Which Small Rifle Primers...Does it make a difference?

Southern Shooter · March 16, 2011, 07:46 AM

I have been told to use small rifle primers in reloading .454 Casull ammunition. Does it matter which small rifle primers? And, if so, which ones and why?

Thanks

wogpotter · March 16, 2011, 08:07 AM

Do you mean brand, or type as in standard or magnum?

Southern Shooter · March 16, 2011, 08:14 AM

brand and type.

Thanks

wogpotter · March 16, 2011, 11:35 AM

First let me say that if you are working up a load then go with exactly whatever the load calls for in both type & brand.
If you want something else then back off the load & work up again with the new selection.
OK, end of reloading safety lecture.

Personally I like CCI primers & use them in both my rifle (.308 & .3033 Brit) & pistol (.357 Mag) loads. I've used them for many years & have had zero problems & good results for consistency & accuracy. It is just a personal preference though.
As for type some powders work better with magnum primers & the cups are supposed to be harder as well. I guess I'd go with the suggestion of the load recipe from the powder maker on this.

Doodlebugger45 · March 16, 2011, 12:30 PM

When I first started loading for my .454, I used CCI small rifle benchrest primers. The benchrest were the only small rifle primers I could find at that time. Later on, I bought some Remington small rifle Magnums. And finally, one guy just gave me 100 Wolf brand small rifle primers. I have tried those 3 different primers and so far I have not noticed any differences whatsoever. I have shot mostly W296 powder but have also tried 2400 and IMR4227. It just doesn't seem like the primers make much difference compared to different bullets and powders. But maybe I'm not a good enough shot to see the difference.

madmo44mag · March 16, 2011, 12:53 PM

I'm with Doodlebugger45 on this one.
If the powder selection was right for the cartridge and the bullet, primers "seem" to have little to no noticeable effect.
Also the 454 is a straight wall case and pretty full so ignition is seldom a problem with the correct powder choice.

March 16, 2011, 07:46 AM	#1
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 469	Which Small Rifle Primers...Does it make a difference? I have been told to use small rifle primers in reloading .454 Casull ammunition. Does it matter which small rifle primers? And, if so, which ones and why? Thanks __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley

March 16, 2011, 08:07 AM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Do you mean brand, or type as in standard or magnum? __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

March 16, 2011, 08:14 AM	#3
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 469	brand and type. Thanks __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley Last edited by Southern Shooter; March 16, 2011 at 08:42 AM.

March 16, 2011, 11:35 AM	#4
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	First let me say that if you are working up a load then go with exactly whatever the load calls for in both type & brand. If you want something else then back off the load & work up again with the new selection. OK, end of reloading safety lecture. Personally I like CCI primers & use them in both my rifle (.308 & .3033 Brit) & pistol (.357 Mag) loads. I've used them for many years & have had zero problems & good results for consistency & accuracy. It is just a personal preference though. As for type some powders work better with magnum primers & the cups are supposed to be harder as well. I guess I'd go with the suggestion of the load recipe from the powder maker on this. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

March 16, 2011, 12:53 PM	#6
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	I'm with Doodlebugger45 on this one. If the powder selection was right for the cartridge and the bullet, primers "seem" to have little to no noticeable effect. Also the 454 is a straight wall case and pretty full so ignition is seldom a problem with the correct powder choice. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

March 16, 2011, 12:30 PM	#5
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	When I first started loading for my .454, I used CCI small rifle benchrest primers. The benchrest were the only small rifle primers I could find at that time. Later on, I bought some Remington small rifle Magnums. And finally, one guy just gave me 100 Wolf brand small rifle primers. I have tried those 3 different primers and so far I have not noticed any differences whatsoever. I have shot mostly W296 powder but have also tried 2400 and IMR4227. It just doesn't seem like the primers make much difference compared to different bullets and powders. But maybe I'm not a good enough shot to see the difference.