primers ?

[rebs081]

If you couldn't get CCI # 400 primers what would your next choice be ? I bought the last 1000 primers my local gun shop had today, he said no problem getting more but just in case I would like to know what other brand is good and would be comparable.

[oneyeopn]

I like the CCI #41 5.56 primers, but I just bought a brick of Wolf .223 primers and they seemed to work real well (so far) I also like Winchester SRM primers, I like good hot spark on my rounds.

[JaPes]

All I do is look for the words "small rifle primer" and go for it.

[philevans]

Originally Posted by JaPes

All I do is look for the words "small rifle primer" and go for it.

Me too !
never have been able to discern accuracy differences.

[storeyteller]

I just like to get all the same brand whatever the name on the box is.

[JaPes]

Originally Posted by storeyteller

I just like to get all the same brand whatever the name on the box is.

That does make things easier. The only small rifle primers I have are CCI #400.

If I had to switch, I'll just have to work up a load all over again.

[rebs081]

Originally Posted by JaPes

That does make things easier. The only small rifle primers I have are CCI #400.

If I had to switch, I'll just have to work up a load all over again.

Your right, all I have used in my AR 15 is CCI #400's. I was just looking to see what others are using just in case the LGS happened to be out of CCI 400's ?

[rebs081]

I just got back from the range.
I fired about 80 of my reloads this time with CCI #41 primers instead of my usual CCI #400 primers and I did not see any difference in accuracy, groups, firing pin dent or anything else. Even the little dent from the bolt slamming closed was the same.

[BHarada]

Well, after Grover mentioned his success with Wolf primers I found them at Wideners for $14/1000 (for 5+ packs, $14.50 for 1-4).

I ordered 5K which came out to $112.54 with shipping and hazmat. Now I just need to find my Hornady 55gr FMJBT in stock.

[oneyeopn]

You know other than Remington Bench Rest Small Rifle primers I have never been able to tell the difference between what primer I use. I really do believe if I were a competitive shooter I might be able to but I havent so far. I like the CCI #41's but that could be because it says 5.56 on the box. I have used whatever I could get my hands on. I still have 2 flats of #41's but have been using the Wolf 223 brand primers now. I bought 1k of them and am down to about 300 and have not been able to tell any difference. I have shot mixed lots of Wolf's, 400's and 41's and they all shot to the same place. I am going to buy some more Wolfs from Wideners but in January we are going to Powder Valley to pick up an 8lb jug of CFE223 and they have Tula 223's for $20.50 and I thought I would pick up a brick of those, mostly just to find out for myself what they do. If the government would start regulating reloading components I would like to know that whatever I can get my hands on will work for my hunting loads. And thanks Bill for telling me about Wideners!!

[Cdog]

The 41's and 450's are recommended for most service rifle apps I've read about. They're harder to prevent slam fires with the floating firing pin and designed a bit tougher for higher pressures some loads work at in 5.56.

I've been using the Wolf too. They offer two different types too. One's a standard small rifle while the other is marketed for service rifle apps.

[oneyeopn]

I think the wolf for service rifle apps is the Wolf 223 primer. Is that correct?

[Cdog]

Originally Posted by oneyeopn

I think the wolf for service rifle apps is the Wolf 223 primer. Is that correct?

That's how I read their less than detailed description too.

[BHarada]

This is the description for the Wolf primers that Wideners has on their site:

SMALL RIFLE MAGNUM PRIMER (part# QQQSRM) - This is the primer we had before for use in the 5.56 loads and hot 223 loads. A thick cup for the higher pressure. We sold a lot of these primers earlier this year. The new lot is brass colored instead of nickel.

SMALL RIFLE 223 (part # QQQSR223) NEW NEW This is the newest primer available in the Wolf line. It is ever so slightly hotter than the small rifle magnum primer and it comes with a brass or copper colored thick cup. This primer can be used in place of the SRM primer or used when a different powder is used that is hard to ignite.

I ordered 5K of the QQQSRM, which is now out of stock. But they still have the QQQSR223.

[oneyeopn]

Originally Posted by BHarada

This is the description for the Wolf primers that Wideners has on their site:

SMALL RIFLE MAGNUM PRIMER (part# QQQSRM) - This is the primer we had before for use in the 5.56 loads and hot 223 loads. A thick cup for the higher pressure. We sold a lot of these primers earlier this year. The new lot is brass colored instead of nickel.

SMALL RIFLE 223 (part # QQQSR223) NEW NEW This is the newest primer available in the Wolf line. It is ever so slightly hotter than the small rifle magnum primer and it comes with a brass or copper colored thick cup. This primer can be used in place of the SRM primer or used when a different powder is used that is hard to ignite.

I ordered 5K of the QQQSRM, which is now out of stock. But they still have the QQQSR223.

those primers look like they will do the trick. Is the surplus powder you use hard to ignite? I thought it was funny that all 3 of the primer types are the same price....the other brands do not do that. Tula is now making a 223 primer also and it is a little cheaper than some of their other primers. but they are the same price as the Small Rifle Magnums

[rebs081]

I only load 223 and no 5.56 so I believe I am going to stick with the CCI #400 primer. I tried the CCI #41 and found no difference.

[BHarada]

Originally Posted by oneyeopn

those primers look like they will do the trick. Is the surplus powder you use hard to ignite?

I haven't noticed any powder residue so I don't think so. I'm just wondering what the effect of using a magnum primer will have in my existing load. Should I back it down a bit and work back up?


-Bill

[oneyeopn]

I havent found the primers making any difference in my loads. You can load a test group and see how it performs. After shooting the Hornady BTFMJ today I can totally see what you meant by the accuracy they have. They are as accurate at 100 yards or lower as anything I have loaded. The ones I shot today were loaded with 27.4gr of CE223 and the Wolf 223 primers. All of the brands of 55gr bullets that I shot today had that load under them only some had #400, #41 and the Wolf Primers. every bullet struck where I was aiming at. I shot V-max, Z-max, and BTFMJ's by Hornady and then I also shot Nosler Varmageddons and Varmint Nightmare Extremes which are also Nosler Varmageddon HP's. I also shot a magazine (18) of 53gr V-Max and they shot 1/2" higher than the 55gr bullets but still accurate enough for 1 minute of prairie dog. I am not sure what a person would have to be shooting and what distance for the primer differences to be noticeable but I havent seen it yet.

[BHarada]

Good to hear, although it may be a while before the Wolf primers get into rotation.


-Bill

[Az Rick]

There's not alot of difference in brands of primers unless you bench rest shoot. They are pretty much the same, go bang, ignite powder.

I don't know about foreign stuff, don't use it. The only primers I resist are Federal. They are good but way over packaged, three times the size of others and their plastic trays are wrong, you can't just flip 100 over and get them all to land on a flip tray.

I hope someone from Federal reads this. What were they thinking?

Best, Rick