primer question-newb

amber2010

amber2010

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I've been looking into re loading and hope to get into it soon. Most information I read so far makes sense. One thing I am surprised about is how they classify primer sizes. The description of small pistol,large pistol,small rifle etc leaves me not 100% sure which primer to use. Who defines what a small rifle or a large rifle/primer is? Like how do I know what primer to use on a 30-06? What about an 8mm mauser. Is there not some specific chart to confirm this. I have to admit that my information so far has come from online sources. Do most re loading manuals (of course I will get one before starting) provide that information?
Thanks
 
All manuals will tell you what primers they use. You could also check SAAMI drawings which will give you the measurement of the primer pocket.

Example

saami-example.gif
 
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Your 30-06 takes large rifle. So does a 8mm Mauser. Large and small refers to the physical dimensions of the primer, not someone's assessment of whether a cartridge is large or small.

Pistol primers have the same large and small dimensions as the rifle primers, just a milder charge and softer cup.

Any reloading manual with tell you which primer to use, but honestly if you look and compare you'll be able to see the difference a mile away.
 
Any reloading manual will state what primer they are using for their load data. A 30.06 takes a large rifle primer same as an 8mm. Magnum primers are large rifle primers, usually restricted for magnum cartridges but not exclusively. Small rifle primers are typically for 223, 22-250 etc. If you are new to reloading you want to stick to the data provided in the manuals...buy a couple of them and read them, they usually explain things pretty well.
Have fun and play safe.
You won't likely save any money but you will shoot more for the same money.
 
Reloading manual will usually say. Some rules of thumb though

Large rifle has a greater diameter than small rifle
Large pistol has a greater diameter than small pistol
Rifle primers are taller(require a deeper pocket) than pistol primers
Magnum and match are the same size as their regular counterparts
Pistol primers are made of softer material.
Except for match and magnum, none interchange, do not use pistol primers in rifle applications and vice versa (some exceptions do occur see your manual)
Do not swith primer types or brands without working up new loads, overpressure may occur!
Mil spec (CCI #34) have a very hard cup (please let me know if you find these, I want some!)

ht tp://www.chuckhawks.com/primers.htm has some good information!

Congrats on not making the first mistake of reloading, not asking if you do not know!
 
amber2010 said:
I've been looking into re loading and hope to get into it soon. Most information I read so far makes sense. One thing I am surprised about is how they classify primer sizes. The description of small pistol,large pistol,small rifle etc leaves me not 100% sure which primer to use. Who defines what a small rifle or a large rifle/primer is? Like how do I know what primer to use on a 30-06? What about an 8mm mauser. Is there not some specific chart to confirm this. I have to admit that my information so far has come from online sources. Do most re loading manuals (of course I will get one before starting) provide that information?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Thanks CGNers.
 
Once you know exactly what size primers you need, I recommend looking at Canada Ammo.
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/byCategory/ammunition/?manufacturer=2

They have their Dominion Arms brand primers (made by Murom out of Russia)in stock for roughly half the price of some other brands. You can probably get a case of 5000 for $150. If you order more than $200 worth of stuff you get free shipping too!

One note, there are two main styles of primers; Boxer which is the "normal" kind for North American ammo these days. These primers are for use with cases that have a single flash hole, which is pretty much everything.

Then there are also Berdan primers, these use different flash hole configurations, and you can damage your decapping rod if you try to use it to pop out a Berdan primer. Mostly you see these from old eastern European ammo.

Happy reloading! If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. We would rather see a hundred "what is..." threads than one saying "My gun exploded and four fingers needed to be amputated."

My personal recommendation is to get one manual from whoever manufactures your bullets/case, and one from whoever manufactures your powder. That, combined with what is available online such at at hodgdon's data center, will give you a good selection of information to compare.
 
OP

If I might make a suggestion. Pick yourself up a copy of the Lyman reloading manual. It is a great manual which explains a lot for a new reloader. It was the first manual I had years ago and really helped with all the confusion I started with. Lee is another good one to look at for a newbie as well as "The abc's of reloading"
Just keep reading and asking questions. Look at getting the essentials together so you can put the reading into practise. It will make more sense when you start taking the steps to reload your own.

Oh and go slow, be careful, and have fun. I bet once you start you'll be hooked like the rest of us.
 
amber2010 said:
I've been looking into re loading and hope to get into it soon. Most information I read so far makes sense. One thing I am surprised about is how they classify primer sizes. The description of small pistol,large pistol,small rifle etc leaves me not 100% sure which primer to use. Who defines what a small rifle or a large rifle/primer is? Like how do I know what primer to use on a 30-06? What about an 8mm mauser. Is there not some specific chart to confirm this. I have to admit that my information so far has come from online sources. Do most re loading manuals (of course I will get one before starting) provide that information?
Thanks
Click to expand...

One more question. Are dies from lee and RCBS and other manufacturs interchangeable? In other words can a RCBS die work in a Lee press?
 
amber2010 said:
One more question. Are dies from lee and RCBS and other manufacturs interchangeable? In other words can a RCBS die work in a Lee press?
Click to expand...

For the most part. I can confirm that the Hornady Lock N Load bushings are incompatible with the Lee quick change bushing style. Also, some of the shellholders are not compatible will certain things such as the Hornady electric trimmer.

It's hit and miss, some components interchange fine, others have problems, and sometimes certain parts are just about impossible to find. As far as I am aware, all the dies should work in all the presses.
 
amber2010 said:
One more question. Are dies from lee and RCBS and other manufacturs interchangeable? In other words can a RCBS die work in a Lee press?
Click to expand...

I use RCBS and Forster dies in my lee press with the quick change collar doodads. Most of the time they work. The only reason why I have these dies is just because of opportunity and pricing etc...... and because Forster micrometer seaters kick ar$e for seating consistency.
 
7/8-14 threaded dies are 100% interchangeable.

Do your self a favour as a newbie and stay away from lock n' load type quick change stuff and progressive or turret press.
Pick up an "O" frame type press. Lymann Orange crusher II as an example. This type of press is a no fuss no muss press that can do everything you need, full length resize of even the largest cases, bullet seating and primer seating, forming procedures and even sizing of cast bullets for advanced users. These types of shell holders are also interchangeable.

Lock n load dies are 7/8-14 threaded but require a lock n load bushing in addition to each die.
Learning how to set up dies is a must for a newbie. Repetition is the best teacher.
 
MAGNUM PRIMERS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGNUM CARTRIDGES OR THE CARTRIDGE NAME!!!! They're about the powder used only.
SAAMI is the Sporting Arms and Ammuntion Manufacturer's Institute. They're the organization that sets the standards for dimensions in all things firearm manufacturing related. As mentioned, your manual will tell you which primer to use.
"Mil Spec" CCI primers are nothing more than a marketing gimmick for magnum primers. They are made no differently than any other primer.
 
1. The front part of your reloading manuals are a wealth of information......read them.
2. The individual reloading pages in your manuals list the type primer used.

sierra223ar_zps48d02228.jpg


Make and sizes of rifle primers.

calhoonprimers02_zpsb8295b11.png


Google is your best friend, it will take you to all the information in the internet world.

http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/primers/primer_chart.htm

primerchart_zps10eed525.jpg


Not all primer are created equal.

5Remington75_zps2b532d7c.jpg


3CCIBR4_zpsa43a3c3a.jpg


1Federal205M_zpsa4b4dbfe.jpg


Below, what happens when you mix raw linseed oil and Remington 7 1/2 primers in the cattle feed.

cow_zps8715d784.jpg
 
sunray said:
MAGNUM PRIMERS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGNUM CARTRIDGES OR THE CARTRIDGE NAME!!!! They're about the powder used only.
SAAMI is the Sporting Arms and Ammuntion Manufacturer's Institute. They're the organization that sets the standards for dimensions in all things firearm manufacturing related. As mentioned, your manual will tell you which primer to use.
"Mil Spec" CCI primers are nothing more than a marketing gimmick for magnum primers. They are made no differently than any other primer.
Click to expand...

Not according to CCI/Speer

CCI:
Hello,
Could you please tell me what the difference is between the CCI 400 primer and the CCI 41 primer? Does the 41 primer have a thicker/harder cup and less sensitive priming compound then the 400 primer?

Response:
A CCI 400 is our 'standard strength' of small rifle primer.

A CCI #41 primer is a 'magnum' strength of primer, equivalent to our CCI 450 Small Magnum rifle primer, ballistically. The #41 primer also has a feature to help lessen the chance of a slam fire in semi-auto types of firearms. This feature is that there is more distance between the tip of the anvil and the bottom of the cup, creating a slightly less sensitive primer. The #41 primer also has a thicker bottom on the cup than the CCI 400 primer.

Linda Olin
CCI/Speer Technical Services
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
Click to expand...
 
'Boo said:
:puke::puke::puke:


Once again your knowledge on the subject is astounding! So astounding in fact it make me want to :puke:
Click to expand...

Forrest Gumpisms = Stupid is as stupid does......................and sunray says a lot of stupid things.

CCI "milspec" primers have a shorter anvil in the primer which requires more force to set it off..............."BUT"

When Remington and Winchester ran our American Lake City Army Ammunition Plant they didn't use CCI primers.

And Remington used their 7 1/2 primer to light off the Winchester ball powders in our 5.56 military ammunition. And Remington primers are also known as "mini flame throwers".........................

5Remington75_zps2b532d7c.jpg


Someone hit sunray on the head with a ball peen hammer and see if it leaves an impression on his mind.
 
Diablo7101 said:
Any reloading manual will state what primer they are using for their load data. A 30.06 takes a large rifle primer same as an 8mm. Magnum primers are large rifle primers, usually restricted for magnum cartridges but not exclusively. Small rifle primers are typically for 223, 22-250 etc. If you are new to reloading you want to stick to the data provided in the manuals...buy a couple of them and read them, they usually explain things pretty well.
Have fun and play safe.
You won't likely save any money but you will shoot more for the same money.
Click to expand...

Am I ever glad read this...and to think all this time I've been using large rifle primers in my 22-250
 
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