Lets talk about primers

[Nate253]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

 

[jr600yd]

Large magnum pistol primers? Bad move.

 

[chkunz]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

The 308 was designed for large rifle primers, so use large rifle primers. You could use match heads a get it to go off but it was not designed for match heads or pistol primers.

 

[22BRGUY]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

DON'T!

 

[CatShooter]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

Using pistol primers in a high pressure rifle, will give you one of the worst days of your life.

 

[jonbearman]

Which reloading manual are you using currently?

 

[Nate253]

Which reloading manual are you using currently?

hornady.

 

[riflewoman]

Pistol primers usually have thinner cups and total assembled height and the depth of primer pocket is slightly deeper in rifles. So don't use ant type of pistol primers in rifles.

 

[watercam]

Beyond all of that, pistol primers have different depth dimensions than rifle primers. If you want low flash primers for match rifle loads look to Tula/Wolf/Russian primers.
Check out German Salazar's Rifleman's Blog tests of large and small rifle primers under match conditions.

 

[CJ6]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

Being NEW to reloading I would suggest that you THOROUGHLY read the manual/s which you have (Starting with the FRONT page). In this way you will better understand the terms and processes for the task/s you will come to perform. Also if you can find a mentor (NOT THE ONE THAT SUGGESTED USING LPM PRIMERS) to help you get going with setups and understand things in a hands on way. This is a great site with a lot of knowledge ask away.

 

[243winxb]

Mysteries And Misconceptions Of The All-Important Primer http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_st_mamotaip_200909/

 

[M-61]

I am new to reloading and was told when reloading .308 I could use winchester large pistol magnum primers and would notice little to no difference with my precision shots. I normally use CCI large rifle primers when reloading .308.


thoughts...?

Thoughts? OK, I would follow the loading manual, period.

 

[amlevin]

Beyond all of that, pistol primers have different depth dimensions than rifle primers. If you want low flash primers for match rifle loads look to Tula/Wolf/Russian primers.
Check out German Salazar's Rifleman's Blog tests of large and small rifle primers under match conditions.

As my supply of various primers dwindles I am replacing with TULA. A week ago I shot 25 loads using CCI 400 primers and 25 loads using WOLF primers, over my chronograph. Both were the same charge weight, same case (including prep), same bullet, same day, and same rifle.

End results were interesting. The average speed for the CCI400's (using 2000MR and 77 gr SMK's) was 2715 fps with an SD over the 25 rounds of 23 fps. The next 25 rounds with only the Wolf Primers being different yielded 2750 fps average and an SD of 9.7 fps. Group size was much smaller as well.

I had previously "optimized" the load using the CCI's by both adjusting powder charge and seating depth so it was a real nice round to begin with. Interesting how it improved with merely the primer change and the improvement has held in the last two outings so I doubt it was merely a fluke.

BTW, the CCI 400's and the CCI BR-4's shoot exactly the same, with same SD/ES numbers, in my rifle. No point in spending the extra for the BR-4's and now that I've confirmed my suspicions regarding the Wolf/Tula primers, no more CCI 400's either for me.