It's normally my last step but it's still important!

[Ccrider]

Actually, most of the load workup was done with CCI-450's and they shot very well, similarly to the top row, just a little larger. Then tested the Wolf's and the BR4's and obviously the BR4's gave the best performance. Something I noticed and have noticed before, with the exception of the 30.3 Gr. load, the BR4's shot on avg. approx. 8fps. faster than the Wolf SRM's. They also generally speaking give me a couple of fps more velocity than the CCI-450. Just a general statement at least as far as my experience goes, the Wolf primers, Lg & Small have given me some of the very best groups, Es & Sd's and have also given me some of the worst, I guess that's why we test.

Looks like the Wolf group is out of tune.

 

[dmoran]

so let me get this straight you can change primers WITHOUT load development. is it ok to change powders the same way ? why is changing one component ok but not others?

Primer pressure typically is responsible for less then 1% of the total pressure, which is also a very minuscule amount of the total velocity. Hence, why primers are a smaller tuning aspect compared to the powder, charges, or the seating, in the grand scheme of it all.

 

[Eric Bliss]

Actually, most of the load workup was done with CCI-450's and they shot very well, similarly to the top row, just a little larger. Then tested the Wolf's and the BR4's and obviously the BR4's gave the best performance. Something I noticed and have noticed before, with the exception of the 30.3 Gr. load, the BR4's shot on avg. approx. 8fps. faster than the Wolf SRM's. They also generally speaking give me a couple of fps more velocity than the CCI-450. Just a general statement at least as far as my experience goes, the Wolf primers, Lg & Small have given me some of the very best groups, Es & Sd's and have also given me some of the worst, I guess that's why we test.

I was testing 6.5x47 recently and observed a similar relationship between fps with cci450 and br4; br4 loads had higher fps, a bit more than what you've noted for your test but it's a different cartridge and load so not a detail we can compare in this case. Good similarity to keep in mind regardless.

 

[338 dude]

After I have done ladders with powder/s and seating depth's I then go back and retweak the best node in smaller powder increments and at that time I try checking a few to several different primers. Sometime I get a little lazy and forget about primers and just go with what has worked for me in the past but this target kind of reminded me that I shouldn't skip this test. Top row BR4's bottom row Wolf SRM primers. Same seating depth's and powder charges, same morning, same conditions, shot alternating BR4 to Wolf, wolf to Br4, etc.

So it looks like you’ll be using Br fours from now on out

 

[338 dude]

I've read about this a few times lately but am yet to try it. Are you comfortable not going down in powder charge before trying the different primer? I've been wondering about that. (I've only been reloading for a couple years)

Thanks!

Smart !

 

[Zero333]

Did load work up with cci250. Found the best charge weight at 2,996 fps avg. 26" barrel.

Next range trip I tested the cci250's vs 215m.

250's were going 2,995 fps and grouped 0.65 moa at 300 meters.

215's were clocking 2,975 fps and grouped 0.38 moa at the same 300meters.

 

[Chuckhunter]

So it looks like you’ll be using Br fours from now on out

My Dashers had a preference for the 450's but this Bra seems to want the Br4's. I know it pays to test so it appears that I'm going to have to be a little more diligent.

 

[sqrlgtr]

I've read about this a few times lately but am yet to try it. Are you comfortable not going down in powder charge before trying the different primer? I've been wondering about that. (I've only been reloading for a couple years)

Thanks!

F2F,
It won't hurt a thing to backoff your powder and I encourage you to do it especially if it makes you fell better "safer".I dont but I know I have some room within my loads...

 

[Steve Ladino]

Primers make a difference. People that never treat different ones may be leaving something on the table. But hey, let’s hope they don’t ever test it because then they will all be doing it

I’ve found best load and final was primer change. And if one shot best I went with it. No re working of entire load. Almost like it’s a final tweak in my load. So far it holds and hasn’t bit me to not re work load

I found in a primer evaluation test yesterday with Varget and the same charge weights in the 06 that Winchester and Wolf primers grouped very well and about the same. The WW primers delivered 100 FPS more speed than CCI and Rem. and Federal 215's. Wolf primers delivered more speed than the others but less than the WW primers. I was surprised at the performance of the WW primers ( bronze colored ).
I always heard that WW Ball propellants were harder to ignite so it stands to reason that their primers would be more potent, especially when used with extruded powders and maybe not suited for large quantities of extruded powders.

 

[Bc'z]

I found in a primer evaluation test yesterday with Varget and the same charge weights in the 06 that Winchester and Wolf primers grouped very well and about the same. The WW primers delivered 100 FPS more speed than CCI and Rem. and Federal 215's. Wolf primers delivered more speed than the others but less than the WW primers. I was surprised at the performance of the WW primers ( bronze colored ).
I always heard that WW Ball propellants were harder to ignite so it stands to reason that their primers would be more potent, especially when used with extruded powders and maybe not suited for large quantities of extruded powders.

I like WLRP in my 06'
Makes me wonder if they just provide more flame to ignite powder better giving higher velocities or better efficiency in burn.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I like WLRP in my 06'
Makes me wonder if they just provide more flame to ignite powder better giving higher velocities or better efficiency in burn.

I believe that what they produce is higher pressure because of rapid and fairly complete ignition of extruded powders especially. They are designed with WW ball powders in mind no doubt, assuming that the readily available Winchester primers we buy are what they load in their factory ammo with their ball powders.

 

[ben lurkin]

It would be interesting to see the pressure curves on these. I’m guessing we might see two pressure peaks with the wolf primers.

 

[PigButtons]

This primer testing question is well discussed with Hornet and other tiny caliber fanatics. The smaller the case volume the greater impact the primer has on the load's performance. I agree with others that the type / brand of powder can be key in which primers to consider.

 

[Cecil S.]

This is a good read.