Question on Primers

[slinkylegs]

Right, so I have a question regarding load development and primer choice. I had always loaded my 204 with Federal GM205M, simply because they were available.

However, now I am planning to reload the 6.5 Grendel. I had planned on using the same primers because again, I have them. However, I'm hoping to get a fairly warm load with some Hammer bullets and 10x, and I'm wondering if moving to a different primer would be beneficial. The Federal primers are, to the best of my knowledge, softer than many others, so they will flatten quicker. A different primer might allow for a bit warmer load? Or am I overthinking things here?

 

[Denver Steve]

I think your overthinking it a bit for sure. The Grendel runs great with all small rifle primers in my experience.

I would however start your load a bit lighter and work back up with any change such as changing primers.

Certain ones do have quite a difference on flame temp, and a bit softer cup on the primer shouldn't be much of a issue unless your running a semi auto. Or your firing pin protrudes a bit further than it should. Then you might run into issues when pressures climb.

My howa mini Grendel loves the cheap S&B primers, and Fed205's.

 

[slinkylegs]

I think your overthinking it a bit for sure. The Grendel runs great with all small rifle primers in my experience.

I would however start your load a bit lighter and work back up with any change such as changing primers.

Certain ones do have quite a difference on flame temp, and a bit softer cup on the primer shouldn't be much of a issue unless your running a semi auto. Or your firing pin protrudes a bit further than it should. Then you might run into issues when pressures climb.

My howa mini Grendel loves the cheap S&B primers, and Fed205's.

I am going to be running a Howa 20" as well. How do you like it? The safety and magazine are the only two negatives I've seen in it so far.

Also, what kind of dies are you using? I got some Lee ones with the gun, but I've never used Lee before

 

[Hitzy]

Find an accurate load within reasonable pressure limits. Small case, can start getting real high pressure quick, no reason for that, need faster jump up to the Creedmore.

 

[Denver Steve]

I am just using the regular Hornady dies. Mine is actually a 22" regular barrel. I have used quite a few brands of brass, but use lapua brass for hunting.

It gets swapped between a oryx chassis, and it's regular stock. Shoots extremely well.

My son uses it for hunting, and the best hunting round I have found so far for it is the 129 grain accubond long range. I use H4895 for the powder for that load.

I also have a 6mm arc with the heavy, shorter, threaded barrel.