Comparing The Physical Properties of SPP

[blujax01]

Just for fun, I weighed and measured 10 each Federal #100, CCI #500, Winchester WSP and Remington 1-1/2 primers. Results follow:


Weight from lightest to heaviest:

WSP = 3.06 grains (range 3.0-3.1)
1-1/2 = 3.15 grains (range 3.1-3.2)
#500 = 3.27 grains (range 3.2-3.3)
#100 = 3.46 grains (range 3.4-3.5)

Diameter from smallest to largest:

#100 = 0.1742 (range 0.1740-0.1745)
WSP, 1-1/2, #500 = 0.1745 (range 0.1745-0.1745)

Height from shortest to tallest:

WSP = 0.1170 (range 0.1155-0.1180)
#100 = 0.1170 (range 0.1155-0.1185)
#500 = 0.1176 (range 0.1165-0.1190)
1-1/2 = 0.1215 (range 0.1195-0.1230)

I do not know what this means other than that I have too much time on my hands!

[Rule3]

You must now watch:

Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands - YouTube

[125JHP]

Welcome to the club...
I have done exactly the same thing and keep a spreadsheet with data on different brands of primers, cases and bullets. And since I measure at least 10-20 of each, I also calc the Std.Dev and ES figures to see how consistent the Mfg is.

now where did I stick those headphones...

[tappedandtagged]

Man and I thought I had too much time by undertaking loading 2k .223 rounds with a single stage press. I guess I'm looking pretty good now!

[blujax01]

If having a 0.0003" smaller diameter is relevant it does lend some credence to those folks who say Federal is easier to seat in tight 9mm pockets.

Maybe if I were to measure the curvature of the bevelled edge...

[125JHP]

These are the types of tasks I do with my morning coffee (about 4:30~6am) while I'm trying to decide what trouble to get into that day. It helps me feel like I accomplished something for the day and can play or waste the rest of the day without feeling guilty.

Sometimes it seems like useful data, like mentioned above, when trying to figure out why something doesn't work so well.

It also helps when selecting a component to use, like when loading S&B brass with tight pockets I will select what I think is a smaller dia. primer but if it is FC brass which I find to have slightly looser pockets, I will see what I have on hand that is slightly larger in size. Those .0003" do come in handy at times - if they were consistent by brand.

Another example, when I sliced 15 different brands of .45 cases to measure the dim differences I ran into one head stamp (nny which I believe is Prvy Partizan) where all the primer pockets were .128" deep instead of the customary .119" +/- . That puzzled me why until i realized they must be using LR primers or LP of the same height to cut down on inventory, production or manufacturing costs. So now when I see a .45 with nny head stamp I chuck it in the recycle box.

In comparing my data with the above I find it generally agrees but have differences in the 4th decimal place and the weight, so it shows the folly of putting too much faith in the numbers at that level. Lot to Lot differences plus the different measuring equipment and methods we use as hobbyists are sometimes not precise enough.

But it is fun and we get to listen to age-related music once in a while.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by 125JHP

...
Another example, when I sliced 15 different brands of .45 cases to measure the dim differences ...

I bow at the feet of the Master...

[125JHP]

There will come a day, grasshopper.....