duckloads
Member
I've used a couple thou CCI primers without any trouble. Has anybody switched to Wolf primers and can comment? Accuracy, ignitablity, etc.
thanks
thanks
CCI vs. Wolf primers
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FrankD45
Absent Comrade
I tried them recently in 45 ACP and 38 Special. I haven't run them through a chrony yet so I can't speak to measured performance however, I can tell you that any difference in performance is not visible to the naked eye. I can also tell you that the Wolf primers appear to be softer than the Winchesters that I normally use. My shooting buddies tell me that they are as soft or softer than Federals and much softer than Winchester and CCI. I did compare them in a 38 snub that has had some trigger work done on it. I experienced several FTF when firing DA with the Winchester primers but have sent about 200 with Wolf primers down range without a problem. Just to prove to myself that they were different I loaded a cylinder of WSP's immediatly after firing 50 Wolf primed rounds and had 2 of 5 FTF.
I hope that helps,
Frank
I hope that helps,
Frank
RidgwayCO
Member
(This is a re-post from another forum)
I recently purchased some Wolf large pistol primers from Powder Valley, and wanted to test them versus my normal CCI 300 primers.
I chose a .44 Special round that has been good for me, consisting of a 185gr LSWC bullet loaded over 6.9gr of Unique (.82cc Lee Pro Auto-Disk cavity) in Winchester brass to a COL of 1.465" with a moderate crimp from a Lee FCD over the front driving band (this bullet doesn't have a crimping groove). The test gun was a S&W 624 with a 4" barrel. 25 rounds were loaded with each primer, alternating them though the Lee Classic Cast Turret to make things as even as possible.
The CCI 300 numbers for 25 rounds were:
Avg - 890 fps, ES - 98, SD - 21
The Wolf LP numbers for 25 rounds were:
Avg - 903 fps, ES - 67, SD - 19
Not eye-popping numbers, but normal for me when using Unique. Every round went bang, with no primer failures.
I'll probably try this test again with Titegroup and an Oregon Trail 200gr LRNFP bullet and see how they fare. So far, I'm impressed with the Wolf large pistol primers. They seat with just a touch more effort than the CCI 300 primers (RCBS hand priming tool), but it's barely noticeable.
I recently purchased some Wolf large pistol primers from Powder Valley, and wanted to test them versus my normal CCI 300 primers.
I chose a .44 Special round that has been good for me, consisting of a 185gr LSWC bullet loaded over 6.9gr of Unique (.82cc Lee Pro Auto-Disk cavity) in Winchester brass to a COL of 1.465" with a moderate crimp from a Lee FCD over the front driving band (this bullet doesn't have a crimping groove). The test gun was a S&W 624 with a 4" barrel. 25 rounds were loaded with each primer, alternating them though the Lee Classic Cast Turret to make things as even as possible.
The CCI 300 numbers for 25 rounds were:
Avg - 890 fps, ES - 98, SD - 21
The Wolf LP numbers for 25 rounds were:
Avg - 903 fps, ES - 67, SD - 19
Not eye-popping numbers, but normal for me when using Unique. Every round went bang, with no primer failures.
I'll probably try this test again with Titegroup and an Oregon Trail 200gr LRNFP bullet and see how they fare. So far, I'm impressed with the Wolf large pistol primers. They seat with just a touch more effort than the CCI 300 primers (RCBS hand priming tool), but it's barely noticeable.
31 Pump
Member
I just looked at the Powder Valley website and Wolf primers are $19 / 1000. Looks like a bargain if you buy enough stuff to justify the $20 Hazmat fee.
Glenn
Glenn
Powder valley seems to have great prices. My local Gander Mt. is to expensive. Occosionally, I go to a town where they have a Sportsman's Wharehouse. They have good prices, but there selection sucks. They have one great big empty shelf, and that's at three different stores in two states.
Thanks for the Wolf primer info.
Thanks for the Wolf primer info.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I am on my second 5000 Wolf Large Pistol primers. I have used them in the small pistol variety as well. Not one single problem. Every time the hammer falls, they go bang. I got mine for $18 something/1000 from Widner's. The first 10,000 my wife picked up when she was taking my daughter back to school in the southern part of Missouri. It was a 3hr detour for her that cost an excess of $20 to drive. Guess what I did the next time I needed primers? I ordered them through the mail!
If you are worried about the hazmat fee, try to spread it out over a bunch of primers. You can get up to 40,000 of them for one hazmat fee. Get your friends together and make one big order. Everybody pays the correct percentage of the extra $20 and you get primers for $18.50 or $19/1000 and you still come out on top.
One thing though. If you are going to load magnum loads you will need their magnum primers. I have noticed this with Federal's too. With powders like 2400 and Lil' Gun you need hotter primers. If you check them across a chronograph you will see why. The ES will be extreme and so will the SD.
FWIW.
If you are worried about the hazmat fee, try to spread it out over a bunch of primers. You can get up to 40,000 of them for one hazmat fee. Get your friends together and make one big order. Everybody pays the correct percentage of the extra $20 and you get primers for $18.50 or $19/1000 and you still come out on top.
One thing though. If you are going to load magnum loads you will need their magnum primers. I have noticed this with Federal's too. With powders like 2400 and Lil' Gun you need hotter primers. If you check them across a chronograph you will see why. The ES will be extreme and so will the SD.
FWIW.
MrPhil
Member
What Skip says.
I can second FrankD's report that they are more sensitive than Winchester WLP and WSP. I have a 625 and 686 that will not reliably ignite Winchester primers in DA. They, so far, have been 100% with Wolf.
When first using Wolf Large Pistol I noted they were a litter harder to seat. I measured a bunch of them and found they are .001 larger OD than Winchester. They are also about .0005 thinner; high primers are not a problem.
I have refused to pay for Federal Primers and found my Dillon Square Deals don't like CCI, so I cannot compare to those.
I can second FrankD's report that they are more sensitive than Winchester WLP and WSP. I have a 625 and 686 that will not reliably ignite Winchester primers in DA. They, so far, have been 100% with Wolf.
When first using Wolf Large Pistol I noted they were a litter harder to seat. I measured a bunch of them and found they are .001 larger OD than Winchester. They are also about .0005 thinner; high primers are not a problem.
I have refused to pay for Federal Primers and found my Dillon Square Deals don't like CCI, so I cannot compare to those.
29aholic
Member
Well I hope the Wolf are good. After reading this thread I realized I am low on LP primers (down to about 3-4000) so I ordered 5000 from Powder Valley.
RickV
Member
I getting ready to place a order with Powder Valley with some buddies of mine. I saw the Wolf Primers lower price versus the price on the Remington Primers (only other primers they have in stock for SP). So I did some checking on the Wolf's and found out as MrPhil posted above the are slightly larger then other brands. I like the price but, I reuse my brass and not sure if using the Wolf's would make my brass unusable with other primers in the future. Will using the Wolf's enlarge the primer pockets to the point were other brands not seat tight enough? Also I use a Lee Pro 1000 loader will I have issues inserting the Wolf primers?
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Rick,
The primers don't affect the brass.
Don't you have issues with the Pro 1000 already?
The primers don't affect the brass.
Don't you have issues with the Pro 1000 already?
RickV
Member
No issues with the Pro does a good job especially once I got a feel for primer seating. Just thought that the primer might enlarge the pocket.
Hurricane
Member
I've found Wolf primers to be a bit harder than Federal's. I shoot double action primarily and have lightened the actions so that Federal's are the only primers that will ignite every time. I use the Wolf primers on bottom feeders and revolvers that aren't as heavily modified as I find them better than Winchester. I gave up on CCI's many years ago when I got my Dillon press.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I have a M686 that has been worked on. It will fire Federals 100% of the time. It will not fire Winchesters all of the time but with the Wolf's I get 100% ignition.
If worse comes to worse I will put a spent primer cup on the strain screw and use the cheaper primers, although, I don't have one that is that light.
My M625 -8 has problems with Winchesters too. I put the spent primer in it and with the Wolf I get 100% ignition.
With the increased cost of the Federals and how hard they are to get at times, the Wolf's seem to be a great answer for me!
I have started to use the Wolf primer in my 45ACP,45Colt,44Spec and 44Mag. All with cast bullets and what I would call mid-range loads.
ACP-5.0 of 231 200 SWC
Colt 7.0 of Unique 255 SWC
Special 6.7 of Unique 240 and 250SWC
Mag 8.0 of Unique 240 and 250SWC
All loads equaled(group size) what I got with Winchester primers and my aging eyes.
So that way I am happy. However I did notice that the Wolf primer does flatten out somewhat giving the impression of higher pressure.
Has anyone else who uses these noticed this?
ACP-5.0 of 231 200 SWC
Colt 7.0 of Unique 255 SWC
Special 6.7 of Unique 240 and 250SWC
Mag 8.0 of Unique 240 and 250SWC
All loads equaled(group size) what I got with Winchester primers and my aging eyes.
So that way I am happy. However I did notice that the Wolf primer does flatten out somewhat giving the impression of higher pressure.
Has anyone else who uses these noticed this?
Bullseye Smith
Member
You get what you pay for, Federal is #1, CCI is #2 and it goes down hill from there.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Not always John. Being a member of LU153 I know different. Sometimes you get a Journeyman worth scale and sometimes you get one that you have to pay scale! (Sometimes some even get more than scale!
In this case, primers, there is such a thing as value. Getting the same quality for much less money. Wolf primers fit that category.
RickV
Member
I sure hope the Wolf's are good I ordered 5000 SP and ordered 5000 LP for a buddy today from Powder Valley.
