Primers, is there a best, or even a better?

[Paddyd]

I've lately read various posts somewhere talking about how nicely Winchester primers seat, smoother and easier than others. So I'm wondering is there a best when it comes to primers? Or even a better? And if so which one?

Personally, I like CCI and Federal. The Winchesters seat so sloppily, it feels like the pockets are worn out. Don't know if it affects ignition or not, but even with new or once fired cases it feels like they just fall in with no effort at all.

 

[Mark611]

I have never had a problem with the Winchester primers, but as another has mentioned I have NOS I purchased about 15yrs ago! I've no issues with them in either performance or reliability. running 42gns of VARGET or H4895 from 308win with the 175gn SMK's with LAPUA and ALPHA OCD brass. these loads run in the 2660's from either my 26'' or 25'' tubes, 1in10 twist.

 

[kd4avp]

I am a CCI fan for all my benchrest stuff.
All the AR stuff gets the Winchesters that have been on the shelf since buying up a lot during the Obama years.

 

[Tangent]

Remington 9 1/2 work well, I like Federal 205M for SRP, Magtech SRP are good too.

 

[troupe]

Winchester cost me a match on time to many, no more Win's for me.

 

[searcher]

I've burned through a heck of a lot of primers over the past 50+ years. Mostly Remington, Federal, CCI, Winchester and, of foreign make, Tula and Wolff (both from Murom). I've enjoyed great success with each primer make, depending on the load a particular firearm liked. To say that any of these are bad would be improper, I think. While some are better for particular applications, it doesn't make the others bad by default. I've never bought too many foreign primers. I bought the Tula and Wolff when pickings were slim - though they turned out to be excellent primers.

I use different primers, as most do, for certain applications - such as Tula Magnum, Rem. 7 1/2 and Federal A/R primers for my small primer semiautos, CCI BR4, 450's or Federal Match in my target rifles, Winchester small and large pistol/magnum primers in all of my target handguns (exclusively!), Remington and Federal large rifle primers for most large rifle applications, CCI 400 for my .17 hornet, etc.

I use a lot of different primers - as there are none that are perfect for every job -- just some that are better for certain applications.