Dominion Primers vs others in flame size (SPP)

Spawn-Inc

Spawn-Inc

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
68   0   0
Location
Ont
i ordered 5000 Domonion small pistol primer primers from Canada Ammo and did some testing to compare them to CCI, Federal and S&B (thought i had winchester as well but i don't or can't find them) in how "hot" they are and my impression of how hard the primers are.

setup/testing is as follows;

smith and wesson 586 6"
4 (same 4 cases) 38spl cases that have had the primer holes enlarged. i used the same 4 for each brand of primer
lighting was the same for every picture.

Dominion
Dominion_zps406d04cb.jpg


Federal
Fed_zps0b501500.jpg


S&B
SampB_zpsec8c8e7d.jpg


CCI
CCI_zpsc5b833f2.jpg





they seem to be about the same as federal when it comes to flame size based on the pictures. my 586 will only set off federal primers reliable, most others (cci, winchester, S&B) i will have the a light strike every 12 rounds give or take. i only tested dominion primers and 1 had to be hit twice to go off, the other 5 went of the first time. i should mention this is in double action, in single all primers go off the first time.


and on a side note i also ordered some berdan primers with intentions of reloading 7.5x55 gp11 brass. they are really intended for 7.62x39mm, but for the price i took a chance. i loaded up 10 empty cases and compared them to 5 factory primers and they are definitely under powered by comparison. i replaced the primer in 4 rounds of factory ammo to see how they work, but it won't be for a while until i can get to the range.
 
Hmmm very interesting Spawn-Inc, I am half and half right now on purchasing the Dominion small and large pistol primers. I use mostly CCI primers and looking at the ignition it makes me wonder if I would have to change things (or not) in terms of powder charge and seating depth.

I'd like to know how well the Dominion primers would do in semi-autos or striker fired pistols, reading about how you had to strike one primer twice is just making me a biiiit more hesitant to purchase these.
 
243pete said:
Hmmm very interesting Spawn-Inc, I am half and half right now on purchasing the Dominion small and large pistol primers. I use mostly CCI primers and looking at the ignition it makes me wonder if I would have to change things (or not) in terms of powder charge and seating depth.

I'd like to know how well the Dominion primers would do in semi-autos or striker fired pistols, reading about how you had to strike one primer twice is just making me a biiiit more hesitant to purchase these.
Click to expand...

I should have made it clearer but my 586 has a very light spring so in double action it light strikes, my mistake.

I have no doubts at all that in most guns with standard springs it will go off just fine. I have 100 rounds loaded in 9mm that I will test in 2 guns. I'm just a bit disappointed in the smaller flame.
 
Spawn-Inc said:
I should have made it clearer but my 586 has a very light spring so in double action it light strikes, my mistake.

I have no doubts at all that in most guns with standard springs it will go off just fine. I have 100 rounds loaded in 9mm that I will test in 2 guns. I'm just a bit disappointed in the smaller flame.
Click to expand...

Ah, no worries. I was wondering about that but thank you for clearing that up for me. :)

I'm interested (after reading on the CanAm thread) about your 9mm loads. I've run friends reloads in 9mm using 124 grain Berry's, 4.3 Hodgdon's Titegroup and Federal primers and they shoot about the same (just felt recoil as I haven't actually crono'ed any of the speed data to actually compare it.) as mine using a 124 grain Berry's, 4 Hodgdon's Titegroup and CCI primer.
Hope to hear more from you and the 9mm loads, if you mind me asking what pistol(s) are you running them with?
 
243pete said:
Ah, no worries. I was wondering about that but thank you for clearing that up for me. :)

I'm interested (after reading on the CanAm thread) about your 9mm loads. I've run friends reloads in 9mm using 124 grain Berry's, 4.3 Hodgdon's Titegroup and Federal primers and they shoot about the same (just felt recoil as I haven't actually crono'ed any of the speed data to actually compare it.) as mine using a 124 grain Berry's, 4 Hodgdon's Titegroup and CCI primer.
Hope to hear more from you and the 9mm loads, if you mind me asking what pistol(s) are you running them with?
Click to expand...

I would have used 135gr cast but I didn't feel like lubing them at the time so I used the bdx instead. 50 will be from a glock 17 and the other 50 from a Norinco np29. I also have 124gr and 147gr Berry's, 110gr SWC cast, 135gr RNFP cast, and some 158gr bullets meant for 357 but are all over the place weight and size wise.
 
I used a Nikon d600 on a long exposure on a tripod against a door. I had a it on a timer and fired when I heard the shutter open.

I'm hoping to get Winchester primers as I've heard by ganderite they are the hottest.
 
Thanks for the pics! I also ordered some of these primers (large rifle, large pistol and berdan). I was hoping to use the berdan in some 8mm mauser brass I have, hopefully they have enough juice to make them go pop. Unfortunately I'm low on powder so I won't be able to test them any time soon.
 
Spawn-Inc said:
Ahh, I thought you meant pistol as well. Looks like they are low powered in rifle as well. But I suspect for general plinking they will work great.
Click to expand...
I think you will find they work well for everything. The match guys have found them to be the most accurate production primers out there.
 
Excellent report. Thank you.

Two major variables in primers. The flash produced and the difficulty in setting the primer off. A revolver with a light hammer is required to detect sensitivity since most brands of primers will fire in any gun with a non-reduced striker spring. As your pictures show, there can be a big difference in flash. This is why Wnichester are better with hard-to-ignite ball powders.

I buy primers by the 5,000 case, and often buy multiple cases so my loads are with the same primer (and same lot#) for as long as possible. I have used multiple cases of Russian primers and liked them for everything except my mild 223 loads with ball powder. These pictures show why CCI magnum are better for the ball powder.


Russian small rifle
wlfsrprim.jpg


CCI Magnum small rifle
CCI450.jpg



If you want to take your own pictures, it is easy to do. A revolver or pistol is best. You can test both rifle and pistol primers in a handgun.

In the dark, with flash set to OFF push camera button half way until it gets the focus, the click the picture. The shutter will try to stay open for a very long time (no light). When you hear the camera shutter open, pull the trigger then let camera button go.

You need a camera with a focus light so it will focus in the dark. If you don't have this feature, have an assistant use a flashlight to allow you to get the focus locked in.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom