I like to devise tests to help make loading decisions. It is time to replace the 308 brass used for target rifle competition. My current brass is Winchester, Norma and Lapua. The Winchester and Norma take 48 gr of powder, the Lapua only 47 grains. The Lapua has slightly less capacity, but gives about the same velocity.
I think I prefer the Norma, but it is starting to wear out. Time to get another 800 pieces and weigh them out. But what to buy?
Lapua has introduced their Palma brass, made with a small primer instead of a large. It is reputed to give smaller Standard Deviations – more uniform pressure/velocity. I suspect the smaller primer takes high pressure better than the large primers. Match ammo is typically loaded to around 65,000 psi, so this sounds like a good idea.
While putting my mind to what primer to use, I recalled that during the most recent CQB shoot my 223 ammo had a number of misfires. The Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers did not reliably ignite the reduced charges of BLC2 under the 55 gr FMJ bullets. I used “Magnum” primers because I thought it would be hotter than a standard primer. I knew ignition would be a challenge.
A misfire in CQB means lost time to clear the misfire, but in each of the 3 misfires, the primer blew the bullet into the throat. When I opened the action the powder spilled into the action, jamming the rifle. The bullet was easy to pop out with a cleaning rod, but washing out the spilled ball powder took time. I missed the rest of my relay. I need a hotter primer.
In a 308 case, jammed with a compressed load of extruded powder ignition will not be difficult to ignite, but a tougher cup would be desirable, given the high pressures.
I decided to test the CCI 450 magnum small rifle and the two versions of the Wolf small rifle primer, standard and magnum.
To test the primers I fired them in a 38 Spl revolver (6” barrel) (no powder or bullet). I photographed the muzzle in a dark room, so I could compare the muzzle flash. This would be an indicator of the “hotness” of the primers.
As it turned out, I did not need the photos. The Wolf primers had a flash about one inch at the muzzle. I could see no difference in muzzle flash between the standard and the magnum Wolf. The CCI 450 (small rifle magnum) lit up the room. The flash was about a foot long.
Wolf Small Rifle
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
CCI 450 Small Rifle Magnum
The Wolf primers are different colours, so it is easy to tell which was used in a given loading. The magnum is a light brass colour. The standard primer has a thicker, tougher cup and is a distinctive copper/pink colour. The CCI is nickeled.
Wolf Standard Small Rifle
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
CCI 450
Conclusion: For my hard to ignite 223 CQB ammo, the CCI 450 looks best. For the Lapua 308 small primer Palma brass, the Wolf standard primer with the tougher cup looks best.
The only difference I can see in the two versions of Wold small rifle primer is that the standard primer has a harder cup, for military rifles with floating firing pins. The magnum has the same blast, but has a softer cup.
I think I prefer the Norma, but it is starting to wear out. Time to get another 800 pieces and weigh them out. But what to buy?
Lapua has introduced their Palma brass, made with a small primer instead of a large. It is reputed to give smaller Standard Deviations – more uniform pressure/velocity. I suspect the smaller primer takes high pressure better than the large primers. Match ammo is typically loaded to around 65,000 psi, so this sounds like a good idea.
While putting my mind to what primer to use, I recalled that during the most recent CQB shoot my 223 ammo had a number of misfires. The Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers did not reliably ignite the reduced charges of BLC2 under the 55 gr FMJ bullets. I used “Magnum” primers because I thought it would be hotter than a standard primer. I knew ignition would be a challenge.
A misfire in CQB means lost time to clear the misfire, but in each of the 3 misfires, the primer blew the bullet into the throat. When I opened the action the powder spilled into the action, jamming the rifle. The bullet was easy to pop out with a cleaning rod, but washing out the spilled ball powder took time. I missed the rest of my relay. I need a hotter primer.
In a 308 case, jammed with a compressed load of extruded powder ignition will not be difficult to ignite, but a tougher cup would be desirable, given the high pressures.
I decided to test the CCI 450 magnum small rifle and the two versions of the Wolf small rifle primer, standard and magnum.
To test the primers I fired them in a 38 Spl revolver (6” barrel) (no powder or bullet). I photographed the muzzle in a dark room, so I could compare the muzzle flash. This would be an indicator of the “hotness” of the primers.
As it turned out, I did not need the photos. The Wolf primers had a flash about one inch at the muzzle. I could see no difference in muzzle flash between the standard and the magnum Wolf. The CCI 450 (small rifle magnum) lit up the room. The flash was about a foot long.
Wolf Small Rifle
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
CCI 450 Small Rifle Magnum
The Wolf primers are different colours, so it is easy to tell which was used in a given loading. The magnum is a light brass colour. The standard primer has a thicker, tougher cup and is a distinctive copper/pink colour. The CCI is nickeled.
Wolf Standard Small Rifle
Wolf Small Rifle Magnum
CCI 450
Conclusion: For my hard to ignite 223 CQB ammo, the CCI 450 looks best. For the Lapua 308 small primer Palma brass, the Wolf standard primer with the tougher cup looks best.
The only difference I can see in the two versions of Wold small rifle primer is that the standard primer has a harder cup, for military rifles with floating firing pins. The magnum has the same blast, but has a softer cup.
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