Federal Primers Info Please?

[MDslammer]

Hi Guys,

Looking to purchase some primers for reloading my .308 Win.
What's the difference between the Federal GM210M and the
Federal GM215M?

The GM215M are only $2.50 more.

Thanks.

MDslammer

 

[KMart]

The 210m are large rifle match.
The 215m are large rifle magnum match.

The 215m should be a little hotter.

 

[necchi]

Well in the case of 210 vrs 215,,
The 210 is a Large Rifle
The 215 is a Large Rifle Magnum

The "M" designation in your post is Federal's "Match" grade primer.

To my knowledge they make the two, The "Gold Medal" match grade and the "Champion" as the standard primer,,
,and the only difference is a senior/experienced employee is on the line as they come off the machine,, The ones that look better are sent down the "match grade" chute and the rest go down the standard chute.

If you want Match Grade by all means get'm, but ya need to know what application you use,,
A Standard or Magnum primer.

Magnum primers are not "hotter", they have a different compound that throws burning particles further into the case,,

 

[mtang45]

.........
,and the only difference is a senior/experienced employee is on the line as they come off the machine,, The ones that look better are sent down the "match grade" chute and the rest go down the standard chute.

If you want Match Grade by all means get'm, but ya need to know what application you use,,
A Standard or Magnum primer.

Magnum primers are not "hotter", they have a different compound that throws burning particles further into the case,,

That is some good information. I didn't realize that the difference was that uuhhh arbitrary

 

[MDslammer]

Well in the case of 210 vrs 215,,
The 210 is a Large Rifle
The 215 is a Large Rifle Magnum

The "M" designation in your post is Federal's "Match" grade primer.

To my knowledge they make the two, The "Gold Medal" match grade and the "Champion" as the standard primer,,
,and the only difference is a senior/experienced employee is on the line as they come off the machine,, The ones that look better are sent down the "match grade" chute and the rest go down the standard chute.

If you want Match Grade by all means get'm, but ya need to know what application you use,,
A Standard or Magnum primer.

Magnum primers are not "hotter", they have a different compound that throws burning particles further into the case,,

I'm looking for the most accuracy I can get. Shooting 1000
yds. at steel with my .308.
Do U think there will be a noticeable difference using the 215M?

 

[necchi]

That's one of those endless debates,
For accuracy at that range changing name brands of primer alone will/can change the group.
Many load manuals use a standard LR primer with the 308,

I do know guys that use nothing but Mag primers in all their application, there is a change in the powder charge when using mag vrs standard primers, but changing the charge is on of the things Hand Loaders do while seeking that magic load.

Primer choice is an individuals thing. Here's a good read;
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-large-rifle-primer-study.html

I use Remington primers, But my rifles are not 1000yrd rifles
I could probably scare a 1000yrd gong.

 

[dansig]

the .308 case is short so there is no need for a magnum primer, I use the magnum primers for my .300 win mag that is almost double the size of a .308 case, I do notice a lot of difference if I use regular primers in .300 win mag, the powder burns to slow and in consistant so groups become terrible.

I tried magnum primers in .243 and the same happend there only reverse.. good groups with regular primers and terrible with magnum primers as the powder burned to fast with the magnum primer..

so if you use magnum primers you might try a slower burning powder to compensate...

 

[CaptainMal]

Pick a standard primer that you can easily get more of. Simple as that.

The Winchester WLR primer works well with most anything. Try other types if you are into finding that "perfect"
grouping load for target or long-range.

Try magnum primers if you are using powder volumes above 50 gr. In 308 cases they are rarely needed and could cause poorer grouping or even pressure issues.

The most noticable difference between match and regular primers comes out of your wallet and builds on your ego.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Just a tidbit, correct me if I am wrong.. Often am.. ;D

I have been of the understanding that Federal developed the 215 "Magnum" primer in response to a large capacity case, such as the 7mm RM, 300 Wm, etc were not reliabily igniting in cold temps. Example: Big Game hunting big game in 40* or colder.

What say you?

 

[MDslammer]

OK. From the way I'm geting this, the 210M is fine for my .308 reloads which
I'm using SMK 175gr. BTHP bullets, Varget powder and Federal once fired brass.

Would I be correct in assuming the 215M would be appropriate to use when
I start reloading for my .338 Lapua ammo? I'll be using 250gr. and 300gr.
bullets.

 

[necchi]

developed the 215 "Magnum" primer in response to a large capacity case, such as the 7mm RM, 300 Wm, etc were not reliably igniting in cold temps.

Not really, it's not about temps.
Standard primers job is to throw a flame through the flash hole at the head of the case into the powder,, powder ignites and burns from the head to the shoulder.

Magnum primers have a different compound often containing a metal such as aluminum that acts like burning sparks that are blown further into the case igniting the slower burning powders used in longer/larger magnum cases along the full length of the case.

So the basic difference is how the powder is ignited and burns inside the case and the resulting pressure spike.
Burn rates of powders is why we use different powders in different cases, a fast powder ignited along the full length of a short case (like the 308 class) will spike differently.
Where as, a slow powder in a large case burning from one end to the other may not be as efficiant.

The common idea is that magnum primers are "Hotter" and while that may be so by a small amount, the real difference is how far that flame is blown.
Magum primers aren't really hotter,, there's just MORE flame thrown FURTHER.

So each pirmer type has an application it's best suited for. If there wasn't a significant difference in application, none of the makers would offer both types,, we'd all just have "primers" large and small available.

 

[newgun]

But if the flam is more, would that not make it hotter? I have read over and over to go with a mag. primer in very cold weather-- no??

 

[Shynloco]

OK. From the way I'm geting this, the 210M is fine for my .308 reloads which
I'm using SMK 175gr. BTHP bullets, Varget powder and Federal once fired brass.

Would I be correct in assuming the 215M would be appropriate to use when
I start reloading for my .338 Lapua ammo? I'll be using 250gr. and 300gr.
bullets.

MD,
Good call in my estimation. The 210's work very nicely in a .308 especially in competition or plain accuracy. I will say that I have done extensive testing both with casings and primers for best accuracy. I am not overly fond of Federal casings (over Lapua) because of their thickness and hardness. For ordinary use (includes hunting), the Federal brass is ok, but Lapua is better if you are looking for best accuracy resulting from consistent neck tension. I guess it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[MDslammer]

OK. From the way I'm geting this, the 210M is fine for my .308 reloads which
I'm using SMK 175gr. BTHP bullets, Varget powder and Federal once fired brass.

Would I be correct in assuming the 215M would be appropriate to use when
I start reloading for my .338 Lapua ammo? I'll be using 250gr. and 300gr.
bullets.

MD,
Good call in my estimation. The 210's work very nicely in a .308 especially in competition or plain accuracy. I will say that I have done extensive testing both with casings and primers for best accuracy. I am not overly fond of Federal casings (over Lapua) because of their thickness and hardness. For ordinary use (includes hunting), the Federal brass is ok, but Lapua is better if you are looking for best accuracy resulting from consistent neck tension. I guess it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

I agree about the brass. However, I accumulated almost 5K brass cases over
the course of 2 years. I just started reloading a few months back so this is
what I'm using for now.

I will move onto Lapua brass once I've used up my Federal stash but that
may be a while... :-\

Also, I live in Las Vegas, NV. It's a hot mofo' here in the summer and gets
reasonably cold in the winter months. That's why I've been told that Varget
powder for this area was well suited.

I'm just looking to order some supplies and wanted to make sure I ordered
the right primers. I guess I could order a couple of each (210M & 215M) that
way I'd have primers for both my .308 loads and my .338 Lapua Magnum
loads once I start reloading for it. Yes/No?

 

[necchi]

But if the flame is more, would that not make it hotter?

Hotter equals temperature,,
Temperature is not volume or flame.
Flame is relative, you can turn the wick on an oil lamp high and have a 3" flame,
while a butane torch will also throw a 3" flame

I have read over and over to go with a mag. primer in very cold weather-- no??

Guess I haven't read that, I live in Minnesota. I kinda have some experience with very cold.
I'm not swapping out the primers in pet loads that I worked up in 40 degree October just to hunt deer in 0 temp November or coyote in 20 below January.
As an aside I don't shoot those loads in 95 degree August.

 

[Nodak7mm]

So in other words, lets pretend I am just as handsome as my wife says.. If I go eat mexican for supper and have extra jalapeno's, does that mean I am now a "Hottie?"

;D ;D ;D ;D

Sorry, Necchi.. But this heat has cooked my Norsk brain...

For simplistic & for safety purposes n this discussion, stick with the recommended 210's in std large rifle cases and 215's in mag cases... and as applicable as you venture into using other brands...

Rod

 

[necchi]

If I go eat Mexican for supper and have extra jalapeno's, does that mean I am now a "Hottie?"

You'll know in the morning,
(would that be secondary detonation?)

MDslammer,
Sure get a brick of Mags or two. Don't know how much your going to order but your 338'll need'm.
If ya notice, not alot of fellers have jumped in saying what kind you should use in the 308. Seem's each guy makes his own choice, but you won't go wrong with a standard primer.

Go back and look at the photo's in German Salazar`s link I provided.
I use Remington 7 1/2 SR and 9 1/2 LR and Winchester LR Mags.
But I tried CCI-Fed-Win and Rem in single flats before I jumped into buying bricks. 8)