Small Pistol Primers CCI 500 vs Fed 100

forestswin

forestswin

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I ran out of CCI 500 primers for my S&W 686 .357. Local gun stores all seem out of them. I was able to get some Fed 100 primers. All my previous load development is for light target loads. I'm curious if and how the holes in the paper will change.

Nevada Ed posted an interesting picture of identical loads for 158 gn LRN with different primers CCI 500 and Federal 100 (http://oi47.tinypic.com/5zmmxc.jpg) thanks Nevada - I really like pictures! worth a thousand words

Should I expect to need to adjust loads some for good groups?
 
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Are you shooting off hand, with a rest, irons, scope? What are your normal groups like and at what range?

For someone like me, I'd never notice a difference. For someone like Doc, well, he'd likely find a difference in the grouping. I'm just not at that level. Are you? If not (be realistic) then you'll be fine. If you are at that point, you may need to re-work your charge. Or you may be pleasantly surprised to see the groups tighten! Only shooting them will tell for sure.
 
NEVERMIND

OKay - Ignore the post

Considering Rule 3's post : CAUGHT AND GUILTY AS CHARGED

I did GOOGLE the topic before posting it here - saw ruger forum and it discussed on other forums- but I don't know those guys - I wanted info from guys here that I've learned to trust.

Well googled it again, different phrasing and guess what - google sent me back here to a thread Steve in Vermont started back in Feb of 2011

I got my answer - saw some names I know. thanks to those via the Way back Machine!!
 
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tappedandtagged said:
Are you shooting off hand, with a rest, irons, scope? What are your normal groups like and at what range?

For someone like me, I'd never notice a difference. For someone like Doc, well, he'd likely find a difference in the grouping. I'm just not at that level. Are you? If not (be realistic) then you'll be fine. If you are at that point, you may need to re-work your charge. Or you may be pleasantly surprised to see the groups tighten! Only shooting them will tell for sure.
Click to expand...

tapped - No I'm not at that level either - I shoot on a rest, at 25 yards with scope for load development - I have one good load that groups about an inch every time, still on the rest.
I'm practicing with that load offhand - so I know any misses are all me
I'm hoping that load doesn't need much changing - but I would expect some change
Yeah - I'll go up and down some on the load and I'll see what happens when I get to shoot them - its all fun!
 
If they have small rifle primers, just use those instead. They work just as well as small pistol primers. I would not use SR primers for smaller calibers such as .32 or .380, as the weaker firing pin springs may not produce 100% reliability. But in my revolvers, SR primers work just fine in .32-20, .38 S&W/S&W Special, and .357 (also with my GM in .38 Super). Right now, if you don't have a stockpile you have to take what you can find.
 
I just bought 3,000 Federal 100's because after going to 4 gun shops they were the only small pistol primers available. I'm sure they'll be fine for plinking.
 
Not quite on topic but I have switched to Federal primers as they are easily ignited and work well with some older Smiths that have weak mainsprings and with some new frame mount fireing pins that have had unreliable ignition with other brand primers.
 
A change of primers will change the group sizes on some loads,but not others.Try them and see what happens.
 
I doubt you will see much of a difference between the CCI500 and Federal 100 primers when loading light target ammo. I have never heard anyone complain about Federal primers not producing accurate ammo. Many target shooters use Federal primers because they have handguns that were worked on but they wouldn't use them if the ammo was not accurate.
 
I prefer CCI primers for their hard body. I've had a lot of Federal primers ruined during seating in cases with tight primer pockets such as PPU and GFL headstamp .38 Special.

Federal primers are very good and their softer body permits reliable ignition with lighter mainsprings.

I have not seen a CCI small pistol primer at any gun shop within 100 miles of my house since the end of September.
Went looking for Federal and now there are none of those either. Very glad I'm not out of stock completely, but I need to get more one of these days!
 
I can't recommend using anything but small pistol for small pistols apps.

I read post concerning using small rifle instead and I can't help but wonder why? Even if I did do it myself I wouldn't suggest someone else go out of spec on any load data.

For the "Average Joe" at normal handgun distances you not note any real performance differences between the two brands.

I will state that Federal's packaging is ridiculously large. I'll buy any brand over the Federal for that reason only.

As above, the Feds are also soft compared with others. It can be a plus for some and an aggravation for others.
 
forestswin said:
OKay - Ignore the post

Considering Rule 3's post : CAUGHT AND GUILTY AS CHARGED

I did GOOGLE the topic before posting it here - saw ruger forum and it discussed on other forums- but I don't know those guys - I wanted info from guys here that I've learned to trust.

Well googled it again, different phrasing and guess what - google sent me back here to a thread Steve in Vermont started back in Feb of 2011

I got my answer - saw some names I know. thanks to those via the Way back Machine!!
Click to expand...

Since February 2011 I've loaded thousands of rounds with both CCI and Federal. I have some old handguns that didn't like the CCI's in DA but did fire in SA. The Federals worked both ways, never a FTF. I reload exclusively with Federal now for this reason, and they are easier to seat, even with the RCBS Automatic Primer (arthritis in my hands is an issue when reloading hundreds of rounds). Sidenote: In November I renewed my stock for next year, I noticed that now all brands are very hard to find.
 
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