Primer hardness chart

[Hellbender]

Anyone have a link to a relative primer cup hardness chart (ranking from softest to hardest).

I really need it for Large Rifle, but it seems I've only seen it for Small Rifle.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Don Boyd]

"Varmint Al's" Reloading Page has a link to research by a James Calhoon which finds very little differences in pressure-handling between the LR and LR Mag Primers. His summation for LR size only was to use whatever brand has the prettiest package.
http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php


Good Luck

Don Boyd

 

[Clark]

I have heard that all primers are made of the same hardness, and vary in cup thickness.
One can measure the cup thickness with calipers.

 

[Ackman]

"Varmint Al's" Reloading Page has a link to research by a James Calhoon which finds very little differences in pressure-handling between the LR and LR Mag Primers. His summation for LR size only was to use whatever brand has the prettiest package.
http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php



Good Luck

Don Boyd

I don't agree with that. In my side-by-side LR primer comparisons there was a huge difference in SD and a very measurable difference in velocity and group size.

 

[cliffy]

James Calhoun's "Chart" is generally accurate. All large rifle primers appear to be .027" in thickness. Small rifle primers, however, vary in thickness from .020" to .025." My findings are .020" thick primers work fine with .22 Hornet type fare, yet .222 Remington Magnum through .223 Remington work BETTER with .025" thick primers. Case in point: BLOWN PRIMERS via firing pin excursion into the primer pocket, cause nasty, dirty internal bolt messes. Been there, done that, since I tend to learn the hard way. I've never blown through a large rifle primer, so if such is happening, look for a good gunsmith to solve this dilemma. Cliffy

 

[Clark]

I talked to Jim Leahy [He and his wife Cathy ARE James Calhoon] about his web site and that information on primers.
He does not have internet access and someone else made the site.
He found that information somewhere and did not generate it himself.
I can't remember where he said he found it.
You would have to call him.