Is there a noticeable difference between CCI 200 and CCI BR2 primers?

[BillC79]

My tests show no difference between CCI 200 vs CCI BR-2 primers.

I was driven to the test because I was running low on large rifle primers and could only find Federal 210 primers for sale. I tested the three primers in my 24” barrel .308 Win with Stiller action and PTG bolt and firing pin.

Ten shots each were fired with 175 grain Sierra MatchKing bullets in fully resized Lapua brass at 2.85COL loaded with 44.2gr IMR 4166. Powder was dispensed with my AutoTrickler system and Sartorius balance. CCI 200 and CCI BR-2 gave comparable velocities and standard deviations. Federal 210 primers yielded comparable velocities with slightly lower standard deviation.
Excel data panel follows:

 

[Richard Coody]

The br4 has a thicker cup. Might be better than 400's in high pressure loads and Ar's

 

[sbhooper]

Want to have a real eye-opener, toss a box of Tula Primers (small or large rifle) into the test.

I found the Tula LR primers to give me exactly the same accuracy as the Fed GM210M primer with lower SD and ES numbers. Another "number" that was a lot lower was the Cost 8)

I think that in times past the "BR" primers WERE better. With modern machines and better quality control overall the difference is probably little or non-existent with many Mfr's. FWIW, the load workups for the Fed's and Tula yielded the exact charge weights for 175 gr SMK's in 308 Win.

The only problem that I had with the Tulas, was that I had more failures to fire, than all of my years of reloading CCI put together.

 

[Dave Berg]

Not sure why I even read a thread that's over six years old about primers that aren't imported to the US any longer but:

The only problem that I had with the Tulas, was that I had more failures to fire, than all of my years of reloading CCI put together.

The Russian SRM primers regardless of brand name (PMC, Wolf, Tula) are slightly larger in diameter than other brands. It takes considerably more force to seat them so the cup is hard against the bottom of the primer pocket. If they're not seated hard you would sometimes get hangfires and misfires. Seated properly they were the best available... when they were available. Since they're no longer available this discussion is moot. Except I know a guy that has THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of them. But it's not me and I'm not telling.