which manufacturer makes the "softest" primers?

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I have a S&W 586 that doesn't like reloads with "hard" primers like CCI (minor dents on the primer face but no bang). I've heard that remington makes a "softer" primer. Any thoughts?
 
The softest you'll find by far is Federal. I had some remington primers about 10 years ago that were fairly soft but i don't know about current offerings. the next hardest would be Winchester, then CCI . you can get CCI's that are extra hard for use in military semi-auto and auto rifles.

If you can't get Federal primers then you will have to tighten the mainspring strain screw, which as a by-product will increase your double action trigger pull weight. On my revolvers I use a "Federal primer" strain screw setting, then another for other primers which is about 2 poiunds heaver double action for reliable ignition.
 
JohnC pretty much covered it. I use nothing but federals in my SW 686, anything else will give occasional misfire when fired single action.
 
Remington also have the reputation of making unreliable primers. I've read as many horror stories about their 2 1/2 primers than with CCI primers
 
I found the Remington primers to be too inconsistent. Federal was the same. The only primers that you will find on my bench are WLRM. The Winchester primers are the most consistant as fired across a chrony from the bench. Thats why I keep 10,000 of them on hand at all times.
 
My son's 30-06 has a large firing pin hole,so with CCI 200 we got cratered primers,but with WLR we don't. So CCI 200s are softer than WLRs. I find the consistancy of the primers varies with lot #,last batch WLRs provided some real slow velocity shots in the group,but this one is more consistant than this batch of CCI 200s.go figure
 
Rifle primers are harder than pistol primers, and as some pointed out some companies offer various versions. Some harder for auto loaders, or more consistent for long range rifle shooting.

Never had a problem with Winchester and CCI primers, but Fed and Rem have produced "duds" for me.
 
For pistol I have found CCI the most inconsistent in terms of diameter. Had a batch that continually got stuck in the Dillon primer tube. PITA. Never had a primer misfire, yet.

Preference in pistol primers:

Winchester
Remington
Federal

CCI only if my supplier is out of the other three. Hate federal packaging but like their primers.


Take Care
 
I tend to gravitate towards Federal primers myself. I understand that they're the softest, but have never had problems.

I even use Federal Small Pistol primers in my Hornet, and have no problems there, either.

I'm with you on the Federal packaging though. It's ALMOST enough to get me to stop buying them. I does, in fact, stop me from buying them for use in my 'plinker' guns, and high-volume stuff. But for the .204 & 22-250, and any other rifle I'm trying to squeeze the most out of, I'll go federal Match.
 
PoFF said:
Remington also have the reputation of making unreliable primers. I've read as many horror stories about their 2 1/2 primers than with CCI primers
Click to expand...

Most problems re; reliability are due to improper seating. I have never (45 years experience) had a primer fail to go off unless I screwed up.
 
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