Primer Differences

paralaska · May 3, 2012, 02:22 AM

I understand that magnum primers are supposed to be a little hotter than regular primers . . . so what is the difference with bench rest primers ?

I'm currently working up loads for 454 Casull and have used both regular and magnum small rifle primers. So far, both seem to work ok. Primers are in short supply here and I couldn't find any mag primers, so I thought I'd get the bench rest primers . . . are they supposed to ignite better than the regular ones or what??

mrawesome22 · May 3, 2012, 03:29 AM

The compound in them is mixed by the most experienced workers at the plant.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Scimmia · May 3, 2012, 03:29 AM

Benchrest primers are supposed to have better consistency. That is, the exact same amount of priming compound and tighter tolerances in the cup and anvil manufacturing. This creates a primer that will ignite the charge exactly the same every time. They aren't going to be mag powered.

RobertInIowa · May 3, 2012, 06:48 AM

^^^^ What he said, cuz anyone from Iowa, can't be wrong!

dahermit · May 3, 2012, 08:30 AM

I am not convinced that "Bench Rest" primers are naught but a way to get more money for primers. After all, primers are made using automated equipment, little if any hand-work, human control. Nevertheless, I always use them in my rifle loads...just in case there is a difference from the regular (and cheaper), ones.

Edward429451 · May 3, 2012, 12:04 PM

With Primers, Match=Magnum= Benchrest. There's not very many different ways to make primers. You have different sizes, and different amounts of compound. Thats it. So either you have standard primers or Magnum primers. The bewildering array of nice names and packaging is simply marketing.

True story. Remington factory. Call and ask.

Bart B. · May 3, 2012, 02:08 PM

I asked a rep from Federal some years ago about their match grade primers. He said that they will test a bunch of primers from a fresh lot off the assembly line and those that produce the lowest muzzle velocity spread will be dubbed "Match" and so labeled and marketed. He didn't say what type of gun they were fired in.

The reason is the putty-like primer compound is hand-mixed by people using a paddle on a flat surface much like a person making fudge on a huge granite slab. As the person uses his paddle to fold, mix, spread, then do that again in all directions, the mix of components get uniformly distributed in the "slurry" as it's called. This process is "black magic" in nature as a certain knack of making the slurry as uniform as possible throughout its mass is difficult, but possible.

Next, the slurry is spread into little cup shaped holes in a plate where they dry. Then those pellets pushed out and put in a primer cup, a sealer's put on top of the pellet and finally an anvil is pressed in place atop the sealer.

The primers are tested for ignition specs by putting one in an empty case then chambering it in a test barrel and test firing them with a range of firing pin impact forces. Finally they're tested for uniformity.

More interesting primer info......

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com...mer-study.html

Slamfire · May 3, 2012, 04:45 PM

I saw a post or thread somewhere that CCI benchrest primers are weighed at the factory. I don't know where the rejects go.

I know lots of very good target rifleman who use CCI benchrest.

I am too cheap and I am sticking with my standard primers.

Bart B. · May 3, 2012, 08:20 PM

Slamfire comments:

Quote:

I saw a post or thread somewhere that CCI benchrest primers are weighed at the factory. I don't know where the rejects go.

I have heard of such stuff. But the metal parts in primers weigh more than the priming pellet itself weighs; how does one separate the stuff that goes bang from the cup, seal and anvil's weight variables?

If they weigh just the primer pellet, then I could understand their reasons.

old roper · May 3, 2012, 08:43 PM

Here is post on how primer are made.

http://www.nij.gov/training/firearms...m05_t07_02.htm

dagger dog · May 3, 2012, 08:54 PM

If nothing else the placebo effect of "benchrest" , "match" primers makes the shooter positive he has assembled the most accurate round possible.

davery25 · May 3, 2012, 09:23 PM

I've never noticed an improvement using BR primers. As stated above, the only difference is that they'll always be consistent.

They come off the exact same machines, but people then inspect them and choose ones with no defects.

If you look at Federal 210s you'll notice that the red sealant/priming compound for at least 1 or 2 in every box are missing one side. If you buy the BR primers, you're guaranteed this won't be the case.

How much difference this really makes is arguable as there's no science to primer choice - you've just got to try different ones and see which ones work.

Having said that, I've never seen irregularities in standard Winchester primers. BR primers have never proved most accurate for me, nor have any other primer types other then winchester.

Even if i were shooting benchrest comp - i'd just stick with the primers that work, I wouldn't worry about whether they're 'benchrest' or not.

May 3, 2012, 02:22 AM	#1
paralaska Member Join Date: September 29, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 24	Primer Differences I understand that magnum primers are supposed to be a little hotter than regular primers . . . so what is the difference with bench rest primers ? I'm currently working up loads for 454 Casull and have used both regular and magnum small rifle primers. So far, both seem to work ok. Primers are in short supply here and I couldn't find any mag primers, so I thought I'd get the bench rest primers . . . are they supposed to ignite better than the regular ones or what??

May 3, 2012, 04:45 PM	#8
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I saw a post or thread somewhere that CCI benchrest primers are weighed at the factory. I don't know where the rejects go. I know lots of very good target rifleman who use CCI benchrest. I am too cheap and I am sticking with my standard primers. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

May 3, 2012, 08:43 PM	#10
old roper Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Posts: 2,164	Here is post on how primer are made. http://www.nij.gov/training/firearms...m05_t07_02.htm __________________ Semper Fi Vietnam 1965 VFW Life member NRA Life Member

May 3, 2012, 03:29 AM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	The compound in them is mixed by the most experienced workers at the plant. Nothing more, nothing less.

May 3, 2012, 03:29 AM	#3
Scimmia Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2011 Location: Eastern IA Posts: 428	Benchrest primers are supposed to have better consistency. That is, the exact same amount of priming compound and tighter tolerances in the cup and anvil manufacturing. This creates a primer that will ignite the charge exactly the same every time. They aren't going to be mag powered.

May 3, 2012, 06:48 AM	#4
RobertInIowa Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 149	^^^^ What he said, cuz anyone from Iowa, can't be wrong!

May 3, 2012, 08:30 AM	#5
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I am not convinced that "Bench Rest" primers are naught but a way to get more money for primers. After all, primers are made using automated equipment, little if any hand-work, human control. Nevertheless, I always use them in my rifle loads...just in case there is a difference from the regular (and cheaper), ones.

May 3, 2012, 12:04 PM	#6
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	With Primers, Match=Magnum= Benchrest. There's not very many different ways to make primers. You have different sizes, and different amounts of compound. Thats it. So either you have standard primers or Magnum primers. The bewildering array of nice names and packaging is simply marketing. True story. Remington factory. Call and ask.

May 3, 2012, 02:08 PM	#7
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	I asked a rep from Federal some years ago about their match grade primers. He said that they will test a bunch of primers from a fresh lot off the assembly line and those that produce the lowest muzzle velocity spread will be dubbed "Match" and so labeled and marketed. He didn't say what type of gun they were fired in. The reason is the putty-like primer compound is hand-mixed by people using a paddle on a flat surface much like a person making fudge on a huge granite slab. As the person uses his paddle to fold, mix, spread, then do that again in all directions, the mix of components get uniformly distributed in the "slurry" as it's called. This process is "black magic" in nature as a certain knack of making the slurry as uniform as possible throughout its mass is difficult, but possible. Next, the slurry is spread into little cup shaped holes in a plate where they dry. Then those pellets pushed out and put in a primer cup, a sealer's put on top of the pellet and finally an anvil is pressed in place atop the sealer. The primers are tested for ignition specs by putting one in an empty case then chambering it in a test barrel and test firing them with a range of firing pin impact forces. Finally they're tested for uniformity. More interesting primer info...... http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com...mer-study.html

May 3, 2012, 08:54 PM	#11
dagger dog Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 65	If nothing else the placebo effect of "benchrest" , "match" primers makes the shooter positive he has assembled the most accurate round possible.

May 3, 2012, 09:23 PM	#12
davery25 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 318	I've never noticed an improvement using BR primers. As stated above, the only difference is that they'll always be consistent. They come off the exact same machines, but people then inspect them and choose ones with no defects. If you look at Federal 210s you'll notice that the red sealant/priming compound for at least 1 or 2 in every box are missing one side. If you buy the BR primers, you're guaranteed this won't be the case. How much difference this really makes is arguable as there's no science to primer choice - you've just got to try different ones and see which ones work. Having said that, I've never seen irregularities in standard Winchester primers. BR primers have never proved most accurate for me, nor have any other primer types other then winchester. Even if i were shooting benchrest comp - i'd just stick with the primers that work, I wouldn't worry about whether they're 'benchrest' or not.