BR primers vs Match primers vs Regular primers

[vbirddogs]

So, what's the difference between these three primers in small rifle. I read that the only difference is that the manufacturer slows down production for the match and BR primers to better ensure better consistency and conformity.

 

[Dave Marshall]

The physical difference is usually just cup thickness/hardness.

From what I understand, all primers are “assembled” by hand. Its just not a process conducive to automation. The premium priced primers are just assembled by more experienced employees.

 

[M-61]

From what I understand, all primers are “assembled” by hand.

I would like some clarification on this. I have never been to a primer manufacturing facility but it just seems to me they would be produced by total automation.

 

[tuttlefarm]

I really doubt that primers are made by hand. The US military uses 1.6 billion rounds per year, or 4,383,561 per day. Now add the 100 million shooters we have in the US. which would likely double that number, for 8 million primers per day.

 

[Tokay444]

It is 100% a process conducive to automation.
Making a lot of something really really fast is exactly what automations is for.

 

[vegas]

I really doubt that primers are made by hand. The US military uses 1.6 billion rounds per year, or 4,383,561 per day. Now add the 100 million shooters we have in the US. which would likely double that number, for 8 million primers per day.

The video I saw recently had them spreading the primer compound manually. So seems like at least a part of the process is manual. I don’t recall which factory it was.

Forum Boss: Yes, this is correct, as shown in CCI video from a few years ago. A big tank with an employee sliding a tool over many primers. Perhaps the process has changed, but I kind of doubt that. The Federal video below shows a similar but more precise process with special trays.

 

[6MMsteve]

I think 1 man can make 17 primers a year

 

[TQB]

This is an old video, but look at 3:45.

 

[ShootDots]

Here is some "food for thought".. I have chrono'ed CCI BR-2s against the CCI 200s>>>>>>ZERO difference in velocity, e.s.s or accuracy. I have NOT done the same thing with Fed 210"GM"s and the Fed 210s>>>but ever since I did the testing with the 200s vs the BR-2s, I don't buy anymore "GM"s and so far there does not appear to be anything lacking. Then you have the CCI BR4s and CCI 450s>>>>a "BenchRest" primer vs a "NON-BenchRest" MAGNUM primer>>>let me hear the chorus of people who would NEVER use a "non-BR" primer, like the 450s instead of the BR-4s>>>oh the silence is deafening!
There are 2 schools of thought here: 1.) certain primers have an affinity for certain powders>>>a case can be made for that; and 2.) you can "build" a load around most any primer>>>>and T-Rust me, a case can be made for that too! So what have you gained by my "observation(s) above? BUY whatever primer you can get your hands on at the moment and BUILD your load around it>>>you will be happy you did! FORGET the ever increasing "value" of monikers!

 

[dkhunt14]

I really doubt that primers are made by hand. The US military uses 1.6 billion rounds per year, or 4,383,561 per day. Now add the 100 million shooters we have in the US. which would likely double that number, for 8 million primers per day.

Go watch the videos of primers being made. You might be surprised. Matt

 

[butchlambert]

I've posted this a few times in the past. The Federal folks told us years ago that the only difference in the regular Federal primers and the match primers were an extra visual inspection.
They are the same otherwise.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I really doubt that primers are made by hand. The US military uses 1.6 billion rounds per year, or 4,383,561 per day. Now add the 100 million shooters we have in the US. which would likely double that number, for 8 million primers per day.

Everything I've seen says they are produced in a tray of about 10,000 primers at a time (grid 100x100). The priming compound is spread into the cups sort of like a silk screen printing process. The anvils are then deposited from another 100x100 tray. The trays of primers are sent to drying rooms to cure. So, the process is not 100% either hand or machine, rather it's a combination.

 

[tuttlefarm]

Go watch the videos of primers being made. You might be surprised. Matt

https://www.outdoorlife.com/cartridge-primer-technology-developments/

Some are also being done by machine as the primer mix stays wet

 

[Dave Marshall]

These videos show what I was trying to describe in my earlier post.

Primer cups and anvils are basically filled by hand in big trays, they don’t get spit out of a machine with no one really watching.

 

[Baka]

I have found that by switching to a br450 from a br4 primer I had to back my powder charge off 2 tenths of a grain to get the extractor mark to go away. So in my simple mind the br450 was a tad hotter.

 

[LHSmith]

I have found that by switching to a br450 from a br4 primer I had to back my powder charge off 2 tenths of a grain to get the extractor mark to go away. So in my simple mind the br450 was a tad hotter.

OR was a lot to lot variation?

 

[Baka]

OR was a lot to lot variation?

No idea just what happened.

 

[6fatrat]

Let your chronograph tell you which lot of primers is has the lowest SD.
Steve Bair

 

[Laurie]

OR was a lot to lot variation?

You beat me to that comment. Over the years, I've had some lots of BR-4 produce considerably higher MVs than the 450 in 223 with heavies, and with other lots, it's vice versa. SR primers in particular seem to vary considerably by production lot.

 

[INTJ]

BR or match primers are a little more consistent. When I weigh BR4s I will get three sorts: 3.65-3.7, 3.7-3.75, and 3.75-3.8. With 450s I get 4 sorts--I get a few that are 3.6-3.65.

Now BR4s and 450s are different, but 215Ms are the same as 215s, and 210Ms are the same as 210s. I assume the Ms are a bit more consistent. That said, If I am weighing my primers, then they all become match primers.