Need Advice on Primers

[Bang4theBuck]

I recently found the bottom of a box of BR2 primers which I have been using religiously for a couple of years in my 308 and 6.5 CM. I have a sub 1/2 load worked up for the 6.5, with a powder that has been very scarce of late (H4350). I have yet to find a load for my 308 that I am proud of. The rifle is definitely capable of better than I have seen out of it with my reloads. I have always used BR2 primers, and was considering trying something different with the Varget powder that I have for the 308. Can anyone give me an education on the differences between primers brands and at what point in the development should I be trying different things with primers.

Also, is it reasonable to expect that I can use the same primer for the 6.5 and the 308? or will they have to be developed completely independently?

I've been doing this quite a while, with decent success, but have never experimented with primer types. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[g0rd0]

it has been my experience that like powders and projectiles primers also can be good or bad for any rifle. Take the most accurate reload that you have so far for your 308 and use different primers with the same load. But, stay away from mag primers with small and medium capacity cases. As a mag primer can jump your psi to and above max limits. In 308 I have always had good results with cci std primer with imr4064 and rl19

 

[Bang4theBuck]

Thanks gordo. That fits well with my current scenario as I am out of primers, so I can go purchase a couple of different types in small quantities until I find what the rifle likes. Not to change the subject, but how would you rate the temperature sensitivity of the two powders that you mentioned?

 

[J E Custom]

I recently found the bottom of a box of BR2 primers which I have been using religiously for a couple of years in my 308 and 6.5 CM. I have a sub 1/2 load worked up for the 6.5, with a powder that has been very scarce of late (H4350). I have yet to find a load for my 308 that I am proud of. The rifle is definitely capable of better than I have seen out of it with my reloads. I have always used BR2 primers, and was considering trying something different with the Varget powder that I have for the 308. Can anyone give me an education on the differences between primers brands and at what point in the development should I be trying different things with primers.

Also, is it reasonable to expect that I can use the same primer for the 6.5 and the 308? or will they have to be developed completely independently?



I've been doing this quite a while, with decent success, but have never experimented with primer types. Any advice would be welcome.

There are lots of powders for the 308 win that work well. while match shooting with the 308 many competitors used 4064, 4895, 4320 and IMR 3031. Primers were normally large rifle primers or CCI Br2. The CCI BR 2 is a little hotter than Most other standard large rifle primers.

Here is a brisance chart that shows the heat in relation to other primers. You can see that the CCI Br2 is close to the magnum primers
in the heat department.
http://www.handloads.com/misc/primers.asp
and another = http://www.larrywillis.com/primers.html

So you should try different powders first and then try different primers next, (change one component at a time).

J E CUSTOM

 

[g0rd0]

Thanks gordo. That fits well with my current scenario as I am out of primers, so I can go purchase a couple of different types in small quantities until I find what the rifle likes. Not to change the subject, but how would you rate the temperature sensitivity of the two powders that you mentioned?

I have not noticed temp sensitivity with imr4064, but I have noticed that rl 19, & 22 to be sensitive in the summer. But, to be honest most of my shooting is in the spring and fall (march, april ,may, sept, oct , nov and dec)

 

[Mikecr]

Here is a brisance chart that shows the heat in relation to other primers. You can see that the CCI Br2 is close to the magnum primers in the heat department.

Where is the brisance chart?

 

[J E Custom]

Where is the brisance chart?

Apparently the web page is no longer active that had a very good Brisance measurement.

The link below was done with a pendulum and I am not sure about the accuracy but it is probably a good comparison with all primers tested even though the numbers themselves may be off a little.

http://www.castingstuff.com/primer_testing_reference.htm

I will keep looking for the original that I used for reference.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Bang4theBuck]

this test tells me that I might be best off just staying with the BR2s.

 

[J E Custom]

this test tells me that I might be best off just staying with the BR2s.

The CCI BR2 is a very good primer and The best I have found for 308 Win Based cases (260 Rem, 7/08, 308 and all of the AI versions).

J E CUSTOM

 

[RidgeTop]

I have found W-748 best in a .308.

Which is more important, brisance or duration ?

 

[MagnumManiac]

Best to start your own thread….this is almost 5 years old.

Cheers.