Primer Question

misterc01 said:
I accidentally bought a box (1000) of Federal Large Rifle Magnum Primers (215M) instead of just regular 210 M Federal Match Primers.

The question: Can I use the Magnum primers, and if so, what do I need to change? "Someone" wrote "Yes, if you back off X grains of powder." Anyone have an actual workable answer or should I just try to sell them? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Primers come in different strengths known as brisance, meaning " the shattering effect of a high explosive". Primer strength depends on the length of the flame that erupts through the flash hole, ( that's why deburring and uniforming flash holes is a good thing). Primers designated for magnum use have more Brisance. To work up a load using them for "non magnum" calibers I would think would be tedious at best. Maybe Load Data has some records. If you are adventurous and fearless, go ahead.
What Mtwarych wrote makes sense as a first option. If that is exhausted , I would put 'em away for future use. And there are probably a whole bunch of LRH members drooling to trade or buy from you. Then , you may acquire a mag caliber in the future and kick yourself for not saving 'em.
 
Last edited:
Have a buddy 65284 load was worked up with standard primers...shot decent groups...he then backed off a few grains and switched to mag primers.....his rifle now shoots one hole...but he is also jamming lands...24" barrel...2890fps....accuracy rated over speed....
Its science.....results come from trial and error.....
 
more consistent, not hotter. same primer higher quality standard is all.
Mike Matteson said:
I have found that Fed-210 Match are hotter or seem to be, than Fed-210 primers. So be careful of that too. Maybe some have found something different, but that may be me. So theirs lots to reloading in making up a round for your rifle. That's the real fun of it. You can change case, primers, powder, bullets, how you size the case up, seat the bullet. To add a little bit more. The primers does move the bullet first, into the lands, then the power sets in. My final part is what it does to the animal. My standards are, velocity, accuracy, and how it works on the animal I am shooting. I am not what you would call a long range shooter. 500 yds is generally my max.
Click to expand...
 
No harm in using them as long as you work up your loadsI have found using magnum primers in 308,7MM08 and other smaller cartridges to sometimes give you better accuracy and lower SD.I did a lot of experimenting during the Great Primer Shortage era.Huntz
 
Huntz said:
No harm in using them as long as you work up your loadsI have found using magnum primers in 308,7MM08 and other smaller cartridges to sometimes give you better accuracy and lower SD.I did a lot of experimenting during the Great Primer Shortage era.Huntz
Click to expand...
 
let us know how it goes I've heard several people say that magnums get better accuracy back off 3 or 4 grains and see if It gets better with the magnum primers i wanted to try myself but i don't want to order a 1000 just to try them
 
misterc01 said:
I accidentally bought a box (1000) of Federal Large Rifle Magnum Primers (215M) instead of just regular 210 M Federal Match Primers.

The question: Can I use the Magnum primers, and if so, what do I need to change? "Someone" wrote "Yes, if you back off X grains of powder." Anyone have an actual workable answer or should I just try to sell them? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Call federal ask for their input on how much to lower the powder charge
 
I ordered too many small rifle primers and they work good in pistol rounds as well u just have to back off the powder about a half a grain. shot great in a 9mm
 
Noticed that you just joined the LRH web site a couple of months back. Possibly new to reloading? Reloading is an precise science. Change one thing and you change everything. What about changing powder, seating depth,,,,??? ooops, purchased IMR 4350 instead of H 4350, RE 12 vs RE 17 all are same - same right? Hmm, at $35.00 - $45.00+-, does not seem worth the effort and potential problems - dangers. I suggest you don't start out experimenting.
 
Hoppsing55 said:
Noticed that you just joined the LRH web site a couple of months back. Possibly new to reloading? Reloading is an precise science. Change one thing and you change everything. What about changing powder, seating depth,,,,??? ooops, purchased IMR 4350 instead of H 4350, RE 12 vs RE 17 all are same - same right? Hmm, at $35.00 - $45.00+-, does not seem worth the effort and potential problems - dangers. I suggest you don't start out experimenting.
Click to expand...
H4350 is not the same as IMR 4350. Burn rates are different. IMR 4350 changes as weather or heat goes up or down far more than H4350. I changed to H 4350 a great many years ago. At time it's very hard to purchase the powder.
 
Mike Matteson said:
H4350 is not the same as IMR 4350. Burn rates are different. IMR 4350 changes as weather or heat goes up or down far more than H4350. I changed to H 4350 a great many years ago. At time it's very hard to purchase the powder.
Click to expand...
Yes Thanks Mike. Agreed. My comment was posed as a cautionary question - statement that, one should not deviate from "qualified professional" load formula's. Things may seem similar, but again, changing one thing can change everything,,, and not always for the better.

Further to the original question, A few years back, A-Squared did a test of various primers and the results showed how different primers can alter - increase pressure by a considerable amount. https://www.chuckhawks.com/primers.htm
 
I did the same thing for my 280 AI, meant to buy Fed 210 and got Fed 215. I posted on it and several said they preferred it to the 210. Did some load development with a few showing promise, one being Retumbo, but getting decent SD/ES seemed more difficult (could just be me with the new cartridge though). I went ahead and picked up a bunch of Fed 210 and plan on starting over. Most of the suggested loads are with the 210's so I'll be working those soon.
 
Many moons ago I was working up a sheep hunting load for my sheep hunting to be son in one of the original Rem 600 in 308. By mistake I used some Fed 215's rather than 210's for as I recall IMR 4350. Much to my surprise I noticed that the accuracy INCREASED by a good .5 MOA which proved to be real on several retests. He went on to shoot his first Dall (a 40 incher to boot) that hunting season. He was 13 yo at the time.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 4 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

Cnkhunting
Primer question
Replies
3
Views
377
Seabeeken
Seabeeken
YZ-80
Primer Question
2 3
Replies
31
Views
3K
Roninco
R
T
Primer question
Replies
7
Views
1K
Tex Hancock
T
SkipB
Primer Question
Replies
4
Views
1K
skerk
S
K
Primer question
Replies
5
Views
929
sedancowboy
sedancowboy

Recent Posts

Top