PRIMER CHOICE 223 VARMINT LOADS

[K22]

My first choice for all my varmint small rifle varmint reloads (all bolt rifles) is Federal 205M. While I have not done extensive control comparison testing, 205M's with my bullet / powder combo have yielded results that meet or and, in most cases, exceed my minimum standards for varmint hunting, i.e., 1/2 to 5/8" moa.

A close second is Remington 7 1/2. However, I haven't seen them in ages on my local dealers' shelves.

The only negative if you can even characterize it as such, I found with CCI primers is difficultly seating them due to their hard cups. I haven't shot them in probably over 30 years in rifle reloads but as I remember, they shoot on par with the other primers that I mentioned, accuracy wise. However, you have to paid close attention to seating them to make sure that they fully and consistently seat.

For precision rifle reloading, in my experience, maintaining consistency is critically important, thus whichever primer use select - stay with it unless you can positively isolate it as the cause factor keeping you from obtaining the precision you desire.

The most significant problems I had with CCI primers is in pistol reloads. I had too many misfires in my target tuned pistol with lighter main springs. This is more due to my pistol than CCI primers. With Federal 100's, I have never had a misfire after shooting thousands of 38 special and 357 magnum reloads.

 

[drop_point]

#41s are fine primers. Just about any primer will work, just let YOUR RIFLE tell you what it prefers. Work up as normal. Primers are not interchangeable.

 

[whatsupdoc]

The PRS shooters most used primer is the CCI450, if there were a batch of CCI450 primers that
were misfiring there would be lots of posts about them and there is not.

As far as what primer to use for varmint loads in a 223, it depends. If you have a small firing pin
and your rifle does not crater primers then the CCI400 will work, the CCI450 would be a better choice for hotter loads. The CCI41 is designed with reduced sensitivity, so that would be my last choice for a accurate varmint load.

 

[centershot]

Only primers I have seem locally are Genex. What are the thoughts on those?

 

[762plinker]

Only primers I have seem locally are Genex. What are the thoughts on those?

VERY GOOD

 

[762plinker]

Standard reply and not just here.
I have a Savage Model11 Shooting precision target loads.. There is nothing wrong with the gun and nothing wrong with the loads, In this case it IS the Primers. I have shot over 1k 450 primers thru this gun with never a problem until this brick of 450 just recently purchased. I am 1/2 way thru thus brick and have already had over 2 doz FTF. So you can repeat you mantra all day long. BTW I also shoot Remington 7 1/2 in this with not a single failure and the 400 primers show signs of creator.

so you are of the opinion that firing pin springs to not weaken over time
sorry to have suggested that you fix the problem

 

[KMW 1954]

so you are of the opinion that firing pin springs to not weaken over time
sorry to have suggested that you fix the problem

Where did I ever say OR suggest that? I did NOT. Yet you insist in speaking in generalities.
The only time I have a problem is with this Brick of primers.

 

[Dgd6mm]

With the CCI 400 you will probably see flattened primers before the 41's, 450's, 7.5 or the Win small rifle. Just as a ftf is a safety issue, so is a pierced primer. I don't use the 400( or Rem 6.5) at all.

Dave, ^^^^^^^^^
Enjoy your pdog trip this year.

 

[762plinker]

Where did I ever say OR suggest that? I did NOT. Yet you insist in speaking in generalities.
The only time I have a problem is with this Brick of primers.

so is it possible that your spring is now tired and it showed up on this brick ???
NAW NOT POSSIBLE

 

[KMW 1954]

so is it possible that your spring is now tired and it showed up on this brick ???
NAW NOT POSSIBLE

Sure if you say it's so then it must be fact.
Only another load I shoot using Remington Primers fires Just Fine. So the spring must only be worn out when I load the CCI.

 

[CharlieNC]

so is it possible that your spring is now tired and it showed up on this brick ???
NAW NOT POSSIBLE

Over the last several years there have been a number of reports on this forum regarding CCI450 misfires, while not on other primers in the same rifle. No doubt this can at least be partially attributed to other factors which you mentioned, which is why I initially said they are "prone" to misfires. Perhaps a better description is the 450 is more sensitive. I've had issues in three different rifles and calibers and done all of the corrections you suggested and reduced the rate of misfires, but not totally. Sensitive, prone, "whatever" as my teen age daughter used to say.....

 

[762plinker]

Sure if you say it's so then it must be fact.
Only another load I shoot using Remington Primers fires Just Fine. So the spring must only be worn out when I load the CCI.

well you are starting to see the light..the rem is much softer so it might fire on a worn spring and guess what the 450 is tougher and needs a fresh spring

 

[Dgd6mm]

Over the last several years there have been a number of reports on this forum regarding CCI450 misfires, while not on other primers in the same rifle. No doubt this can at least be partially attributed to other factors which you mentioned, which is why I initially said they are "prone" to misfires. Perhaps a better description is the 450 is more sensitive. I've had issues in three different rifles and calibers and done all of the corrections you suggested and reduced the rate of misfires, but not totally. Sensitive, prone, "whatever" as my teen age daughter used to say.....

He wouldn't know that, he's only been on Accurate Shooter for 6 months. Plus he probably hasn't bought any in years.

 

[rebs]

I also have been having problems with CCI BR 4 primers in my Tikka 223. The misfires have cost me two wins at local club matches because I had to eject and feed another round. When I pulled the bullet and powder from the misfires the primer is brown and a small portion of the powder is discolored. Seems like the primer was not hot enough to ignite the powder. The primer strike is identical to the ones that did fire. I called CCI and the gentleman on the phone told me they have not heard of anyone else having a problem with their primers. He did not offer any kind of help other than to blame my rifle and I am not seating them right. Friends have given me other brand primers to ty and everyone has fired with no problem. CCI won't admit I have a bad brick of primers.

 

[Brians356]

I just heard they offered extra protection being thicker --I shoot some hot varmint loads

If you're counting on "extra protection" from a particular primer, your loads are too hot. Yeah, I said it.
-

 

[Brians356]

CCI won't admit I have a bad brick of primers.

How have you proven to CCI they're defective? Admittedly difficult to do, but there it is. There wouldn't be just one bad brick, the whole lot would be bad. They could be lying to you, but suppose no one besides you has reported a problem. What's CCI required to do?
-

 

[qldreloader]

For what it’s worth I had horrible es with cci450s and varget today in my 223. Can’t blame it all on that combo so don’t crucify me. I wish I could find a different primer locally to try. 450s seem to be everywhere

I had the same result initially with 450s and Varget. I found more neck tension or a very light Lee factory crimp resolved it for me.

 

[CharlieNC]

Watched Lou Merdica video today. He only users Fed because the tougher CCI results in too many misfires.

 

[dusterdave173]

Guys I never mentioned a single problem--I simply asked if anyone with experience with the 41's thought they would be Ok for my 223 bolt gun varmint / target loads--I have never had a misfire ever --never mentioned it and then 450's and misfires took over the thread I have never seen any 450's lol I shoot plenty of the std CCI SRP but was running low and 41's were on the shelf--I will find out and figure them out --whew!
I bought 6K of them to add to my stash--

 

[grovey]

400's don't belong in a 223. I've never tried the 41's myself, but I almost bought some in a pinch once, but the rocket surgeon behind the counter assured me they wouldn't work in a bolt gun as they were for semi's only. I thought I had problems with 450's once, and even though I thought i was good... I was indeed bumping my shoulder a fuzz too much. Backed off .0001, and it's been tiny groups ever since! ( true story )