Which primer for which powder?

[tonyb]

I have seen that there are many people out there that pretty much have a set primer for the powder they use. How is this determined, and what are your suggestions for powder/primer combinations.

I use the following powders in 6 br's:

AA-2520
AA-2460
H-322
H-4895
H-Varget

Any help on the above powders, or any powder for that matter is welcomed. I realize that the rifle will tell you the powder/primer combo it likes best, but just looking for anything obvious that members have found.

Thanks in advance,

Tony.

 

[Larryh128]

I only have experience with varget & 4895. I use the standard primers or BR primers on both of these powders. Generally, I use magnum primers with ball powders OR in large capacity cases such as 300 WSM & up. Some people use magnum primers in very cold weather (hunting) situations. Ball powders are harder to ignite so the mag primers work very well.

 

[Taildrag15X]

CCI-450 and Br-4

 

[artbosco]

... what are your suggestions for powder/primer combinations?

Tony

Go here: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/

Page down to Favorite Recipes

I highly recommend sticking with the tried, competitive, and world record setting load data presented there. The exact powder, brass, bullet, and primer combinations.

The science has already been performed for you, by some of the world's best shooters, and it doesn't get any easier than that. Keep it Simple!

 

[2506]

Standard rule is use a mag primer with ball powder and standard with stick powders until you get over 60 grs. Exceptions always rule though. I have a load with IMR 4350 49 grs for my 25-06 that shoots the most accurate with CCI250 mag primers. Experimentation is the only way to REALLY know which make and strength primer to use in your firearm.

 

[alf]

what are your suggestions for powder/primer combinations.

I use nothing but 205 M's for competition and 7 1/2's for play in all my Dashers.

Check out any Benchrest match report, and 205's are the run away favorite for a reason........

 

[357Mag]

Tony -

Howdy !

I myself, try out as many different primers as I can, for my precision rifle loads.

In one example, a good grouping load I was shooting in a .224" cal wildcat, shrunk even tighter when the only load change made was switch from FED LR Magnum Match, to FED LR Match. This varmint/target load also dropped in vel from 3,500fps honest, to 3,420.... all from a simple primer switch ( within the same " Brand " ). I was able to accept the small vel change for my rifle' application, and the extra
bit of " precision " accuracy was well received.

Even when working up loads for my Marlin M-336XLR .35 Rem, I was able to tell a difference in results
( repeatable ) that accompanied switch in primers... all other load details remaining the same.
In that instance, Rem 91/2s edged-out all others; including straight Rem #9s.
Same primer-induced load improvement results held true during load work-up for my 6mm wildcat.
And, all that load work did not invovle a huge number of fired cases. Certainly, not so many that I felt
I was needlessly runnin' life off the barrel(s) !

My point: Be open to the notion of trying varying primers, especially when/if wildcatting.
The end-results can prove more than worth it !

With regards,
357Mag

 

[spclark]

Not so much which primer for what powder in a given cartridge but which primers work best overall?

For small rifle my first choice is Wolf/Tula KVB-223REM: small rifle standard charge but a magnum cup to resist blanking or cratering.

Then CCI's BR-4, then Federal 205M.

I'll always choose accuracy over speed and/or price. Accuracy is what counts most IMHO.

 

[tonyb]

Thanks to all of you for your much appreciated responses. I will do some more this week and report back.

Tony.

 

[louielouie]

I've found two interesting sites about primers - one an informal test of various primers http://www.castingstuff.com/primer_testing_reference.htm and a technical test of when to switch to a different primer. The interesting thing here is that the case capacity was less than 45 gr but the slow powder still needed a hotter primer.