaded some with the same load, but with the WSP primers. OAL cartrige length was 1.122" which is only .002" over what Alliant recommends for OAL for that bullet and even less than 10% under the Max Load listed.

The Winchester primers didnt even have any primer flow where the Remington primers flowed completely over the firing pin indention.

Maybe this info will help more...

Thanks,

Brad

P.S. I do not own a chronograph so I do not actually know the velocity of the bullet, mostly just looking for signs of over pressure on the primer and expansion of the recovered bullets from my test mediums.

August 18, 2008, 01:30 PM	#1
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Difference in primers I was looking at my primers the other day, after firing them, and it looked like the Remington primers may be softer then the Winchester primers. is this true or do I need to cut back on my powder measure with the Remmy primers? I started with the minimum load, but it looks like the primers are flowing into the firing pin hole. Was using Unique in my 9mm loads. Thanks, Brad

August 18, 2008, 06:53 PM	#3
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	Thickness and hardness are different parameters I don't know whether Winchester or Remington has the softer primer brass, because I use mostly CCI with some Winchester magnums (for W-296 powder). It could also be just one lot with soft brass. Chronographing the loads MIGHT give you some indication, if the Remington's were substantially faster. But, it is possible for primers to raise pressures without raising velocity. I think you will have to go with the experiences of others who have used both primers in 35,000 psi cartridges. SL1

August 18, 2008, 07:39 PM	#4
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Primers do vary. PPC shooters will typically use either Federal or Remington small pistol primers as they are easier to ignite than Winchester or CCI. In that way, one can use a lighter mainspring for a lighter double action trigger pull. I've never bothered measuring the thickness of any of them. But my experience tells me Federal is the easiest to ignite, followed by Remington, then CCI and Winchester seems the hardest. (Some disagree, this is just my experience.) I'm not sure if that means the cups are softer or not, but it's an easy conclusion to make. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

August 18, 2008, 02:23 PM	#2
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	Which primers and how much of what powder? Remington standard pistol primers are .020 thick and Winchesters are .021. Not near enough difference for you to have issues with one or the other at 9mm pressures.

August 18, 2008, 08:54 PM	#5
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	I was using 5.0 gr of Unique under 124 gr GDHPs with Remington small pistol primers in Winchester cases, but I loaded some with the same load, but with the WSP primers. OAL cartrige length was 1.122" which is only .002" over what Alliant recommends for OAL for that bullet and even less than 10% under the Max Load listed. The Winchester primers didnt even have any primer flow where the Remington primers flowed completely over the firing pin indention. Maybe this info will help more... Thanks, Brad P.S. I do not own a chronograph so I do not actually know the velocity of the bullet, mostly just looking for signs of over pressure on the primer and expansion of the recovered bullets from my test mediums.