Looking at a big buy of small pistol primers

Nathan · May 3, 2025, 03:29 PM

What are your thoughts about Magtech vs Win vs CCI vs Xtreme?

I've used Win and CCI with fine results. I'd like to try Magtech since they are usually less expensive. What is your experience?

Nathan · May 3, 2025, 08:03 PM

I think I will jump on the Magtech's. . .Not sure what else there is in the ball park.

Dead-Nuts-Zero · May 3, 2025, 10:27 PM

I've used Magtech primers for many years...my only complaint is they were sometimes difficult to find.

I last bought 25K on a deal a few years ago and since bought Winchester on a sale w/rebate. Have not had need for fresh Magtech's in about 10 years but the old ones worked great for me in small pistol. I still have some and use them on occasion.

Unless they have changed over last 15 or so years, I would certainly buy if I needed primers.

Shadow9mm · May 4, 2025, 05:58 AM

I have always been partial to cci. Never had a problem with winchester. Had great results from fiocchi as well. Never tried magtech or xtreme.

glider · May 4, 2025, 06:27 AM

I stick with the major brands, Rem, CCI, and Federal. There isn't enough difference in the price for me to take a chance on the off shore stuff. I wouldn't be afraid of to try Magtech but I wouldn't start off with more than 1000. Federal is the softest, best of you have a lite main spring [primer strike] but I've never had a problem with the ones I named.

Nathan · May 4, 2025, 07:30 AM

Quote:

I stick with the major brands, Rem, CCI, and Federal. There isn't enough difference in the price for me to take a chance on the off shore stuff.

Huh….Is Magtech off shore? Price difference was $25 per 1000.

**Unclenick** · May 5, 2025, 05:16 AM

Off-shore doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. When Russian KVB primers were still available, Slamfire reported consistent single digit SDs using them in 30-06, beating his best numbers with domestic primers of any make. They are the devil to seat, but boy do they shoot.

Russia and many European countries, despite their strict gun laws (or maybe partly because of them), are big fans of target shooting matches. Their top marksmen have groupies that follow them from match to match. I remember one of our Olympic competitors commenting that he was shooting a clean target in a match over there, and when he threw a ten close to the very end, hearing applause break out and wondering what it was for. It was for him. He'd never had that experience here, though that would not have been true 150 years ago, when people would travel for days by horse and carriage to be part of the crowd at a big match.

All that enthusiasm causes some good ammunition and components to be made across the pond to keep their shooters competitive.

A couple of primer studies have been on my back burner for awhile. With the new domestic production, I should try to get to that.

Nathan · May 5, 2025, 09:15 AM

Well, when I get them, I will develop some target loads for my S&W 14-3. I’ll post some Sd results with 18is shots.

With Win SP, I think I’m getting an Sd of 13fps from my Browning HP 9mm. Mix brass, CFEPISTOL 5.3gr and Xtreme 124gr FMJ seated to 1.15”. 15 shots in that Sd. Temp was a moderate ~70F.

Please don’t use that load without a workup. I hate posting load specific data!

Throckmorton · May 5, 2025, 10:35 AM

I have been shooting Magtech lpp's for about a year now, zero problems , I'll continue to buy them and save a good 20-40 bucks a thou. having to order other brands, these are in stock in town..a very small town.

Average Joe · June 1, 2025, 01:06 PM

I've used them all...never had a problem with any of them... I go with whatever I can find at a decent price.

**Unclenick** · June 3, 2025, 09:34 AM

Examining a Magtech ammunition box, it states, "Made in Brazil."

rmh3481 · June 18, 2025, 10:07 PM

Ive been loading the Servicios SPP, and have used 8-10k of them since I wrote the review here. No problems to really discuss. Sure, every once in awhile I get one that wont fire. I think there are 3 rounds that would not fire in a different action. If Im loading defensive H/P rounds I use Winchester SPP.

Ive also loaded 4k of the Magtech LPP in 45acp ammo. Again, no real issues. I dont have any of these in the DNF jar, so that tells me they have all fired.

Republic in Ohio has the Servicios SPP for 3.2cents. The Winchester SPP came from American Reloading for a nickel. The Magtech LPP came from Brownell's around the 4th of July last year for 6cents, no hazmat and free shipping. I wanted primers that were going to be easy to seat and these were what came recommended from others who were using them.

**Unclenick** · June 19, 2025, 11:08 AM

...and today, Winchester SPP is $0.055 at Powder Valley.

Nathan · June 27, 2025, 05:48 PM

I bought 5000 Magtech 1-1/2 SPP's. I figured I should post something to conclude this thread.

First round of Chrono data(n=33) on a load of CFEPistol under 124gr Xtreme FMJ shows a loss of 23 fps(2% lower) to CCI SP and Sd is 16fps(about 30% worse). I'm going to try to bump the charge weight a bit to see if my Sd or accuracy improve getting closer to the original velocity. Accuracy is indistinguishable, but this is not a super accurate pistol.

Seating is easier on the LNL AP and everything goes bang.

Overall, I think it is a good buy and I would buy again at a $20 per 1000 discount. If same price, I'd like to have my Sd back!

May 3, 2025, 03:29 PM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,823	Looking at a big buy of small pistol primers What are your thoughts about Magtech vs Win vs CCI vs Xtreme? I've used Win and CCI with fine results. I'd like to try Magtech since they are usually less expensive. What is your experience?

May 3, 2025, 10:27 PM	#3
Dead-Nuts-Zero Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2004 Posts: 584	I've used Magtech primers for many years...my only complaint is they were sometimes difficult to find. I last bought 25K on a deal a few years ago and since bought Winchester on a sale w/rebate. Have not had need for fresh Magtech's in about 10 years but the old ones worked great for me in small pistol. I still have some and use them on occasion. Unless they have changed over last 15 or so years, I would certainly buy if I needed primers. __________________ . . BANG------------ >>> !

May 4, 2025, 05:58 AM	#4
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,602	I have always been partial to cci. Never had a problem with winchester. Had great results from fiocchi as well. Never tried magtech or xtreme. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

May 5, 2025, 05:16 AM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	Off-shore doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. When Russian KVB primers were still available, Slamfire reported consistent single digit SDs using them in 30-06, beating his best numbers with domestic primers of any make. They are the devil to seat, but boy do they shoot. Russia and many European countries, despite their strict gun laws (or maybe partly because of them), are big fans of target shooting matches. Their top marksmen have groupies that follow them from match to match. I remember one of our Olympic competitors commenting that he was shooting a clean target in a match over there, and when he threw a ten close to the very end, hearing applause break out and wondering what it was for. It was for him. He'd never had that experience here, though that would not have been true 150 years ago, when people would travel for days by horse and carriage to be part of the crowd at a big match. All that enthusiasm causes some good ammunition and components to be made across the pond to keep their shooters competitive. A couple of primer studies have been on my back burner for awhile. With the new domestic production, I should try to get to that. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 3, 2025, 09:34 AM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	Examining a Magtech ammunition box, it states, "Made in Brazil." __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 3, 2025, 08:03 PM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,823	I think I will jump on the Magtech's. . .Not sure what else there is in the ball park.

May 4, 2025, 06:27 AM	#5
glider Member Join Date: March 16, 2025 Posts: 54	I stick with the major brands, Rem, CCI, and Federal. There isn't enough difference in the price for me to take a chance on the off shore stuff. I wouldn't be afraid of to try Magtech but I wouldn't start off with more than 1000. Federal is the softest, best of you have a lite main spring [primer strike] but I've never had a problem with the ones I named.

May 5, 2025, 09:15 AM	#8
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,823	Well, when I get them, I will develop some target loads for my S&W 14-3. I’ll post some Sd results with 18is shots. With Win SP, I think I’m getting an Sd of 13fps from my Browning HP 9mm. Mix brass, CFEPISTOL 5.3gr and Xtreme 124gr FMJ seated to 1.15”. 15 shots in that Sd. Temp was a moderate ~70F. Please don’t use that load without a workup. I hate posting load specific data!

May 5, 2025, 10:35 AM	#9
Throckmorton Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Washougal,Wa Posts: 148	I have been shooting Magtech lpp's for about a year now, zero problems , I'll continue to buy them and save a good 20-40 bucks a thou. having to order other brands, these are in stock in town..a very small town.

June 1, 2025, 01:06 PM	#10
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,332	I've used them all...never had a problem with any of them... I go with whatever I can find at a decent price.

June 18, 2025, 10:07 PM	#12
rmh3481 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2015 Location: Western Pa Posts: 111	Ive been loading the Servicios SPP, and have used 8-10k of them since I wrote the review here. No problems to really discuss. Sure, every once in awhile I get one that wont fire. I think there are 3 rounds that would not fire in a different action. If Im loading defensive H/P rounds I use Winchester SPP. Ive also loaded 4k of the Magtech LPP in 45acp ammo. Again, no real issues. I dont have any of these in the DNF jar, so that tells me they have all fired. Republic in Ohio has the Servicios SPP for 3.2cents. The Winchester SPP came from American Reloading for a nickel. The Magtech LPP came from Brownell's around the 4th of July last year for 6cents, no hazmat and free shipping. I wanted primers that were going to be easy to seat and these were what came recommended from others who were using them.

June 19, 2025, 11:08 AM	#13
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	...and today, Winchester SPP is $0.055 at Powder Valley. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 27, 2025, 05:48 PM	#14
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,823	I bought 5000 Magtech 1-1/2 SPP's. I figured I should post something to conclude this thread. First round of Chrono data(n=33) on a load of CFEPistol under 124gr Xtreme FMJ shows a loss of 23 fps(2% lower) to CCI SP and Sd is 16fps(about 30% worse). I'm going to try to bump the charge weight a bit to see if my Sd or accuracy improve getting closer to the original velocity. Accuracy is indistinguishable, but this is not a super accurate pistol. Seating is easier on the LNL AP and everything goes bang. Overall, I think it is a good buy and I would buy again at a $20 per 1000 discount. If same price, I'd like to have my Sd back!