Primers for AR?

[Leo_B]

Are the only primers for AR ammo the primers specifically referenced to the AR? Or there are other primers that function fine? If the AR specific, which I suspect are the only way to go, are there any to always try to use or always try to avoid?

 

[JB10]

I use a few different once since i dont chace great accuracy in one of my ARs. You will be safe with rem 7 1/2, cci 41, cci450. Something with a little harder cup. But from what ive been told stay away from rem 6 1/2. A friend has used them and was fine, but he is not a smart man.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

CCI 450 are good for ARs, thick cups.

GINEX 5.56 small rifle primers are good. A bit larger in diameter so can be hard to seat in some brass.

Wolf Small Rifle Magnum are great, if you can find them.

Murom 5.56 primers are good.

The CCI 41 and Winchester 41 are of course good as well.

CCI 400s are soft, as are federal 205s. Not ideal for ARs.

 

[Precisionhunter417]

Federal has a 205-MAR which is a match AR primer with a harder cup.

 

[1shot]

CCI 450 are good for ARs, thick cups.

GINEX 5.56 small rifle primers are good. A bit larger in diameter so can be hard to seat in some brass.

Wolf Small Rifle Magnum are great, if you can find them.

Murom 5.56 primers are good.

The CCI 41 and Winchester 41 are of course good as well.

CCI 400s are soft, as are federal 205s. Not ideal for ARs.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[243winxb]

Use Mag primers and thicker cups. Avoid REM 6 1/2, CCI400 ,Fed 200. Only good up to 40,000 maximum pressure.
http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

I would only buy Winchester primer, if nothing else was available.

My M16A1 bolt after using Fed 200s. around 1979.

 

[243winxb]

No slam fires with M16 or AR15. Bolt has to be locked, to fire.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | M1 Garand Slam-Fires: Potential Causes & Solutions

A slam-fire is a rare occurrence in an M1 Garand, but it can happen, as it did to one American Rifleman contributor. Here's how he discovered a potential cause.

www.americanrifleman.org

M1 Garand

 

[Leo_B]

Given these options available from the source to be used the obvious logical choice is 1, 2 or 3?
1. CCI Small Rifle Magnum Primers No. 450 $58.00
2. Federal Gold Medal AR Small Rifle Match Primers $59.50
3. Winchester Small Rifle #41 Primers $69.00
Yeah, available elsewhere for better pricing on some at least but I have a credit to use at this source. :/

 

[Walt Krafft]

White River Energetics small rifle primers are good for an AR.

 

[Laurie]

There is a useful guide for AR-15 (and other) shooters here:

https://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=56422.0

 

[Leo_B]

That's very interesting and useful. Thanks.

 

[GetReal]

My M16A1 bolt after using Fed 200s. around 1979. View attachment 1737470View attachment 1737471

WOW !!!!!!

 

[SeabeeKen]

Some unis ginex primers have the letter N at the end of the designation indicating NATO approved. Ive used them in my ar without issue.

 

[jelenko]

Given these options available from the source to be used the obvious logical choice is 1, 2 or 3?
1. CCI Small Rifle Magnum Primers No. 450 $58.00
2. Federal Gold Medal AR Small Rifle Match Primers $59.50
3. Winchester Small Rifle #41 Primers $69.00
Yeah, available elsewhere for better pricing on some at least but I have a credit to use at this source. :/

1 or 2. Not 3.

Winchester primers are known to leak around the edges of the primer. Out of the 5K Win 41's that I used, 10-12 leaked, each leaving a small divot in the bolt face.

 

[Leo_B]

Good to know and saves a bit too. I like the idea of the Federal Gold Medal AR Match for the snooty name which probably means the CCI is the slightly better primer.

 

[jpjulian]

I have used countless thousands of Remington 7 1/2 primers in my AR's over a 20+ year Highpower career. Same for CCI BR4's. Winchester's tend to pierce or leak around the edge. Avoid them as well as any Standard small rifle primer ie: Rem 6 1/2, CCI #400 or Federal SRP as they cannot handle the pressures for 5.56 class loads. Stay with those primers which have thicker cups.

 

[spencerhenry]

Many thousands of winchester primers, never had one pierce, nor one leak. I guess I'm doing it wrong.

 

[Dgd6mm]

The large rifle Winchester primers cut a couple of my boltfaces years ago. I quit using them and will not use another. SRP I've used in my FTR. 223 rifle without issues.