ERIK CORTINA - PRIMER TESTING?

[Bill Norris]

In Erik's latest video with Chris Long Erik says most people test primers wrong. He said loading the same charge load and using different primers is NOT the correct way to test primers. So what is the proper way to test them? He never said on the video.

 

[Garrison smith]

I’m in the middle of the Video just now.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

I would imagine he means that you need to take the time to develop a load from scratch with each primer. A CCI primer might like 33.0 grains, whereas a Federal might shoot better at 29.4, as an example. Shooting each at 33.0 wouldn't show the true potential of the Federal.

I'm very new to precision loading, but that's my thoughts on it, could be wrong. I've been thinking about that for awhile now, but am yet to do a primer test of my own.

 

[Bill Norris]

I would imagine he means that you need to take the time to develop a load from scratch with each primer. A CCI primer might like 33.0 grains, whereas a Federal might shoot better at 29.4, as an example. Shooting each at 33.0 wouldn't show the true potential of the Federal.

I'm very new to precision loading, but that's my thoughts on it, could be wrong. I've been thinking about that for awhile now, but am yet to do a primer test of my own.

But that defies the whole concept of only changing one thing at the time.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

But that defies the whole concept of only changing one thing at the time.

Does it though? You're essentially working up two independent loads, each primer stays consistent while the powder charge changes.

I'll add that I haven't watched that video yet, this is just what I've been thinking about when I think of primer testing.

 

[Murray Brook]

@Bill Norris Would you have a link to this video. TKS

 

[Field_2_Fork]

@Bill Norris Would you have a link to this video. TKS

 

[memilanuk]

But that defies the whole concept of only changing one thing at the time.

That might not be as bad as you think.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I have had this situation, due to the spasmodic supply of decent primers in NZ. Over the last 2 years, I have used Federal Small Match, RUAG and CCI BR 2, in SRP. RWS and Federal Magnum Match and BR4's. All needed testing for powder load ( and yes, case capacity, as I have flipped from Lapua Palma to Norma brass)
PITA. I can't wait for a decent delivery of one type of primer, and good quantity of brass and heaven forbid, powder.

 

[Gargoyle]

Erik has put me in the right direction on a lot of his shared info. There are things he says I have to ponder, but congrats to him for learning, doing, sharing the knowledge!

For the love of all things holy do not watch the Hornady podcast about "Groups too small" or something...I might have been too tired last night, but I was at a loss a few minutes in...

 

[DiRTY DOG]

The old standard primer test never made sense to me. You're testing which primer likes that specific powder charge best. It's a VERY narrow test compared to changing powder charges or seating depth.

If you work up a tuned load using brand A primer, surely the tune will change by swapping to brand B primer. Not by much, but it will change a little. Most likely you can bring the load back in tune by a small adjustment to the powder charge etc.

A better test would be to work up a load for primer A and also work up a load for primer B. Maybe Primer B is a hair hotter and likes 0.2gr less powder, and both primers shoot equally well when tuned properly?

 

[Hoot]

Erik has put me in the right direction on a lot of his shared info. There are things he says I have to ponder, but congrats to him for learning, doing, sharing the knowledge!

For the love of all things holy do not watch the Hornady podcast about "Groups too small" or something...I might have been too tired last night, but I was at a loss a few minutes in...

I made it 22 minutes before I looked at the clock for the first time. It's late, so I bookmarked the video to return to when I have more time to devote. We'll see if returning is worth it or not.

Hoot

 

[BoydAllen]

The old, and most common way to test primers has always seemed a little lame brained to me, for the reason that others have said. What you really want to know is whether the best load that you can tune up with one primer has an accuracy advantage over the best load that you can tune up with another. To do this one has to tune up loads for each.

There are a lot of fellows who look at loads as some sort of static achievement, that once found is an immutable truth. Perhaps for their rifles, and expectations that is true, but for those who want the very best from their equipment, loads are things that require frequent fine tuning. For them, answers require more work.

Gun writers are the source of most of this simple mindedness, and most of them, with a few notable exceptions, have never done much in the areas of really top accuracy or tuning. Unfortunately, to the new shooter these guys look very knowledgeable in all things.

The more recent version is the abundance of bad advice on YouTube. There is also very good information, but the problem is that those who are learning, and have little experience, have no way to tell one from the other.

 

[big5ifty]

It's common knowledge, and has been for decades, that changing primers changes the burn characteristic of the load.

It's always educational when pro shooters share their particular information.

Keep in mind that when Erik, or anyone else, shares what works for them, it's for their platform and components. Don't expect the same results if yours are different.

 

[chop house]

What you really want to know is whether the best load that you can tune up with one primer has an accuracy advantage over the best load that you can tune up with another. To do this one has to tune up loads for each.

^^ concise

 

[jackieschmidt]

On a whim, I bought 5000 Unis Ginex small rifle primers.
They shoot exactly the same in my 30BR as the Federal 205’s that that I have always used. Same velocity, same level of accuracy.
However, while they performed well in my 6PPC, I pierced several.

They will not take the pressure that we generate in the 6PPC. That is a big consideration.

 

[Bill Norris]

Very glad I posted this because I definitely am learning some more good stuff..However. I suppose the reason I had the question is because I never have seen a need to actually test for a better primer and have done very little of it.

 

[rijndael]

They will not take the pressure that we generate in the 6PPC. That is a big consideration.

For those not familiar with the PPC, what ballpark pressure is that?

 

[Cfshooter]

Great episode, care less about the first 25 minutes and science of OBT, way too smart for me lol.

 

[RDavies]

In Erik's latest video.with Chris Long Erik says most people test primers wrong. He said loading the same charge load and using different primers is NOT the correct way to test primers. So what is the proper way to test them? He never said on the video.

And Eric is 100% correct on this. I haven't seen the video yet, but I suspect it won't be seeing which primer gives best accuracy with a certain powder load which likely won't be in the harmonic's node with some primers..