Should I just go to Magnum Primers

[Scrumbag]

Folks,

I have a question for you. I am getting to the point where I have to restock on primers.

Would it be worth consolidating primers on only "magnum" rather than having 2 kinds of primers for various categories of reloading?

Pistol
.44 special (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag with Viht N110 and 240gr Nosler JSP

So thinking CCI 350

.223 Rem

62 gr Hornday FMJ BT
60gr Sierra Tipped Match King
55gr Nosler E-Tip

Thinking CCI 450 as should set off ball powders well (I'm using Ramshot Exterminator), perhaps better than my current Magtech small rifle primers

257 Roberts

Speer 100gr Hotcor
Speer 120gr SPBT
Nosler E-tip 100gr
This is with RS60 (Swiss made version of RL17) or Viht N150 if I don't want to set fire to my barrel

Not difficult to ignite, but for 100gr bullets a magnum primer might give a cleaner burn as for RS60 with 100gr bullets it is about on the cusp of where you might go to a faster powder.

7x64

139gr GMX - Reload Swiss RS60
160gr Sierra SBT - Viht N160
160gr Sierra TMK - Viht N160
185gr Nosler RDF with RS70

All in the mid to high 50 something grain weights

Only really needed for the heavy bullet but useable for the others (RS70 very similar to RL24)

9.3x62
255gr Geco - Flat Base Soft Point
250gr Peregrine VRG3

Both will be with ~60 gr of N150 so starting to get to the point where a magnum primer makes sense (I have a smallish stash of Federal 215Ms)

404 Jeffery

Peregrine 350 or locally made lead jacketed bullets, likely with ~78gr of N150. Now here is where I think a magnum large rifle primer would be advantageous.

So, I guess my question would be, is it worth just stocking up on primers next time I've got an order in and going with

Pistol - CCI 350s
Small Rifle - CCI 450s
Large Rifle - Federal 215Ms

Thoughts appreciated

Scrummy

 

[K22]

I'm no expert so I've always conformed to published reloading data. My general understanding is that magnum primers are designed for use with ball powders and / or large charges of powder with magnum cartridges.

However, with today's component shortages I'd be interested in seeing what others have to say on this issue.

The difficulty I see with this approach is having to redo load development thus consuming more components than staying with your already established load. Of course, if you can't get the components for your established load, I guess it's a moot point.

With that said, I do believe a two-prong approach can be beneficial. I began consolidation of components about two years ago anticipating a change in politics which often leads to a component "crisis" such as when an anti-gun politician is elected.

First, I consolidated calibers deciding on those that I really need which enable me to narrow the type of components I need to keep in stock.

Second, I began selecting a powder that had a broad spectrum of application. For me, it was H4985 and IMR 4895 for the calibers I settled on. This wasn't too big of a jump from other powders I have used. This enabled me to buy in bulk. The same with bullets and primers. So, I have bulk supplies but flexible to use other supplies if I run short of my first choice (bulk) supplies. I also have at least 3 alternative powders that I have proven load for.

Bullets are more of a problem since in my experience these affect precision more than any other component. In other words, this isn't as easy to find suitable alternative. So, I have fewer alternatives. Primers are weak link. The only two I have for which I've done extensive load development are Federal and Remington. I haven't used CCI in over 30 years but may have to however currently, nothing is available in my area.

While this is far from a perfect solution, it's one way to deal with this component mess.

 

[MGYSGT]

Yes, Cuts down of the chances of a mistake. I been doing it since the Obummer years and shortage of primers.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Like many questions asked on here the best way is to teat for yourself. In general I have seldom found that a given load only worked with a given primer. The biggest exception to what I just stated is H4831SC. My go to powder for 60 years in 6mm Rem, .243, and .280. Shoots tighter and more consistently with magnum primers. Other than that I think primers are down the list of concerns when loading. I myself and good shooters I know over many years tend to shift around on their primer preferences. I am much more concerned with flags and bench manners. I remember a good shooter who told me when I built my first 6brx that br4s would not work in any improved 6br cartridge. Now close 20 years later he is shooting br4s in his fleet of 6bras. Kinda like what's the best barrel. For 55 years of reloading I never shot 205ms. Now I only use them in everything. Lol, laughing at myself.

 

[Laurie]

My general understanding is that magnum primers are designed for use with ball powders and / or large charges of powder with magnum cartridges.

A lot depends on whether you're talking about large or small primers (in rifle grades anyway, can't comment on pistol primers.) There are large performance variations across LR types, though not all 'magnum' grades are necessarily more 'aggressive' than standard models. The now unobtainable (will they ever be available again - not in my lifetime I think!) Russian KVB-7M is only marginally 'hotter' than its standard KVB-7 version and both are considerably 'milder' than a common or garden Remington 9 1/2 never mind its magnum version. The Federal 215 and 215M are extremely vigorous performers and definitely designed for big DG African / Weatherby / RUM type charges, CCI-250 IME much less so.

In SR grades, there is a much smaller range of performance effects based on MVs, ES/SDs etc across the entire range available. The main difference is that some standard SRs have thinner and weaker cups than their 'magnum' / BR equivalents and aren't designed to be used in high-pressure cartridges. The original Rem 7 1/2 grade with a 0.025" thick cup was introduced way back with the 222 Rem in 1950 as the cartridge's 50,000 psi MAP was regarded as too high for the 0.020" cup Rem 6 1/2, but was otherwise unchanged. The 7 1/2 was later made a bit more chemically aggressive to suit the larger .17 Rem when it was introduced and morphed into today's Rem 7 1/2 BR cap.

 

[Ken]

My knowledgable shooting partner of many years, deceased, would only use magnum primers for everything. He said it eliminated a possible variable.

 

[Bill K]

Might as well make it more simple K.I.S.S. and just stock up on the magnums. Will not hurt a thing to use them, with the thicker cup material in your loading.

 

[451whitworth]

Interestingly, in the Norma reloading manual Volume 2 all data is presented with either Winchester small rifle (WSR) primer or the Winchester LR magnum (WLRM). They use the WLRM primer in .250 savage data and similar cartridges that obviously don't need a magnum primer. Winchester LR magnum primers have been shown to produce more pressure than any other brand, not sure if it's the hottest flame but the most pressure.

 

[LeeA]

Folks,

I have a question for you. I am getting to the point where I have to restock on primers.

Would it be worth consolidating primers on only "magnum" rather than having 2 kinds of primers for various categories of reloading?

Pistol
.44 special (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag with Viht N110 and 240gr Nosler JSP

So thinking CCI 350

.223 Rem

62 gr Hornday FMJ BT
60gr Sierra Tipped Match King
55gr Nosler E-Tip

Thinking CCI 450 as should set off ball powders well (I'm using Ramshot Exterminator), perhaps better than my current Magtech small rifle primers

257 Roberts

Speer 100gr Hotcor
Speer 120gr SPBT
Nosler E-tip 100gr
This is with RS60 (Swiss made version of RL17) or Viht N150 if I don't want to set fire to my barrel

Not difficult to ignite, but for 100gr bullets a magnum primer might give a cleaner burn as for RS60 with 100gr bullets it is about on the cusp of where you might go to a faster powder.

7x64

139gr GMX - Reload Swiss RS60
160gr Sierra SBT - Viht N160
160gr Sierra TMK - Viht N160
185gr Nosler RDF with RS70

All in the mid to high 50 something grain weights

Only really needed for the heavy bullet but useable for the others (RS70 very similar to RL24)

9.3x62
255gr Geco - Flat Base Soft Point
250gr Peregrine VRG3

Both will be with ~60 gr of N150 so starting to get to the point where a magnum primer makes sense (I have a smallish stash of Federal 215Ms)

404 Jeffery

Peregrine 350 or locally made lead jacketed bullets, likely with ~78gr of N150. Now here is where I think a magnum large rifle primer would be advantageous.

So, I guess my question would be, is it worth just stocking up on primers next time I've got an order in and going with

Pistol - CCI 350s
Small Rifle - CCI 450s
Large Rifle - Federal 215Ms

Thoughts appreciated

Scrummy

Pistol
.44 special (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag with Viht N110 and 240gr Nosler JSP

So thinking CCI 350

No, Standard primers are recommended for those, and most other powders in the .44, except with H110/296 & Lil'Gun.
I use CCI 300 exclusively in mine.

 

[Flouncer]

Speer No 12 has many magnum primer loads in otherwise conventional applications.

Edit: this includes H414 and H380 in 257 Roberts +P with their 120 range of bullets. Under 9.3x62 with H414, H380, "760", IMR 4350, IMR 4381 etc and their 270gr bullet.

 

[K22]

Thanks for the clarification, I do remember the issue with the 222 and the Remington 7 1/2 primers. When they were available, I used them a lot in the 222 and 223 and they worked very well. These days I use Federal 205M when I can get them which hasn't been for the last year and half+.

A lot depends on whether you're talking about large or small primers (in rifle grades anyway, can't comment on pistol primers.) There are large performance variations across LR types, though not all 'magnum' grades are necessarily more 'aggressive' than standard models. The now unobtainable (will they ever be available again - not in my lifetime I think!) Russian KVB-7M is only marginally 'hotter' than its standard KVB-7 version and both are considerably 'milder' than a common or garden Remington 9 1/2 never mind its magnum version. The Federal 215 and 215M are extremely vigorous performers and definitely designed for big DG African / Weatherby / RUM type charges, CCI-250 IME much less so.

In SR grades, there is a much smaller range of performance effects based on MVs, ES/SDs etc across the entire range available. The main difference is that some standard SRs have thinner and weaker cups than their 'magnum' / BR equivalents and aren't designed to be used in high-pressure cartridges. The original Rem 7 1/2 grade with a 0.025" thick cup was introduced way back with the 222 Rem in 1950 as the cartridge's 50,000 psi MAP was regarded as too high for the 0.020" cup Rem 6 1/2, but was otherwise unchanged. The 7 1/2 was later made a bit more chemically aggressive to suit the larger .17 Rem when it was introduced and morphed into today's Rem 7 1/2 BR cap.

 

[wagonman]

win LP primer, is for standard and magnum loads it works with their 296 powder I use it in heavy 44 mag and works well in my 44spl, 45lc, 45acp loads using ww231 or any of the faster burning powders , simplify your primer inventory I did years ago. now rifle primers different story.

 

[Scrumbag]

Speer No 12 has many magnum primer loads in otherwise conventional applications.

Edit: this includes H414 and H380 in 257 Roberts +P with their 120 range of bullets. Under 9.3x62 with H414, H380, "760", IMR 4350, IMR 4381 etc and their 270gr bullet.

I think I have this very manual. Certainly for cast lead loads, seems to like a magnum primer with Unique.

 

[Big Mc]

Folks,

I have a question for you. I am getting to the point where I have to restock on primers.

Would it be worth consolidating primers on only "magnum" rather than having 2 kinds of primers for various categories of reloading?

Pistol
.44 special (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag (240gr cast lead RNFP with Unique)
.44 mag with Viht N110 and 240gr Nosler JSP

So thinking CCI 350

.223 Rem

62 gr Hornday FMJ BT
60gr Sierra Tipped Match King
55gr Nosler E-Tip

Thinking CCI 450 as should set off ball powders well (I'm using Ramshot Exterminator), perhaps better than my current Magtech small rifle primers

257 Roberts

Speer 100gr Hotcor
Speer 120gr SPBT
Nosler E-tip 100gr
This is with RS60 (Swiss made version of RL17) or Viht N150 if I don't want to set fire to my barrel

Not difficult to ignite, but for 100gr bullets a magnum primer might give a cleaner burn as for RS60 with 100gr bullets it is about on the cusp of where you might go to a faster powder.

7x64

139gr GMX - Reload Swiss RS60
160gr Sierra SBT - Viht N160
160gr Sierra TMK - Viht N160
185gr Nosler RDF with RS70

All in the mid to high 50 something grain weights

Only really needed for the heavy bullet but useable for the others (RS70 very similar to RL24)

9.3x62
255gr Geco - Flat Base Soft Point
250gr Peregrine VRG3

Both will be with ~60 gr of N150 so starting to get to the point where a magnum primer makes sense (I have a smallish stash of Federal 215Ms)

404 Jeffery

Peregrine 350 or locally made lead jacketed bullets, likely with ~78gr of N150. Now here is where I think a magnum large rifle primer would be advantageous.

So, I guess my question would be, is it worth just stocking up on primers next time I've got an order in and going with

Pistol - CCI 350s
Small Rifle - CCI 450s
Large Rifle - Federal 215Ms

Thoughts appreciated

Scrummy

Right now I would buy what ever I could find. Just my two cents Tommy Mc