Primer quality, whats the difference?
- Thread starter savage M110 BAS
- Start date
I used to make ammo with Federal 210M (match) primers. I ordered 40,000 new match cases to be primed with them, but the primers were not available. I ordered Winchester standard LR primers to be installed instead.
When we tested the ammo, we found the velocity was about 25fps higher, but the ES and SD were about the same as what we expected with the Federal.
Match primers are more consistent, lot to lot, and make sense if you are looking for the best in accuracy or reliability.
But, the primer has to be suitable for the load. If I was loading ball powder, i would always use the standard Winchester instead of the Federal Match, because of better ignition.
When we tested the ammo, we found the velocity was about 25fps higher, but the ES and SD were about the same as what we expected with the Federal.
Match primers are more consistent, lot to lot, and make sense if you are looking for the best in accuracy or reliability.
But, the primer has to be suitable for the load. If I was loading ball powder, i would always use the standard Winchester instead of the Federal Match, because of better ignition.
Your asking a loaded question, caliber and cartridge combinations, type powder used all can effect ES and SD. Each test you see on primers will be diffrent and will be diffrent in your rifles, pick two or three brands and test them yourself, if you don't have a chronograph your just wasting powder.
I have been using Remington primers after reading The Rifleman's Journal article in my AR15. This is because of the flash photo you will see below, cup thickness and reading other information. At accurate shooter.com some of the shooter are saying good things about Wolf primers and you could get a headache worrying over all the brands.
Primers and Pressure Analysis
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/
(page down on link below, it has a large section on primers)
The Rifleman's Journal
Index of Articles
http://riflemansjournal.########.com/p/articles-index.html
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRIMER - A PRIMER ON PRIMERS
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=56422.0
I have been using Remington primers after reading The Rifleman's Journal article in my AR15. This is because of the flash photo you will see below, cup thickness and reading other information. At accurate shooter.com some of the shooter are saying good things about Wolf primers and you could get a headache worrying over all the brands.
Primers and Pressure Analysis
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/
(page down on link below, it has a large section on primers)
The Rifleman's Journal
Index of Articles
http://riflemansjournal.########.com/p/articles-index.html
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRIMER - A PRIMER ON PRIMERS
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=56422.0
Last edited:
caperbound
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
If you are a pro and you have very small parameters to work with, there is a difference...but if you are someone like me, I am the limiting factor of accuracy irregarless of the primer/powder/bullet choice. Buy the cheapest of whatever is in stock.
When prices aren't inflated by shortages, the difference is something like $4 per thousand on the Federals. Its hard to get too bent out of shape over 20 bucks a 5000/case. It would cost more than 20 bucks to prove whether it matters or not.
Here in the U.S. from WWII till 1985 Remington was in charge of production of ammunition at our Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, "BUT" Remington primers had to ignite the ball powder that the Army used. Bottom line, Remington primers are on the warm side and work well in cold weather which you Canadians have plenty of.
