Federal #205 small rifle primers vs Federal Gold Medal Small Rifle Match Primer #GM205M

[ARW]

I was going to buy a thousand Federal #205 small rifle primers when I saw Federal Gold Medal Small Rifle Match Primer #GM205M was in stock also.

Is there that much difference to justify the extra cost of the GM205M over the 205?

Thanks

 

[LHSmith]

Zero difference.

 

[762willdo]

Extra quality control…….one extra set of eyes looking for errors……

 

[K22]

When did they introduce 205 small rifle primers? Just curious. In the past it was 200 and 205M and there was a difference in cup thickness.

However, if they indeed start making a 205 with the same dimenions and charge without the extra quality control I would have no concern using them. I base that on the large rifle primers experience that I had with standard 210 versus the match version, they both shot the same for me.

 

[Mulligan]

When did they introduce 205 small rifle primers? Just curious. In the past it was 200 and 205M and there was a difference in cup thickness.

However, if they indeed start making a 205 with the same dimenions and charge without the extra quality control I would have no concern using them. I base that on the large rifle primers experience that I had with standard 210 versus the match version, they both shot the same for me.

I think A Fed 200 is a small pistol mag primer
CW

 

[JFrank]

Sort by weight and shoot them side by side, maybe there the same and maybe not.

 

[butchlambert]

Sort by weight and shoot them side by side, maybe there the same and maybe not.

They are the same except the extra eyeball inspection.

 

[Doom]

At one time the 200 was called a small rifle primer for lower pressure SRP cartridges, similar to Remington 6-1/2. With the 223 Rem the lower 200's and 6-1/2 were not robust enough hence the 205's and 7-1/2.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have been shooting standard 205’s for 20+ years. Before that, I shot only the “Gold Medal Match” until some pretty darn good shooters told me I was wasting my money.

 

[ARW]

I have been shooting standard 205’s for 20+ years. Before that, I shot only the “Gold Medal Match” until some pretty darn good shooters told me I was wasting my money.

Since you have been shooting the 205's for 20 plus years I guess they were right.

 

[ARW]

It looks like most of the votes are for the 205 primers instead of the GM205M.

I will be placing an order for the 205's.....Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[joshb]

While the discussion session rambled along
, those primers went out of stock!!!

 

[ARW]

While the discussion session rambled along
, those primers went out of stock!!!

April fools in September!!!!

Shame on you!!!

 

[Rsadams]

While the discussion session rambled along
, those primers went out of stock!!!

I literally LOL when I got to your post... unfortunately these days you're probably correct....

 

[DirtySteve]

Federal Match primers are made by the oldest most experienced people. Same compound as the other primers just senior people making them....
Edit: Vestal Virgins also help..@Joshb

 

[rebs]

what about their AR primers, are they suitable for a bolt gun ?

 

[joshb]

Federal Match primers are made by the oldest most experienced people. Same compound as the other primers just senior people making them....

I heard they were made by vestal virgins. One reason they’re so scarce.

 

[searcher]

what about their AR primers, are they suitable for a bolt gun ?

Yes. They are very much like the Russian Tula 223 Magnum primers - and maybe Remington 7 1/2 but they "roll over" better in primer trays than the Russian primers. They handle pressure pretty well. I get single digit ES's in the loads used them in.

 

[762willdo]

what about their AR primers, are they suitable for a bolt gun ?

I just put a case of 205Ms up for sale because I replaced them with 205MARs if that tells you anything……