Large rifle vs. Large rifle magnum primers

Kingofalderwood

Kingofalderwood

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
WMU 73
So I was down seeing if Le Barons had any stuff left for reloading. Just boxes of magnum primers for rifles. So I picked up 3000. Now I reload for 300 win mag so I'm pretty much set for life. However what about using them for other cartridges? I have a 30-30 and a 243, Im figuring 1 to 1-1/2 grains less to compensate for the magnum primer. Or will it really matter?
Ive seen some comparisons where the increase in fps is less than 50 sometimes nothing.
Any opinions or has anyone actually tried this out?
 
What I've seen/tested/learned/won't do it again, by using large magnum primers (fed 215's) in smaller cases, 308 in my testing, is that even if you greatly reduce the loads, it'll still wreck brass/enlarge primer pockets. Seems to cause a pressure spike, little to no increase in velocity, and more bad than good. For me they'll remain for the magnum size cases and slower burn rate powders.

Now that was my experience with it, others seem to have used them and either had some luck or didn't notice problems.
 
In my Lyman and Speer manuals they have * next to any load with double base ball powders. And at the bottom of the page they have * Magnum primer used with this powder.

The manuals also tell you with large cases filled with slow burning powders to use a magnum primer

And all the ammunition loaded at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant has magnum primers.

I use magnum primers in all my 5.56 ammo and use hot spark plugs in my lawn mower to make sure it starts in cool weather. ;)

"BUT" spark plugs can fool you.

CCI BR4 Small Rifle
HeCXfQL.jpg


Remington 7.5 Small Rifle
mQ6hw4g.jpg


Federal 210m Large Rifle
C7YcuHn.jpg
 
If you have a large quantity of LRM primers, just use them for everything. Start at Start load, as per normal, and work up a good load.

If you want to see primers flash, as in BigEd's pictures, load them in a revolver, with just primed cases. Shoot them with the lights off, and you will see the flash.

If you want to take pictures of the flash, set your camera to No Flash. Let it focus on the gun, lock the focus by pushing trigger half way, then swing to muzzle area. Trip the shutter, then pull the trigger. because it is dark (lights off) the exposure will be long, so you have time to pull the trigger.

Remington 71/2
DSCN9288.jpg


S&B Small Pistol
DSCN9271.jpg
 
Last edited:
Nice pix!! I may just have to try it...

SND said:
What I've seen/tested/learned/won't do it again, by using large magnum primers (fed 215's) in smaller cases, 308 in my testing, is that even if you greatly reduce the loads, it'll still wreck brass/enlarge primer pockets. Seems to cause a pressure spike, little to no increase in velocity, and more bad than good. For me they'll remain for the magnum size cases and slower burn rate powders.

Now that was my experience with it, others seem to have used them and either had some luck or didn't notice problems.
Click to expand...
The are some good points to consider. I think Ill try to develop something. Start small though. Keep an eye on the primer pockets too. Thanks. Ill let you know how it goes.
 
Kingofalderwood said:
So I was down seeing if Le Barons had any stuff left for reloading. Just boxes of magnum primers for rifles. So I picked up 3000. Now I reload for 300 win mag so I'm pretty much set for life. However what about using them for other cartridges? I have a 30-30 and a 243, Im figuring 1 to 1-1/2 grains less to compensate for the magnum primer. Or will it really matter?
Ive seen some comparisons where the increase in fps is less than 50 sometimes nothing.
Any opinions or has anyone actually tried this out?
Click to expand...

On a side note how much did they end up costing per 1000?
 
I load 30-30, 7-08, & 350RM all with CCI 250(MAGNUM) primers. I used them all the way through load development. I'm over 5x on most brass with no problem. If you are using a completely different component you should go back to starting loads and work up again as was suggested as Ganderite suggested
 
wilbar said:
I load 30-30, 7-08, & 350RM all with CCI 250(MAGNUM) primers. I used them all the way through load development. I'm over 5x on most brass with no problem. If you are using a completely different component you should go back to starting loads and work up again as was suggested as Ganderite suggested
Click to expand...

Thanks. Thats what I'm leaning towards. Presently I've found a really nice recipe for my 30-30. Its about 2 grains less than max. I figure on dropping down by 1.5 grains and go from there. The .243 is a bit different. I'm about .5 grain from max.
Bottom line is, it'll be fun. Now Ive got a couple of new projects!
 
I've done it only because I had to. I worked up a load from act ratchet though.
In small cases I found velocities were inconsistent. Fine for shorter range hunting however point of impact varied wildly when shooting beyond 600 meters in my 243.
In small cases I use cci BR. I find that velocities are more consistent,even when compared to cci large rifle(200).
So if precision rifle fire is your goal then using a mag primer in a small case isn't going to give you the repeatable consistency required when 1/2 an inch matters.
But if your out chasing whitetails they'll be more than adequate.
 
Kingofalderwood said:
Thanks. Thats what I'm leaning towards. Presently I've found a really nice recipe for my 30-30. Its about 2 grains less than max. I figure on dropping down by 1.5 grains and go from there. The .243 is a bit different. I'm about .5 grain from max.
Bottom line is, it'll be fun. Now Ive got a couple of new projects!
Click to expand...

The 30-30 case is pretty small so if you're planning on starting to work up a new load that's probably the right course of action. The node will change because the barrel hatmonics won't be consistent due to the bigger bang the primer lets off.
I've got a 30-30. Mossberg I reload for.
Have you tried leverevolution powder for it. I use the 160 grain projectiles,the same that's in the factory cartridges.
That rifle prints 2 moa now whereas before my loads were minute of pie plate.
And I'm having real good luck with leverevolution powder in my 308. I'm really liking it in that cartridges but there's no published data for a 308.
I've used mag primers in my 243. As long as you start over your good. The node is going to change anyway so it you want the best accuracy you can get you'll want to work up a new load.
Gives you an excuse to go out shooting anyway.
 
Reading through this thread I have found some very interesting information, However...

I have a 7mm Rem Mag by Savage. Just had it gifted to me and want to know the difference between the magnum rifle primers and a CCI large rifle primer. I am only using this for deer and moose and would like to keep the loads reasonable. I also own a 7mm mauser which i already use the CCI large rifle primers in.

Question is, can I still use the CCI large rifle primers in the 7mm mag with no adverse side effects?
 
I tested the CCI 200 vs CCI 250 Magnum primer in a Tikka 7mm Rem Mag

Tried 5 different powders (IMR 7977, IMR 4831, RL22, RL23, and H4831sc). Below is an average of the results

Cold Weather (-15c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2761 fps, Standard deviation = 16 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2784 fps, SD = 26 fps

"Regular" weather (+13c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2774 fps, SD = 11 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2771 fps, SD = 13 fps

Hot weather (+29c)
CCI 200 - 2834 fps, SD = 13 fps
CCI 250 - 2830 fps, SD = 10 fps

I shot groups in the average and hot weather tests

Avgerage of 20 groups (3 shot 100y)
CCI 200 = 1.04moa
CCI 250 = 1.12moa


Based on my testing I would say the CCI 200 can be used with no adverse effects in any temperature
 
todbartell said:
I tested the CCI 200 vs CCI 250 Magnum primer in a Tikka 7mm Rem Mag

Tried 5 different powders (IMR 7977, IMR 4831, RL22, RL23, and H4831sc). Below is an average of the results

Cold Weather (-15c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2761 fps, Standard deviation = 16 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2784 fps, SD = 26 fps

"Regular" weather (+13c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2774 fps, SD = 11 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2771 fps, SD = 13 fps

Hot weather (+29c)
CCI 200 - 2834 fps, SD = 13 fps
CCI 250 - 2830 fps, SD = 10 fps

I shot groups in the average and hot weather tests

Avgerage of 20 groups (3 shot 100y)
CCI 200 = 1.04moa
CCI 250 = 1.12moa


Based on my testing I would say the CCI 200 can be used with no adverse effects in any temperature
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear. Now I don't have to purchase 3 different kinds of primers.
 
In my experience Fed 215 and WLRM are the "hottest" magnum primers, and CCI 250 the mildest.
Remington 9½ are "hot" as standard primers go, with CCI 200 and Fed 210 somewhat milder.
For hunting loads, I use Magnum primers for any load over 60 grains, and for all spherical powders.

I have used large pistol primers for 30-30 loads and they worked fine, as long as loads are sane...
but remember, the pistol primers are slightly "shorter" than are the rifle primers, so they sit slightly
deeper in the primer pocket. Dave
 
INTIMIDATOR said:
Reading through this thread I have found some very interesting information, However...

I have a 7mm Rem Mag by Savage. Just had it gifted to me and want to know the difference between the magnum rifle primers and a CCI large rifle primer. I am only using this for deer and moose and would like to keep the loads reasonable. I also own a 7mm mauser which i already use the CCI large rifle primers in.

Question is, can I still use the CCI large rifle primers in the 7mm mag with no adverse side effects?
Click to expand...

You did not mention what powder you load.

The fact that you do not load to the max makes it harder to get good ignition.

If you use a ball powder, i think you have to use the magnum primer. If you use 4831, it ignites ok with a stnd primer.
 
todbartell said:
I tested the CCI 200 vs CCI 250 Magnum primer in a Tikka 7mm Rem Mag

Tried 5 different powders (IMR 7977, IMR 4831, RL22, RL23, and H4831sc). Below is an average of the results

Cold Weather (-15c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2761 fps, Standard deviation = 16 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2784 fps, SD = 26 fps

"Regular" weather (+13c)
CCI 200 - avg speed 2774 fps, SD = 11 fps
CCI 250 - avg speed 2771 fps, SD = 13 fps

Hot weather (+29c)
CCI 200 - 2834 fps, SD = 13 fps
CCI 250 - 2830 fps, SD = 10 fps

I shot groups in the average and hot weather tests

Avgerage of 20 groups (3 shot 100y)
CCI 200 = 1.04moa
CCI 250 = 1.12moa


Based on my testing I would say the CCI 200 can be used with no adverse effects in any temperature
Click to expand...


Very interesting and useful, Thank you.

Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom