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Posted: 8/29/2011 7:04:37 AM EDT
| What can you all tell me about using Federal primers? My local shop only carries Federal and Winchester. Unfortunately, I picked up a ton of Federals prior to reading my LEE reloading manual. I am using a Lee press with press mounted priming system. The Lee manual says not to use Federal primers with its auto prime. I assume this applies to the press mounted mechanism as well? I've also heard that Federal primers are a no-no in the AR15-AR10 platforms. Did I waste my money, or can I load a single primer at a time on my press? Anyone use these primers on an AR15/10 without contention? Thanks |
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I've never had a problem with Federal primers in any seating system. The warning that applies to Federal primers and the AR group of rifles is a softer primer cup/sensitivity which could lead to a slam fire. I would be pretty cautious if you went ahead and used them. And be prepared for the possibility that the rifle may go FA/burst a few rounds any time the bolt slams home.
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I, personally, have had no issues with Federal primers in an auto feed progressive press setup, a hand priming solution, or a single stage press setup. I keep everything nice and clean and don't rush/stop when I feel something isn't right.
Federal primers are consider more sensitive by most. If you are uncomfortable with that remmy/cci primers would be the way to go. This advice is worth what you paid for it. 
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Federal is about all I use( cause its all people seem to have in stock around here). As others have mentioned above they are considered soft and can lead to a slam fire since the AR 10/15 have floating firing pins, however I haven't had any problems.
For what its worth I also load on a Lee equipment. |
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Just like you have heard, the Fed primers are really top notch in terms of performance, however the warnings are not without some merit.
The warnings all have to do with the sensitivity to being deformed more easily relative to some applications or loading methods. The difference isn't easy to put into a system of measure, however, values for the energy of a pin during a slam fire can be estimated since the velocity can be measured and we know the weight of the pin. The Fed primers are allegedly low on that relative scale apparently due to the hardness of the cup and details of construction and composition. The amount of kinetic energy in the pin can be estimated, then the level to set off a primer can be ranked. While Fed primers are alleged to be low on this scale, that data seems to be difficult to come by. I am sure there is significant dispersion in the data, but I don't doubt one could start a ranking system in order to set specifications. Fully automatic weapons as well as semi-automatic weapons have requirements for minimum resistance to the kinetic strike of the bolt being slammed. That little dimple could be enough to set off primers if the levels are high or the sensitivity is too low. The same effects are the cause of the warnings on loading methods. For example, if the priming system is putting stresses on the cup and it deforms to the point where it may be set off. If the Lee folks do not recommend their machines with these primers, I would pay attention. Several posts on here relate to the drama of primer ignition during progressive reloading and the danger is real. The Dillon machines are designed to mitigate the risks of injury when it happens as an example. Normal insertion as well as what happens in an abnormal insertion must be considered. In any case, it is wise to follow their advise in this case since you have easy options. You can use your Fed primers for bolt guns in the short term, or trade them off since they are popular enough. I have no issues using them, but only experience with your loading and weapons can tell you if this is too much risk. |
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Quoted:
Federal is about all I use( cause its all people seem to have in stock around here). As others have mentioned above they are considered soft and can lead to a slam fire since the AR 10/15 have floating firing pins, however I haven't had any problems. For what its worth I also load on a Lee equipment. Do you load the primers one at a time or use the press mounted feeder? Thanks |
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Federal Primers, in my opinion and 25 years of reloading, are the best in terms of accuracy and consistency. Having said that though, I don't use them in my AR's at all anymore. I use Winchester SR or Remington 7 1/2's.
I've never had a problem with a slam-fire but the dimple from the floating firing pin is more noticible on the Federals if used in an AR. Much less so with the Win or Rem primers. Although I've never statistically counted the number, when I've used Federals in my AR's in previously fired brass, I have noticed a higher number of blown primers and notice that they seem "looser" in the primer pockets when seating them compared to other brands. CCI has a semi-auto specific primer, #41 I think, which is supposed to be very hard and made for semi-auto use. I've seen them but never used them. Federals will work, just monitor them and use good judgement. Good luck! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Federal is about all I use( cause its all people seem to have in stock around here). As others have mentioned above they are considered soft and can lead to a slam fire since the AR 10/15 have floating firing pins, however I haven't had any problems. For what its worth I also load on a Lee equipment. Do you load the primers one at a time or use the press mounted feeder? Thanks I use the press mounted feeder, I'm not crazy about it and have been thinking of swtiching to hand priming. |
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I've loaded a few thousand for 223 because they are all that is available locally. I've had nothing but excellent results.
It would be prudent to assume a slam fire possibility with any primer you load into an AR. And I believe a slam fire has occurred with the federal primers, otherwise the stereotype that they are bad in an AR wouldn't be around. I also think that in the lawsuit happy USA, if it were really an issue they would have pulled them already or the box would say, "DO NOT USE IN AN AR STYLE RIFLE." Or something to that effect. Upon switching to 5000 wolf primers this last go round, the only thing I've gotten over the Federals are failure to fire with good primer strikes. 
If 205s are all you can get locally, use some and see. Always follow gun safety and keep it unloaded unless you're ready to shoot and only point the gun at things you intend to shoot. I have a feeling you will have no issues whatsoever... |
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I use a Lee hand priming tool for all my reloading.
I used Federal primers when I can't get something else but that is due to that darn big ass box they put them in. The box is so large they don't drop into a priming tray very well so I decided to quit using them. I've been using them in AR15's with no issues (so far) and I used to use them in my M1A (no issues there either) as at the time that was all that was available locally (back before the internet). |
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