Do you have a favorite brand of primers?

[Preacher Skip]

I have used a ton of different primers. From Magtech to Wolf to Tula to Winchester & CCI along with Remington and Federal.
For handgun loads, as long as I use a magnum for magnum loads and standard for standard loads, I've not seen a big difference between all of these brands.
Well, Federals are needed for a tuned gun, so, I guess there is some difference.

What are your favorites though and why?

 

[robertrwalsh]

I like Winchester, though I have used pretty much all of the others. I have a good source for them at a good price, they go bang when the hammer falls and they work well in my machinery. Plus the large pistol work for both standard and magnum, makes inventory control a bit easier.

 

[ddraper]

I pretty much like Winchester across the board however for a while they were hard to get and I used a lot of Federals.

 

[Cdog]

I too prefer Winchester.

I've not had issues with other brands, it's just the Winchester's seem to be more uniform than some.

 

[gmiller0737]

I have used mostly CCI for the last 30 years with zero issues so I kinda prefer them,I have some Winchester ones too & zero issues on those,Haven't tried Foreign Brands & have no intention of trying them.

 

[mosquito]

I find CCI to be more uniform than Winchesters. In my Dillon RF-100's, CCI's load flawlessly.....while Winchesters, have a lot of issues. This is strictly when using my auto primer filler. As far as function, ignition, velocities etc., I see no difference in any except Federal which have a much softer cup. I have had issues in the past with Federal primer cups getting slightly crushed/distorted when loading them.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I use Federal small or large pistol primers for my revolvers which are tuned for fast double action shooting. I even use Federal 22 LR ammo in my tuned 617s.

For almost all my semiautos, I use CCI primers which seem to be harder than other brands. CCI primers also are more trouble free in my Dillon machines.

I was once almost exclusively a Winchester primer user. But, since they stopped nickel plating their primers and began to have quality issues, I don't buy them.

I've used very few Remington primers since they always seem higher priced than other domestic brands. I've never used foreign made components, but I would if desperate.

Something else worth mentioning is that I have tested Federal small pistol primers against Federal Gold Medal Match Magnum primers and found no difference in chrono results. My results don't constitute scientific proof but I'm comfortable using them interchangeably.

 

[johnnyflake]

If I had to chose a favorite, I'd go with Winchester. I find them to be the easiest to seat, with my equipment. However, like most of you, I have used pretty much all that are available. The last couple of years, when they have all been hard to come by, I found a local B&M that was able to get Armscor Primers. The Large Pistol were and still are costing me $20 per thousand. That's a dam good price. I have been through a few thousand in .45acp & .45 Colt with not one problem!

 

[catadjuster]

I try to use CCI largely because they seem to work best with APS strips. Winchesters will sometimes fall out of the strip, so I wind up using them when I am priming with a hand primer. The reason that I keep Win primers around is that they seem to load better into Win brass.

 

[Chubbs103]

I started out using Winchester. I used those exclusively for a long time. I was happy with them and wasn't interested in adding variables.

When supplies dried up, I could only find Federal around here. Now that primers seem to be back in stock, CCI are cheaper than the rest.

I haven't seen any difference for handgun loads. Now I use whatever is cheapest.

I never ran out of rifle primers, so I haven't had to worry.

Chubbs

 

[Sam Casey]

I usually buy CCI when I have a choice, but right now small pistol primers are very scarce in my area. Looked into buying on line, but small pistol seem scarce most places and the extra shipping cost is just too high.

 

[paragain]

Winchester....but I will use CCI when it's tough to get Winchester's.

 

[retired_diver]

I had always used CCI, but the last few "bricks" of std small pistol primers from them I have had many failure-to-fire (FTF). There was a large primer dent, but no joy. This in my M27, sw9f, M&P9, Ruger sp101. It seems that the cases are the hardest. Which is why the talk of "tuned" guns and using something else besides CCI primers. Federal is the softest, with Winchester next at least in my experience. I tried to find some Federals but every place I looked on line and in stores were out. I did find some Winchesters (bought 5k) loaded them up and have not had a FTF in two outings not changing anything with the guns or with the hand loadings. All that to say I am buying different from now on.

 

[twodog max]

I mostly use CCI but have used a lot of Winchesters. I never found any problems with either. I just bought 5000 Seller and Bellot LP primers because they were a great buy and we will see about those. They have a good reputation.

 

[M1A]

I use a lot of CCI. Pistol & rifle. Kind of standardized on them since using a lot of #34's. I haven't had any trouble with Winchester, or Remington for pistol. Federal is my last choice.

 

[Bkreutz]

I like the ones that go "bang". I don't use Russian primers. Not because of any particular reason, I just don't like using Russian stuff. (isn't this a wonderful country?)

 

[22shtur]

I use Winchester and CCI, I have had no problems with either. I load and shoot 2 thousand of each every year.

 

[O.G.]

Hello everyone !

Any of you expeariance useing pistol primers for rifle ?
Regards
O.g.

 

[Duster340]

CCI lp & sp here, no issues Also use Federal lpm for magnum H110 loads, scored a few thousand when options were limited during "the drought". Also no issues.

 

[alwslate]

I prefer Winchesters and that's mostly what I buy, especially in small
primers. I also really like Remington for low to mid range loads with
LP primers. I get good velocity and low ESs with them in 45AR loads
and 44 magnum mid range loads.