Bruiseleee
CGN Regular
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- Too paranoid to say
Is it true that federal primers are more prone to slamfires or is this just one of thems internet legends?
I gots ta know.
I gots ta know.
Federal primers and slamfires...
- Thread starter Bruiseleee
- Start date
If you ever let the (M1/M14/AR-15/SKS/AK*) bolt slam home on a already-chambered factory-loaded cartridge with a commercial primer, chances are good that you will produce a dimple on your primer. Add that to a poorly-reloaded high-primer and guess what?
Scott Duff says that CCI makes a harder-cup primer for military rifles and, if one reloads, that it might be a safer alternative.
*Some variant bolt designs are not prone to this condition.
Scott Duff says that CCI makes a harder-cup primer for military rifles and, if one reloads, that it might be a safer alternative.
*Some variant bolt designs are not prone to this condition.
Bruiseleee
CGN Regular
- Location
- Too paranoid to say
I reckon I'll have to try it myself if no one has ever seen this first hand.
How's this setup sound? I'll put in a federal primed 30-06 as the last round in a garand en-bloc and see what happens. Sounds relatively safe.
How's this setup sound? I'll put in a federal primed 30-06 as the last round in a garand en-bloc and see what happens. Sounds relatively safe.
I reckon I'll have to try it myself if no one has ever seen this first hand.
How's this setup sound? I'll put in a federal primed 30-06 as the last round in a garand en-bloc and see what happens. Sounds relatively safe.
I'd suggest you don't...
ok i was wondering why the cci/winchester only warning on the lee reloading press. now i know....dammit i bought federal too... i guess i shouldnt anounce that im a newb in the reloading store...... suuuurrrreeee we can fix you up with primers....errrrrrr
They'll work fine in a lee, althought you might want the 'blast shield' if it's a Loadmaster.
Soft primers are a good thing in some applications, like revolvers, They're just not good with a semi and an uncaptured firing pin.
Soft primers are a good thing in some applications, like revolvers, They're just not good with a semi and an uncaptured firing pin.
ok i was wondering why the cci/winchester only warning on the lee reloading press. now i know....dammit i bought federal too... i guess i shouldnt anounce that im a newb in the reloading store...... suuuurrrreeee we can fix you up with primers....errrrrrr
Federals are damn good primers, just not the best for semi autos.
well that is just ###, i told the guy it was for my ar15. he grabbed those ones. doubtful i can return them either hey?
thanks gatehouse. it is a lee loadmaster press, and it says not to use anything but cci/winchester. i guess for the smush factor on the priming? yeah shield would be nice, but i think i will bring them back. they werent cheap, i paid 38$ plus taxes.
Bruiseleee
CGN Regular
- Location
- Too paranoid to say
I have a big box o' Federals too. I guess I could use em' in a bolt gun eventually.
Thanks for the replies. You've perhaps saved at least one of my nine lives.
Thanks for the replies. You've perhaps saved at least one of my nine lives.
If you talk to the commercial reloader guys ( bdx, wolff ect.) they will likly try to discourage you from using a ferderal sp primer in a semi auto. They will probly try to steer you towards a cci or winchester for a semi.
ok i was wondering why the cci/winchester only warning on the lee reloading press. now i know....dammit i bought federal too... i guess i shouldnt anounce that im a newb in the reloading store...... suuuurrrreeee we can fix you up with primers....errrrrrr
It isn't the hardness/softness of the shot cup that causes Lee to make that advisory. Lee explains that it is the different compositions of the priming compounds that - in Lee's opinion - make Federal primers less suitable for use with Lee tools.
"...CCI No. 34 'arsenal' primers ..." They are a marketing gimmick. They're nothing more than a magnum rifle primer. The cup isn't harder either. Good for cold weather shooting, but otherwise are not necessary. Regular large rifle primers work just fine in any semi-auto. If you're using milsurp brass, make sure the primer pocket crimp is completely removed.
Slamfires are caused by poorly loaded ammo, not the rifle. Primers seated high is the usual cause. Federal or otherwise.
Slamfires are caused by poorly loaded ammo, not the rifle. Primers seated high is the usual cause. Federal or otherwise.
It's certainly true that high primers can slamfire - it's also true that Federals are softer and will, with an uncaptured firing pin in a semi, be relatively likely to slamfire, high or not.
Or in a Freedom Arms .454 casull, too f**king soft. They flow into the firing pin hole and makes it hard to rotate the cylinder, luckily only reloaded a few hot loads with Federal, primers, use as mention Winchester or CCI. Funny their rifle brass is soft too.
Federals produce an excellent magnum primer. I use them on just about all of my reloading because they provide a good hot ignition. My next choice would be CCI. The Federal is a little more touchy because it is softer than CCI, and better loaded by press (RCBS) than hand priming tool, as it allows for seating on the upswing giving a better feel for when it is properly seated.
I don't use a semi-auto weapon so can't really comment on it's suitability there.
I don't use a semi-auto weapon so can't really comment on it's suitability there.
