Primers

enstorm · November 24, 2007, 10:55 PM

Soft, hard (yes, this is about reloading), hot, not hot, etc etc. I have seen many post now about the pressure, and maybe other performance differences between loads with primers by cci, federal, winchester, and so forth. More recently, saw a post that some brand was too "soft" to handle max safe loads vs another brand -- I suppose the guy meant primers would blow out. Can someone point me to actual studies establishing how different primers affect safety and performance in rifle and pistol rounds? Thanks

totalloser · November 30, 2007, 10:01 PM

Hard refers basically to the thickness of the brass the cup of the primer is formed from. Military primers (#41 and m34) are "harder" than commercial ammo to prevent "slam fires" from the firing pin's inertia kissing the primer when you cycle the action.
Hot refers to loads that are more powerful than recommended loads. If primers are failing under pressure, they are SUPER low quality or your load is just a really high pressure load. I imagine pieces of barrel in my head when I hear primers not holding the pressure.
If I was you, asking this question, I would buy a reloading book. Reliable answers to your questions. I like Lee's reloading book best, personally.

November 24, 2007, 10:55 PM	#1
enstorm Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 217	Primers Soft, hard (yes, this is about reloading), hot, not hot, etc etc. I have seen many post now about the pressure, and maybe other performance differences between loads with primers by cci, federal, winchester, and so forth. More recently, saw a post that some brand was too "soft" to handle max safe loads vs another brand -- I suppose the guy meant primers would blow out. Can someone point me to actual studies establishing how different primers affect safety and performance in rifle and pistol rounds? Thanks

November 30, 2007, 10:01 PM	#2
totalloser Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Location: Fort Bragg, CA Posts: 679	Hard refers basically to the thickness of the brass the cup of the primer is formed from. Military primers (#41 and m34) are "harder" than commercial ammo to prevent "slam fires" from the firing pin's inertia kissing the primer when you cycle the action. Hot refers to loads that are more powerful than recommended loads. If primers are failing under pressure, they are SUPER low quality or your load is just a really high pressure load. I imagine pieces of barrel in my head when I hear primers not holding the pressure. If I was you, asking this question, I would buy a reloading book. Reliable answers to your questions. I like Lee's reloading book best, personally.