Thinking about primers

[RAult]

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has ever wondered this but as a new reloader of metallic cartridges I have been wondering about primer brisance. I have reloaded shotgun shells for years and understand what brisance is but with the current inability to get exactly that component that is needed to make a load I find myself considering( note considering not doing yet) my options. Here’s the scenario: I have a Savage model 11 .223 bolt action rifle. Now according to the books I need a Remington 7 1/2 primer for a load with my IMR3031 powder. Unfortunately they are as scarce as hens teeth. However I can get my hands on CCI BR-4 primers and Federal GM205MAR however as I understand it these are both designed to the AR platform.
My question is this then. Is there a way to substitute safely these primers for the Remington 7 1/2. Based on some of what I have read, the Win. small rifle is the hottest with the Remington about the lowest and the Federal somewhere between. I’m hoping that someone has tried this using loads maybe 1-2 grains below the low limit and then found a sweet spot with them. Thank you for your thoughts on this. I spend a lot of time thinking because I want to understand this hobby as much as possible and not everything is written down in a single book.
Rick

 

[old_heli_logger]

Use them, start low and work up watching for pressure signs.
Good luck!
Steve

 

[BeefyT11]

Check this out, it will show you the briasance for the rem 7 1/2 and the federal 205m

Primer Flash Test Photos

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The cci br-4 is a match primer just like the 205m and I would expect very similar briasance from them as well

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Due to the component supply situation I have had to change primers. I haven't seen enough difference between Rem 7.5, Br4, or Fed 205 to matter for hunting or prairie dogs. I ran across a few hundred Fed 205mar loaded up a handful of my favorite 20p loads and checked the zero on my night vision scope, same poi and shots touching groups at 100 yards(loads had been with CCI 450's).

 

[L.Sherm]

Even though 7.5's are my first choice, Get some 450's they have been available.

 

[dgeesaman]

I find that for some cartridges, small primers won’t ignite the powder in all conditions. Using a primer with more brisance helps. Creedmoor for example, did not ignite in cold weather and brass with small rifle primers. In my limited experience this can happen with cartridges that have brass with either small or large primers. Going to the standard large primer version fixes it. Normally I wouldn’t mention this but with large primers being the hardest to find, it could be relevant.

In all other situations, I’ve found any primer of the same type seems to work and the only way to confirm which is working best is to test and work up the load from a safe point with each one.

 

[RAult]

Thanks for the responses. I’m gonna load some up and see what happens.

 

[Sandstorm]

They will be just fine Sir.

 

[fm1947]

I have used the CCI BR4 for many years in 30BR, 6BR, 6BRX, LAPUA 308 SMALL PRIMER BRASS, AND MY AR15'S and all regular CCI Small, along with Winchester Small

 

[6BRA]

Are 7.5 cups as hard as the 450? How do they handle hot loads?

 

[Ray123]

Yep Rem 7 1/2 have the same cup thickness as the CCI 450, BR4, ...and they can take the magnum type pressures, I used em in hot loads in 6 dasher, Palma SR 308, 454 Casull , 17 Remington etc. In my experience they are very good at taking pressures.

 

[mgunderson]

I find the level of component substitution during the Rona to be very interesting ( and frustrating at time). Going to be fun to see what combinations people stick with after the dust settles. I expect there will be a few new unicorn combinations that people swear by. With the number of people forced to try new bullets and powder the odds are something useful comes out.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Quit thinking so much. Test and find out for yourself.

 

[markm87]

Unfortunately they are as scarce as hens teeth. However I can get my hands on CCI BR-4 primers and Federal GM205MAR however as I understand it these are both designed to the AR platform.

We shoot a LOT of AR and Bolt gun .223 ammo and substitute all sorts of primers for both. Right now I'm shooting a load of IMR4031 with Wolf SRMs. It's a solid combo.

As far as the 450s/41s mentioned.. we've grabbed the recent production of those and they've been a complete pain in the butt with several powders.

In 3031, I backed off my 223 load a half grain to test the CCI 41s, and I was still getting swipes and one blown primer.

We joke that we're about ready to load ammo with the primer only, and no output charge.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

While on the subject of primers, I got these 7 1/2’s from Brownell’s today.
Do you think this date on the inside cover stamp means Remington is just getting some old stock out?

 

[ChrisNZ]

Two years old is getting on a bit??
They are but a pup.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Two years old is getting on a bit??
They are but a pup.

Yes that’s plenty new for me, but I was just thinking out loud to see if any of you think they might be holding the supply back on us.

 

[nakneker]

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has ever wondered this but as a new reloader of metallic cartridges I have been wondering about primer brisance. I have reloaded shotgun shells for years and understand what brisance is but with the current inability to get exactly that component that is needed to make a load I find myself considering( note considering not doing yet) my options. Here’s the scenario: I have a Savage model 11 .223 bolt action rifle. Now according to the books I need a Remington 7 1/2 primer for a load with my IMR3031 powder. Unfortunately they are as scarce as hens teeth. However I can get my hands on CCI BR-4 primers and Federal GM205MAR however as I understand it these are both designed to the AR platform.
My question is this then. Is there a way to substitute safely these primers for the Remington 7 1/2. Based on some of what I have read, the Win. small rifle is the hottest with the Remington about the lowest and the Federal somewhere between. I’m hoping that someone has tried this using loads maybe 1-2 grains below the low limit and then found a sweet spot with them. Thank you for your thoughts on this. I spend a lot of time thinking because I want to understand this hobby as much as possible and not everything is written down in a single book.
Rick

Remington 7 1/2s at Brownells, 2k limit. In case it helps.

Rifle Primers on 26 Products | Brownells

Browse 26 Rifle Primers Products From Top Brands like CCI, FEDERAL, WINCHESTER. Take a look at all 60 Primers Product Sold on Brownells Today!

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[RAult]

Well I bought 1k of the Remingtons 71/2s today. Still gonna play with the others a bit too.
Why does it seem like stuff magically appears once in awhile?

 

[mikecr]

Brisance is not the right term for primer flash/fire differences