Remington 6 1/2 Small Rifle Primers in AR

[kbm6893]

This forum has taught me a lot about reloading. It was invaluable when I started back in 2013. My reloading practices are so basic. Find what works and stick with it. I've loaded probably 1500 cases with non magnum primers, half CCI and half Federal. The ones I have shot so far have fired no problem. I mistakenly bought the CCI 450 magnum primers but now I find they're recommended for AR so I'll try to stick to those from now on. In these days of primer drought craziness we can't be picky but I have ruled out using the 6 1/2 Remington. Just goes against my whole "stick with what's safe" philosophy. Slam fires, pierced primers, damaged bolt and firing pin, maybe ok for pistol maybe not. Who needs the hassle? They'll sit in the cabinet until I can find a way to trade or sell them. They'd already be on GB if it wasn't such a hassle and expense shipping them.

 

[BC38]

Just because you don't know what you're talking about doesn't mean I'm as clueless.
There's a difference between a dimple and a slam fire. If you understood how the bolt rotates on an AR15, you would know that it is very unlikely for a slam fire to happen. Zillions of non-magnum primers are used in reloads for AR's with nary a problem. The only real problem is pierced primers with hot loads as that will erode the firing pin.

Like I said earlier, there are a lot of myths about primers in ARs.

Well you sure put me in my place

That is why I specifically referenced info from the primer manufacturers. I figure they know more than I do. Unlike you I don't know it all, and I have no problem admitting it.

Forgive me for taking your inquiry about slam-fires as a serious question. I see now it was just a troll for an opportunity to start an argument so you could show us all how much smarter than everyone else you really are. Including the folks like CCI who manufacture primers and ammo. My bad, not a mistake I'll make again.

If a factory loaded round with the proper thick-cupped primer exhibits a "dimple", it stands to reason that a primer with a thinner cup will show an even deeper dimple. Deep enough to fire? Maybe, maybe not. Most people don't want to find out the hard way. That whole "safety" thing.

The fact that you say it is "very unlikely" rather than "impossible" is a tacit admission that it can happen. It is very unlikely that I will ever have to defend myself with a firearm, but I carry one every day anyway. I have fire extinguishers and a spare tire too - even though it is "very unlikely" that I will need them.

If the primer manufacturers caution against using regular primers for AR rounds, I am just ignorant enough to believe them and follow that recommendation. Just like following the other recommendations in all the other published reloading data I use.

I guess I'm kinda stoopid that way

 

[mstuhr]

Small rifle primers in pistol

Hi BC38,
Back in the early to mid 90's during some politically induced primer/ ammo shortage I worked for a company that had a chemical contract with Winchester Western.
I was loading a lot and I got to the point where I was going to have to quit competition due to the lack of small pistol primers.
I cornered their sales rep, made my case to him and was rewarded with the ability to purchase 10,000 small rifle primers as "The best I can do" says he.
We were loading 38 supers to the old 200 major power factor and I burned them all up in hot supers and mild 38 special Bianchi cup loads.
I can't say they are safe in every application, but from hot supers to midrange 38 special loads covers a lot of range.
I do remember there was very little difference on the chrono in FPS pistol between pistol primer and rifle primer loads.
The revolver main spring had to be sprung a little heavier due to harder primer cups.
As someone who has done it before, I would do it again if I had to and not feel bad about it
Good luck to you