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Posted: 12/16/2008 4:37:53 AM EDT
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So since it seems to be getting harder and harder to find primers now :/ and my reloading manuals don't look like they are going to ship this decade...I've got a question on primers:
Are Federal 205, 205m, Rem 7.5, WSR, CCI 41, 400 primers equally swappable more or less? Like in a pinch could I swap Fed 205 for WSR or CCI 41 if thats all I can get? Ya dumb noob question, I'm just trying to order some stuff. |
| As far as brissance (burn properties), they're similar enough that as long as you're not near a max powder charge, you'll be ok. As far as the hardness of the cups for safe use in an AR (slam fire danger), I know the Rem and CCI are good. I've never used the Federal or the new brass colored WSR, but I've heard they're both prone to slam fires and pierced primers. YMMV. |
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Quoted:
Are Federal 205, 205m, Rem 7.5, WSR, CCI 41, 400 primers equally swappable more or less? Like in a pinch could I swap Fed 205 for WSR or CCI 41 if thats all I can get? Primers are NOT equally swappable. We sort of go through this......a couple of times a week.........so, anyway........... Anytime, you don't exactly follow what THE BOOK says.......you take a chance. As you have noticed.........the BOOK specs what BRAND of: brass, primers, bullets, powder (and charge weight)......not to mention what brand and specs of the firearm they used........to test their load data. The BOOK will WARN that changing components is a bad idea. Not to mention, that different BOOKS have a different idea about WHAT IS SAFE and what is an acceptable level of SAFETY. So......IF you have a low tolerance for RISK......perhaps, you're better off going to the store and finding the components to match the BOOK. But, handloading is part experimentation. So......IF you have a little higher tolerance for RISK......perhaps, you could/would "take a calculated RISK" with a switch in components. Then, what are the risks? Read: How do changing various components affect chamber pressure and velocity? www.frfrogspad.com/miscelld.htm#components So, if you decide to go forward (with a primer switch)…….. RULE #1.........There is no spec for 100% uniformity over the industry (not counting size, within a small range). XYZ Brand vs. ABC Brand……….Mag. for Mag. or Standard for Standard, etc…. Also, even within a manufacturer, specs and raw materials may change over time. So, YMWV. RULE #2.........Start low and work your way up. Most books will spec a magnum primer with certain powders. So, you could just follow the book and buy the primer (std or mag) to match the powder. Then if, you’re worried about “slam fires” and if you have decide that a magnum primer is "better all around" for you (in spite of what the book may say about using a standard primer)…….well, you still have RULE #2. But note, what CCI says.......... CCI® No. 34 and No. 41 MILITARY RIFLE PRIMERS Military-style semi-auto rifles seldom have firing pin retraction springs. If care is not used in assembling ammunition, a “slam-fire” can occur before the bolt locks. The military arsenals accomplish this using different techniques and components—including different primer sensitivity specifications—from their commercial counterparts. CCI makes rifle primers for commercial sale that matches military sensitivity specs that reduce the chance of a slam-fire when other factors go out of control*. If you’re reloading for a military semi-auto, look to CCI Military primers. *Effective slam-fire prevention requires more than special primers. Headspace, chamber condition, firing pin shape and protrusion, bolt velocity, cartridge case condition, and other factors can affect slam-fire potential. So, there IS more to it. Hummm…..maybe, I should rethink this? Or, not? Anyway, decide: What’s best for YOU? Be Safe. Aloha, Mark |
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Quoted:
Whats screwing me at this point is what people have in stock. So right now I'm looking at this: CCI #41 Milspec primers Hog Vargat powder To be fired from a complete Larue rifle. A lot of folks are finding their favorite primer, "out of stock." So, IMHO......When all else fails........ Well, I've been known to switch brands and mag. for std. and/or vice versa. That's ME. BUT.......I always "work up" my NEW loads. Aloha, Mark |
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Thanks for the info.
So my potential load is looking like this: FC 08 Once fired Mil brass. Varget Powder CCI #41 5.56 mm MILITARY PRIMERS Horandy 75gr HPBT Match bullets I noticed on the tagged load archive at the top someone had something almost exact as that :) But ya I intend to work up the load, I'm just getting a little jumpy seeing everybody selling out of stuff, and my damn horandy manual won't be here for at least another week. |
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