federal primers

[cracker57]

after years of reloading I have used federal SPP for the first time on some 45s. It5 seemed as these federal primers seating very easy (scary easy) are federal primers a tad smaller, is this normal for them. Also this is some small primer 45 brass just purchased from a new to me vender.
Will be at the range to shoot a few today, bet I flinch on the first couple rounds due to the unknown.

Thanks

 

[505Gibbs]

You don't specify if the brass is new or cleaned up range brass or the brand of the brass. If new, its possible the pockets are on the large size. Without measuring carefully its difficult to know. IMO

 

[RussellD]

You will be fine. Federal makes great primers.

 

[typetwelve]

I really like federal primers, run them exclusively in my tuned 38 special loads as my trigger job on my 627 is rather light. I've run 1000's of them, never had an issue.

 

[cracker57]

it is range brass, different head stamps doesn't seem to matter whos stamp they all seat super easy...

 

[AJ]

Try them, you will like them.

 

[Alton]

I wish they used the same package as CCI. I hate pouring them out and then flipping them on a primer tray.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I don't like Federal solely because of the packaging. There is nothing wrong with the primers. Mostly I use Winchester for the same reason Alton likes the CCI.

 

[H Richard]

You will find Federal is precision fit primers, and slightly more sensitive to accommodate tuned triggers. You will find many many of the finest marksman use Federal primers due to the consistency which relates to better accuracy.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I use cci mainly [nowadays you buy what you can find or afford] but I have bought Federal primers on purpose as they are considered the softest. This may be what you are feeling too. I have a Mannlicher 1905 7.63/7.65 Argentine automatic that has to have the weakest hammer spring ever designed so I need the soft primer to get good ignition.

 

[cracker57]

Their packaging is why I have never used them before, but I found 1000 last week, the only primers on the shelve out the door for $50.00 bucks

 

[jimbo728]

Have you tried them in .38, .357, or 9mm to see if they have the same issue that you have described?
Jim

 

[Doug44]

Yep federal seat raiser.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Unless you can blow them out with your lips before your eyes pop out, you'll be fine..

 

[oysterer]

If you can't find any, don't buy them.

 

[BC38]

From what I have read Federal primer cups are made from slightly softer or thinner material, which makes them slightly easier to ignite. That makes them work better with lightened springs in tuned actions.

Theoretically, that is also why their packaging is larger with more space between each primer in the package - to reduce the possibility of them chain-firing if one is accidentally ignited in the package.

Or so I have read.

 

[nbedford]

Lee strongly advised against using them in the Auto Prime.

 

[BillBro]

Great primers but yes, I too dislike their packaging. They're all I use in the 44mags, well, those and Winchester, or Remington 2 1/2 and....

Seriously, they're great primers but I think they're definitely softer than say CCI. I too think they tend to seat real easy and I thought just like you did, that they must be a little smaller than others. Maybe so because they are a little softer/sensitive than most other brands.
Last year right before the insanity hit us I bought 10K from my favorite GB seller and was really happy I did.

 

[Jack Flash]

Not to hijack the thread, but this is closely related:
If Federals are the softest, what's the hardest?
Better still, does anyone have a chart ranking all makes of primers from softest to hardest?