Hollow Point
CGN Regular
- Location
- New Brunswick
Anyone using small rifle primer brass in 6.5 creedmoor or 308? other than easier to find primers what are the pros and cons of using this brass?
Small primer brass in 308 and 6.5
- Thread starter Hollow Point
- Start date
That's the selling point for me. SRP are a lot cheaper and a lot more available than LRP
Should get a few more reloads out of them, primer pockets shouldn't stretch as fast.
Some guns don't like them however, depending on the firing pin size and bolt face hole/chamfer
can cause pierced primers in warm loads. Depending on the rifle a pierced primer can be no big deal, or a face full of gas and brass.
Bergara had a recall on their rifles due to this very issue, the bolt shrouds were coming apart on pierced primers with standard cartridges using small rifle primers. They have fixed the issue, but just something to be aware of.
Some guns don't like them however, depending on the firing pin size and bolt face hole/chamfer
can cause pierced primers in warm loads. Depending on the rifle a pierced primer can be no big deal, or a face full of gas and brass.
Bergara had a recall on their rifles due to this very issue, the bolt shrouds were coming apart on pierced primers with standard cartridges using small rifle primers. They have fixed the issue, but just something to be aware of.
I've been running Federal SRP 6.5CM in a Sig Cross for a while now. I've been loading to the "top of the tables" to compensate for the short barrel (18") on the Cross. No issues whatsoever with primers (CCI SRP), primer pockets or anything else. I've not found any significant differences in velocities between SRP and LRP cases using the same powder charges. Everything is within normal standard deviation.
I haven't delved into 308 SRP brass simply because I haven't found any through my usual sources.
I haven't delved into 308 SRP brass simply because I haven't found any through my usual sources.
Use CCI450 magnum primers and you should be OK with the 6.5CM
I was gifted 50 pieces of small rifle unfired 6.5CM brass last spring. The fellow ordered the wrong number from the site.
I usually use magnum primers for everything but for these I wanted to see the difference in ES between the CCI400 and CCI450 on a larger case than the normal 223Rem
The powder used was Superformance and the charge was 42.0 grains.
Bullet was 129 grain Hornady IL #2620
The ES using the CCI450 was around 35fps with that charge and the most accurate load.
The ES using the CCI400 primers was around 65fps and accuracy would have been acceptable at reasonable hunting distances but not as good, with the same load of Superformance, as the CCI450
This was done during early April, shortly after receiving the rifle. Temps were in the low teens, which wouldn't have any noticeable effect on Superformance powder.
I also used a powder I have a lot of on hand, WC867, which is nothing more than the old H450, which I really like.
My rifle groups with this powder and CCI450 primers and the Hornady 129 IL better than any other combination.
Both standard ES levels were almost identical with this powder but velocities with the CCI400 primers were appx 50fps slower on average.
I was gifted 50 pieces of small rifle unfired 6.5CM brass last spring. The fellow ordered the wrong number from the site.
I usually use magnum primers for everything but for these I wanted to see the difference in ES between the CCI400 and CCI450 on a larger case than the normal 223Rem
The powder used was Superformance and the charge was 42.0 grains.
Bullet was 129 grain Hornady IL #2620
The ES using the CCI450 was around 35fps with that charge and the most accurate load.
The ES using the CCI400 primers was around 65fps and accuracy would have been acceptable at reasonable hunting distances but not as good, with the same load of Superformance, as the CCI450
This was done during early April, shortly after receiving the rifle. Temps were in the low teens, which wouldn't have any noticeable effect on Superformance powder.
I also used a powder I have a lot of on hand, WC867, which is nothing more than the old H450, which I really like.
My rifle groups with this powder and CCI450 primers and the Hornady 129 IL better than any other combination.
Both standard ES levels were almost identical with this powder but velocities with the CCI400 primers were appx 50fps slower on average.
I tried Lapua small primer brass in my F Class rifle. Never found any advantage; but accuracy went down in cool weather with 205Ms and S&Bs. It was a short lived experiment; but enough to Know I was barking up the wrong tree.
Why even bother . Cadex knows BEST . JMO RJ
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I've been using SRP in 6.5CM and .308 for years . R700 Milspec Gen2 .308 , Savage Elite Precision .308 , Tikka CTR SE 6.5CM . Zero issues with functionality or accuracy . I've shot these rifles out to 705 yards with pretty much max loads in temps ranging from +25C - -25C . Shooter is the limiting factor . Zero durability concerns from me . All rifles are WELL under 1/2 MOA ( 5 shot groups @200M off a bipod ) . I have zero reasons to NOT use SRP considering the scarcity of LRP .
Hahaha
Just got an email from Cadex this am with basically: yea we recommend LR primers, and here is why, but you should be okay with factory ammo, or staying within SAAMI spec. Yep, I don't hot load, I load for accuracy not speed.
Now in the hunt for small primer brass, and getting a stock of small primers.
Sold off all the big boomers this year. I like to shoot 1000+ rounds a year and generally like to have at least a couple years supply of components. With magnum powder, large rifle primers and heavier bullets going up 200-400% over the last few years, or not even available at all, it made the decision easy. I still had a couple of years worth, but I wasn’t prepared to stress about something that is supposed to be relaxing.
I was able to basically trade 1000 large rifle magnum primers for 4000 cci 450 primers and 1lb h1000 to 2 lb non magnum powder.
I’ll keep a few hundred lr primers for hunting ammo, but that’s about it.
I was able to basically trade 1000 large rifle magnum primers for 4000 cci 450 primers and 1lb h1000 to 2 lb non magnum powder.
I’ll keep a few hundred lr primers for hunting ammo, but that’s about it.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Some action manfs will use a slightly different firing pin and/or pin clearances in the bolt face. That can lead to severe cratering and/or pierced primers when using SRPs at elevated pressures. Best to check your specific action and see if an issue.
When I was competing in FTR alot, I used both LR and SR Lapua brass. They both worked great under their desired conditions... SR excelled in the heat of summer... LR in the cool of winter
Some powders do not like the energy from a SR, even a 450 and accuracy was irratic. Even got hangfires which is always a fun experience.
FH diameter is another rabbit hole to explore.
So the answer, as always is it depends. In the warmer season, both primer sizes can work (assuming no issues with your specific action)... in the cold, I would go LR... unless you are shooting a 223 Rem and then the 450 is always the right answer. Some ball powders just need alot of spark.. some extruded powders too.
Careful testing will tell you all that you want to know.
YMMV
Jerry
When I was competing in FTR alot, I used both LR and SR Lapua brass. They both worked great under their desired conditions... SR excelled in the heat of summer... LR in the cool of winter
Some powders do not like the energy from a SR, even a 450 and accuracy was irratic. Even got hangfires which is always a fun experience.
FH diameter is another rabbit hole to explore.
So the answer, as always is it depends. In the warmer season, both primer sizes can work (assuming no issues with your specific action)... in the cold, I would go LR... unless you are shooting a 223 Rem and then the 450 is always the right answer. Some ball powders just need alot of spark.. some extruded powders too.
Careful testing will tell you all that you want to know.
YMMV
Jerry
LOL ! KK PM sent ! RJ
