Primers

[scrufff0]

Currently I use Winchester WSP primers for my pistol loads.Does anyone know of a primer with a softer striking area? I'm having a bit of a problem with primers I think and I want to try a softer one,,if there is such a thing?

 

[HIGHRPM]

CCI and Federal are both softer. The Win primers are the hottest with the hardest cup.

 

[daBear]

Federal are the softest of the group. I think u will find CCI hardest, followed by Winchester then Federal.
Cheers
dB

 

[jporietis]

i agree rederal are the softest, followed by winchester with CCI being the hardest

 

[nuke]

hey , federal is a good choice ,the softest i think and a great primer . i have tryed different primers for testing ,but have been using federal for 30 years . hope this helps

 

[paperslayer]

CCI and Federal are both softer. The Win primers are the hottest with the hardest cup.

You have this reversed. CCI are Hardest and hottest

 

[LUTNIT]

I've never seen a Federal primer not flatten after firing; even with moderate loads. I'd definitely say it's the softest.
I've had problems with Win primers not igniting reduced loads for cast bullet shooting before. No such issue with CCI.

Someone here on CGN did a test a little while ago testing primers in a dark room with a camera (only primers loaded into empty cases). Don't remember who it was by I believe Wolf and CCI had the biggest flames by far.

All I know is I refuse to use Win primers anymore because they can't reliably ignite reduced powder charges.
If your firing pin isn't hitting the primer hard enough to set it off reliably you may have other problems.

 

[Tex Critter]

i agree rederal are the softest, followed by winchester with CCI being the hardest

quoted for truth.

 

[Ganderite]

Federal is the easiest to ignite. it uses a different priming composition than the others.

if your gun is a revolver, it might have an adjustment screw to increase the hammer strength.

 

[harbl_the_cat]

Federal - just look at their packaging.

I just bought 5000 primers, but the company I bought them from mistakingly gave me Federal's instead of the CCI's I ordered. I was able to exchange them though and the difference is REALLY pronounced. The box of Federal primers was shipped with 3 times as much packaging as the box of CCI's.

Be warned, Lee doesn't recommend using Federal's with their Pro 1000 progressive press. There's quite a few threads with pictures showing why: exploding presses with chain detonations. Ouch!