.308 Primer Recommendation

[scsims]

I have been shooting 168gr SMKs out to 700 yards with the below recipe.

Brass - Win
Primer - Win LR
Powder - Varget 46 gr.

I recently bought 175 SMKs to try out to 1000 yards. At the same time I decided to purchase Lapua brass to work up with this new load to try and tighthen up the brass inconsistancies. I have 2 boxes of CCI BR2 LR primers on hand, I would like to know if you would recommend using those or just sticking with the Winchester primers?

 

[backwoods83]

CCI BR2 primers are great as are Fed210Ms. The military "sniper" round it seems your looking to duplicate is Lake City brass (similar in capacity to Lapua) 41.5grns Imr4895 and CCI #34 mil spec primers. Imr4895 is a better choice for the 175 smk IMO.

 

[rscott5028]

+1

You should always back down a hair and work up when changing components.

But, BR2 and 210M are great primers for your objective.

 

[Greyfox]

I get excellent results with the 175 SMKs with Lapua brass and 42 gr. of Varget with Fed210M. My results with Varget were the same using Win LR, BR2, and 210M primers. I found when using IMR 4895 in the same charge weight that similiar results were consistantly achieved using Win LR primers. The others did not shoot as well in my Rem Mil Spec. The Varget appeared to be less temperature sensitive than IMR4895. It would be a good idea to test the different primers. Also, I found that the Winchester brass is thinner than the Lapua brass and had to adjust my neck tension in the dye.

 

[Bart B]

Wolff primers have for several years been the favorite for top level competitors with the .308. And IMR4064 has the best accuracy track record with a .308 case holding bullets from 160 through 190 grains. Varget and IMR4895 are great for bullets from 130 up to 160 grains in a .308.

You'll need to shoot at least 15 to 20 shots per test group to begin to see the difference. Any less shots per test group ain't all that reliable. If you shoot two groups and they're not the same size, you're not shooting enough rounds in each to be meaningful. It all depends on how much confidence one wants to have with their load.

 

[scsims]

Just did an internet search and it sure seems like alot of people are using Varget with this combo.

I think I'll try it first just to see with the Federal 210M primer. I would try the BR2s but they are harder to find around here and if I got a good load with them I could be screwed.

BTW, I saw where people had AOL @ 2.802-2.810". Is this so they will fit in the magazine? Because mine are 2.945" but don't fit in the mag..... they just shoot better.

 

[Greyfox]

Just did an internet search and it sure seems like alot of people are using Varget with this combo.

I think I'll try it first just to see with the Federal 210M primer. I would try the BR2s but they are harder to find around here and if I got a good load with them I could be screwed.

BTW, I saw where people had AOL @ 2.802-2.810". Is this so they will fit in the magazine? Because mine are 2.945" but don't fit in the mag..... they just shoot better.

Mine are 2.10 because they fit the mag, but I was also able to get excellent accuracy at this seating depth. Bullet jump is .180".

 

[emn83]

not to really hijack the thread...but, I bought CCI 200 primers, would it be worth my while to buy some Fed 210M to try out?

 

[Greyfox]

not to really hijack the thread...but, I bought CCI 200 primers, would it be worth my while to buy some Fed 210M to try out?

Depends on how happy you are with your current performance. I have found good performance with standard primers. I think that it is more important to have a sufficient quantity of whatever primers work well with the same lot# than shooting match primers just for the sake they are match grade.

 

[emn83]

Depends on how happy you are with your current performance. I have found good performance with standard primers. I think that it is more important to have a sufficient quantity of whatever primers work well with the same lot# than shooting match primers just for the sake they are match grade.

Thanks, I was just curious...just getting into reloading...2000 rounds made so far, so I'm looking at what different things I can do

 

[joe0121]

+1

You should always back down a hair and work up when changing components.

But, BR2 and 210M are great primers for your objective.

BR2's are awesome primers. gun)

 

[joe0121]

Depends on how happy you are with your current performance. I have found good performance with standard primers. I think that it is more important to have a sufficient quantity of whatever primers work well with the same lot# than shooting match primers just for the sake they are match grade.

In my limited experiance you simply cant go wrong with CCI Primers.

 

[Nomad]

A new military load in 7.62X51 with the 175gr SMK in military brass with markings FC 08, FC 07 on the bottom ( head stamp ) of the case 41.7 of IMR4064 and a 210M primer.
Did a work up on this load and was pleased with the results went up to 42.2 of IMR 4064 in my
M1A stock and shot a 3/4 center to center group at 2600fps, have not tried it in a bolt gun...
In standard Federal brass have loaded Speer 180gr spbt bullet and RL-17 with a 210M 23" barrel 308 got 2742 fps with a submin group.
All above was prep with just doing primer pockets, flash holes, neck sizing after a small base die sizing .335 Redding bushing on all cases.

 

[Derek M.]

I ONLY use Federal primers. I use non match primers in rifles with loads I know will be relatively close, like black bear hunts I go on and close deer shots in many spots I hunt. When it comes to slinging some lead some distance I only use match primers. I've never tried CCI primers but enough fellas do that I'm sure they perform to their satisfaction.