Im curious on how big of a difference in accuracy one rifle can get by using different brands of primers. I have some Czech Republic Seller Bollet large rifle primers that I been shooting in a .243. Im getting OK accuracy. Im wondering if I switched to a different brand of primer if it would make a big difference? Pretty much im asking if anybody has switched primers on one specific load and seen a big improvement in accuracy. Thanks
Accuracy differences from using different brands of primers
- Thread starter stinnett1981
- Start date
I only been reloading for a short time. I been using Federal match primers for everything and always had great results. I bought some of these Czech Republic primers for a new rifle and havent tried the Federals yet. I didnt know if it would make a big difference or not. Sound like I should try out the Federals too and see if it makes a difference. Thanks!
Hi Stinnett,hi Gambleone
I don't know precisely what to tell you,I have and tested a while ago,but for hunting loads only,those S/B primers you talk about. Honestly,I couldn't see any notable difference in my results,as to accuracy,point of impact,efficiency.I couldn't measure pressure or MV(no chrono),but they seemed quite similar to CCI primers.I suggest you establish a load with them,that works,and try different primers with it,CCI,Federal,Rem,Win,whatever you can come accross,and see for yourself what changes you will get.I'm certain you will notice tangible changes...Good luck,and keep us updated if possible.
I don't know precisely what to tell you,I have and tested a while ago,but for hunting loads only,those S/B primers you talk about. Honestly,I couldn't see any notable difference in my results,as to accuracy,point of impact,efficiency.I couldn't measure pressure or MV(no chrono),but they seemed quite similar to CCI primers.I suggest you establish a load with them,that works,and try different primers with it,CCI,Federal,Rem,Win,whatever you can come accross,and see for yourself what changes you will get.I'm certain you will notice tangible changes...Good luck,and keep us updated if possible.
WyleWD
Silver $$ Contributor
There can be large gains in accuracy to be had by changing from one primer to another. Example, last fall I was trying out a new type bullet in one of my rifles. Best I could do was get it to a 1 1/2 inch group at 100yds. Switched to another type primer with all else the same..... the rounds with the different primer shot into one hole. 
However.... I have other rifles that changing the primer changes nothing that affects accuracy. :-\ Best way for you to find out is to try it in your rifle and let it tell you what it wants. WD
However.... I have other rifles that changing the primer changes nothing that affects accuracy. :-\ Best way for you to find out is to try it in your rifle and let it tell you what it wants.
WDOne thing that shooters often forget is that changing primers can produce significant differences in velocity, just as if the powder charge had been changed. IMO if you really want to see what changing to a different primer is doing, you should compensate with a change in the powder charge that gives the same velocity as the first primer. Of course this will require a chronograph and some testing.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
After doing load development for a new bullet with powders and laddering, I compare final results using CCI match, Federal Match and Russian primer to see if groups improve over one another. I am a huge fan of Federal small rifle match primers, yet have a few loads (in 6ppc, 6br and 30br) that are far and away better with CCI. The Russian primers have found dramatic improvement in .223/.556 but not so much in the others. I initially believed that if, for example, a CCI ran 20f.p.s. faster than a Federal and had better accuracy, I could adjust powder charge to compensate the speed and get the same result using the Federal. Most often, this did not work. As a result, I ALWAYS test primers with a given load as part of load development.
Powder type, amount, bullet weight neck tension etc... can all effect what you will see when changing only the primers in your loads. Please use caution. if your running close to max you may see a spike in pressure. if on top of that your new primer turns out to be a softer primer, You may puncture primers and have issues.
Primers from different manufacturers are not the same. For instance, in a small rifle primer, Winchester is pretty hot while CCI is less hot. Why does this matter?
Different primers actually affect the burn rate of the powder to a noticeable degree. In effect, a hotter primer raises the pressure and temperature of initial powder burn, causing pressure to build more rapidly. A cooler primer does the opposite, a little lower pressure and temperature of the initial powder burn.
It's a matter of coming up with the most optimal match between bullet weight, powder, powder charge, case volume, and primer.
Years back when I had a lot of time on my hands I went through something like 750 loads (bullets, powder and primers) in one rifle. The results were not what I expected, who would have thought that with the modern wonder powders, plain old IMR4198 would be by far the most accurate powder, or that a Winchester small rifle primer would be better than milder primers in this particular instance?
Only way to tell is to try.
Different primers actually affect the burn rate of the powder to a noticeable degree. In effect, a hotter primer raises the pressure and temperature of initial powder burn, causing pressure to build more rapidly. A cooler primer does the opposite, a little lower pressure and temperature of the initial powder burn.
It's a matter of coming up with the most optimal match between bullet weight, powder, powder charge, case volume, and primer.
Years back when I had a lot of time on my hands I went through something like 750 loads (bullets, powder and primers) in one rifle. The results were not what I expected, who would have thought that with the modern wonder powders, plain old IMR4198 would be by far the most accurate powder, or that a Winchester small rifle primer would be better than milder primers in this particular instance?
Only way to tell is to try.
Yep, too often I see fellows coming to the internet for specific load information, seemingly thinking that someone can tell them what the best load will be for their rifle and conditions. My .222 bench rifle was an example of what you said. All of the literature says that 748 is too slow, and that 322 is one of the best powders for 52 grain match bullets. Contrary to that, my rifle was able to reach 3,250 with 748 behind 52 grain match bullets, with a zero freebore chamber, and I never was able to get great accuracy from 322. Go figure. I sorted this out, loading at the range, on my first trip. I have seen friends spend months going back and forth flogging a dead horse, trying to make a powder that they had an eight pounder of, but their rifle obviously did not like, shoot. Don't try harder. Try different.
Seriously, I think that most of us have been there at one time or the other. Thanks for sharing.
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