which primer

njshooter

Active Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
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29
My local gun shop finally got large rifle primers. Federal 210 and Winchester. Which one should I buy? Reloading for my 30-06, H4350 and 168 gr berger bullets.
 
I have mostly Win and CCI primers, either should do just fine. I'd have to look up if the Federal primers are 'standard' or 'magnum', as long as they are standard should be fine for most loads.
 
I know this is not the answer you are looking for but my answer is which ever one produces the best accuracy with your chosen loads. Primers do make a difference. Federal has always produced great accuracy with most loads but I have gotten great accuracy with Winchester also. I believe from my experience that Winchester primers have a bit harder cup and will handle a little more pressure than Federal. I learned NOT TO USE FEDERAL in any semi-auto that has a free floating firing pin like the M1 Garand. The cup is too thin thus making them more sensitive and they will cause slam fire. My M1 Garand was double and triple firing when I was using Federal 210 Match primers and I thought something was wrong with the rifle the first time out with it. A long time reloader and M1 shooter came over and stopped me from shooting anymore and told me without even knowing that I was using Federal primers and that was my problem. I changed to CCI and CCI BR2 and have used Rem, WW and Wolf with no problems in the M1.
 
I worked up a accurate load using CCI but now I can't get them. I just wondered if anybody had better accuracy with Federal or Winchester without me buying 1000 primers at a time and not liking them.
 
I worked up a accurate load using CCI but now I can't get them. I just wondered if anybody had better accuracy with Federal or Winchester without me buying 1000 primers at a time and not liking them.

Like RT said, you would need to test the primer(s) with the load to be sure which one works best. When I work up loads if I'm not getting the accuracy I'm thinking the gun can produce I'll test primers after everything else, seating depth, powder, and charge weight.

I've seen great accuracy from CCI-BR2, Federal Gold Match, and Winchester primers, but one usually produces the best accuracy. CCI BR's and Fed. GM's are a close match, Winchester's tend to be a little hotter.
 
If they were 210M or Br-2 i would get those. the ones you are talkiing about a not match primers . problem is, you can not tell even with match primers without shooting/trying them.
 
I use Federal primers for my actual real loads, and for when I'm developing my loads. I use CCI primers for fire-forming brass for my Ackleys. I know some folks my find that sacreligious, but I also only use Alliant RL19 and RL22 for fire-forming, and not for any of my actual loads, due to temp instability.

I'm sure a few folks just had a heart-attack, but that's how I roll. :D
 
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