Best small pistol primers?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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What do you guys recommend for small pistol primers? I have read many people that say they have found Federal to be the absolute best. I only have access to Federal, CCI, and Winchester (if there even are any other brands lol). Any recommendations?

They will be used with Titegroup for reloading 9mm to be shot through a Glock 17.

Thanks!
 
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I've used them all, with TG for my 9mm out of a G17.
They all go bang, and I don't see any real difference
between them +/-.
All I do see is the federals are just a wee bit softer.
I say this because my load stays the same and all I would
ever change is the primer and the Federals seem to 'squish'
fractionally more than the other two. Looks more like a pressure sign,
but it's not. My loads are below max.
 
Thanks for the reply withoutwarning! Winchester would be the easiest as I am already getting my powder and bullets from Higginson's, and the only small pistol primers they stock are Winchester.

How large a container of Titegroup should I get in order to load 1000 rds of 9mm? Wasn't sure if I should get the 12oz, 2lb, or 4lb container for 1000rds. I don't mind having extra left over, but I definitely don't want to be left short on powder.
 
I used to use CCI now I use WIN small and large pistol, mainly because thats what they had when I bought 5K. Now I can't find anymore...
 
"...large a container of Titegroup should I get..." Work up the load before you buy any component in bulk. Any can bigger than a pound will very likely be a special order through any retailer. Has to do with the storage rules they have to comply with.
"...to load 1000 rds of 9mm..." One pound will load over 1,000 with any bullet weight. Using a 115 grain bullet and a max load(don't just load at max though) a pound gives 1458 shots. Like SUPERMAG says, 7,000 divided by whatever powder charge you end up using. Remington UMC 115 grain ammo runs $15.95 per 50. 1,000 would cost you $319 plus taxes and shipping. And your pistol may not shoot it well. Kind of puts reloading into perspective.
There is no one 'best' primer.
 
The Federal primer cup is softer. As noted, it shows pressure earlier than otehrs. Ignition is a bit better. If you have a handgun that soemtimes missfires, a change to Federal might help.

Only downside is that the Feeral primer is easier to fire off in your priming tool. This is why Lee warns not to use Federal primers in an Autoprime.

I ignored this warning. Tool blew to pieces. Some were stuck in my gut.

My rule of thumb is to use CCi or Federal with extruded powders and Winchester standard with ball powders. I tested Winchester standard rifle primers against Federal match in 308 Win match ammo once. Results were about the same.
 
Don't know about Federal but the Win and CCI would be fine with Titegroup. Basically whatever you can get when you go. Some say CCI has a harder case and shouldn't be used with "modified" guns. Never had a problem even with my 1911 with the light springs, so basically whatever you can get a hold of at the time.

Higginson's has them in stock again? Really? KEWL! :)
 
I buy whatever is the cheapest. For awhile it was Federal, then Winchester became about $3/1000 cheaper, so that's what I use now. They both have worked well. I use Titegroup too.
 
Federal Primers use an old formula for priming compund and ignite faster - most are not convinced it has anything to do with hardness of the cup itself., but they do have a reputation of igniting when others won't. CCI primers have in the past given my Dillon fits. Right now with the apparent shortage of SPP I think it may come down to what you can get locally. HIgginson's is out of SSP and others have a limited selection. If you shoot ltos lay in a good supply.

Take Care

Bob
 
I use Federals exclusively and everything so far is accurate by me but I offer the following: Apparently (no I haven't checked) Winchester is the most common in USPSA.
 
For general pistol use it doesn't really matter. Get what is most available where you buy your components. Ask them what they always have on hand. I always found Winchester or Remington to be the most common in Southern Ontario.
 
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