Primers

Darksith · April 2, 2010, 05:03 PM

I am still fairly new at reloading, and I was wondering about primers. I see lots of people tracking what primers they are using. How important is this? All primers are not created equal? What is the best primer out there IYO? Why?

**Unclenick** · April 2, 2010, 05:08 PM

Depends on your purpose. They can vary pressure about 10% with the same powder charge. Since pressure, in small changes, varies roughly with the square of a change in powder charge, that means reducing your charge weight 5% when you change primers then working the load back up to the original velocity should keep you safe.

Read this article on primers for information about when one will work better than others. There is no single answer.

kraigwy · April 2, 2010, 06:49 PM

No sir, not all primers are created equal. One needs to pick the primer that works with their individual load.

Just to give an example, In my Ruger # 1, in 204 Ruger, I picked the Accuracy load listed by Serria as a starting point. Using their recommended load of Benchmark, pusing a 32 grn bullet I got about 3700 fps and pressure signs using Fed match SR primers, by doing nothing but changing to CCI Standard SR primers I get 4300 fps without the high pressure signs.

Primes are just as important and other components in tweaking your loads.

Darksith · April 2, 2010, 08:59 PM

great, thats exactly the info Im looking for.

So here is my plan, you tell me if Im retarded or on the right path. I will work up a load using the primers I have, I will find its max load, then I will back down until I find my most accurate combo, then I will start to switch out primers to try and dial it in even further. Of course being very aware as to how close my load is to max, and possibly backing down a bit more then working back up with the new primer.

Sevens · April 2, 2010, 09:04 PM

Your plan sounds fine -- I'm no doctor, so ask your wife/girlfriend if you are retarded, we'll just go with whatever she says!

My plan is more like this... I bought some CCI primers back in the day, 'cause that is what my local shop had in stock. That was 22 years ago and I'm still using CCI primers. Non-mag, no bench rest. I don't shoot much rifle so hair-splitting accuracy is not at the top of my list, so I approach each load safely and with CCI primers.

If it doesn't work well enough with CCI primers, I'm not interested in trying any harder. I completely understand if hardcore accuracy addicts shooting precision rifles demand MORE than this; that makes sense. Just not for me.

I don't think CCI primers are any better or any worse than anything else out there. I just have used them for so long and I can get them, so those are my primers.

l98ster · April 2, 2010, 09:09 PM

I have used and tested many types of primers. After all my testing, I determined that the winchester small pistol primers work best for my loads (i am shooting 38 special)

In my recent testing, I have found that there is not a whole lot of difference between primers. I load 148gr HBWC with either 2.7gr of bullseye, 2.8gr of titegroup or 3.3gr of WW231.

All of these loads produce 750 - 780fps regardless of the primer. If I step it up to a magnum primer, I see about 20 - 30fps more.

Now, these are very light target loads. If you get into the higher pressure stuff, primers may make a difference at that point. I have no experience with higher pressure stuff.

Lastly, I think it would be safe to say you should start with the MINIMUM load first and work your way up. As far as light target loads, my best loads came at the lower end of the spectrum.

Good luck!!!
-George

Sport45 · April 2, 2010, 09:24 PM

Primers do make a difference, but these days you may be severely limited by availability. You may have to buy what you can find and then work a load up with them.

Darksith · April 2, 2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Lastly, I think it would be safe to say you should start with the MINIMUM load first and work your way up. As far as light target loads, my best loads came at the lower end of the spectrum.

I always do this. But Im guessing your saying with a different primer start at the bottom again. I strive for accuracy as a hobby, I hunt for meat. I want the most accurate load over the greatest distance to maximize my versatillity.

sourdough44 · April 3, 2010, 06:46 AM

I match the primer to the load, non mag/mag etc, but use whatever I have. I usually never hover, start, or hang out at max loads. I agree there are primer differences, but to the average guy reloading & shooting it's not a big deal.

DiscoRacing · April 3, 2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

I agree there are primer differences, but to the average guy reloading & shooting it's not a big deal.

Thats what Im sayin.

April 2, 2010, 05:03 PM	#1
Darksith Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Posts: 68	Primers I am still fairly new at reloading, and I was wondering about primers. I see lots of people tracking what primers they are using. How important is this? All primers are not created equal? What is the best primer out there IYO? Why?

April 2, 2010, 05:08 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,732	Depends on your purpose. They can vary pressure about 10% with the same powder charge. Since pressure, in small changes, varies roughly with the square of a change in powder charge, that means reducing your charge weight 5% when you change primers then working the load back up to the original velocity should keep you safe. Read this article on primers for information about when one will work better than others. There is no single answer. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 2, 2010, 09:04 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Your plan sounds fine -- I'm no doctor, so ask your wife/girlfriend if you are retarded, we'll just go with whatever she says! My plan is more like this... I bought some CCI primers back in the day, 'cause that is what my local shop had in stock. That was 22 years ago and I'm still using CCI primers. Non-mag, no bench rest. I don't shoot much rifle so hair-splitting accuracy is not at the top of my list, so I approach each load safely and with CCI primers. If it doesn't work well enough with CCI primers, I'm not interested in trying any harder. I completely understand if hardcore accuracy addicts shooting precision rifles demand MORE than this; that makes sense. Just not for me. I don't think CCI primers are any better or any worse than anything else out there. I just have used them for so long and I can get them, so those are my primers. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

April 2, 2010, 09:24 PM	#7
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Primers do make a difference, but these days you may be severely limited by availability. You may have to buy what you can find and then work a load up with them. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

April 2, 2010, 06:49 PM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	No sir, not all primers are created equal. One needs to pick the primer that works with their individual load. Just to give an example, In my Ruger # 1, in 204 Ruger, I picked the Accuracy load listed by Serria as a starting point. Using their recommended load of Benchmark, pusing a 32 grn bullet I got about 3700 fps and pressure signs using Fed match SR primers, by doing nothing but changing to CCI Standard SR primers I get 4300 fps without the high pressure signs. Primes are just as important and other components in tweaking your loads.

April 2, 2010, 08:59 PM	#4
Darksith Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Posts: 68	great, thats exactly the info Im looking for. So here is my plan, you tell me if Im retarded or on the right path. I will work up a load using the primers I have, I will find its max load, then I will back down until I find my most accurate combo, then I will start to switch out primers to try and dial it in even further. Of course being very aware as to how close my load is to max, and possibly backing down a bit more then working back up with the new primer.

April 2, 2010, 09:09 PM	#6
l98ster Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2010 Location: Hopewell Junction, NY Posts: 454	I have used and tested many types of primers. After all my testing, I determined that the winchester small pistol primers work best for my loads (i am shooting 38 special) In my recent testing, I have found that there is not a whole lot of difference between primers. I load 148gr HBWC with either 2.7gr of bullseye, 2.8gr of titegroup or 3.3gr of WW231. All of these loads produce 750 - 780fps regardless of the primer. If I step it up to a magnum primer, I see about 20 - 30fps more. Now, these are very light target loads. If you get into the higher pressure stuff, primers may make a difference at that point. I have no experience with higher pressure stuff. Lastly, I think it would be safe to say you should start with the MINIMUM load first and work your way up. As far as light target loads, my best loads came at the lower end of the spectrum. Good luck!!! -George

April 3, 2010, 06:46 AM	#9
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 623	I match the primer to the load, non mag/mag etc, but use whatever I have. I usually never hover, start, or hang out at max loads. I agree there are primer differences, but to the average guy reloading & shooting it's not a big deal.