So I was wondering, before I start working up a load for the 308, if primer brand matters that much? I've got varget, Imr 4895, blc2 and some other powders. I have lots of 9 1/2 rem primers, and some Win and Fed. I haven't found the Dec handloader issue yet(which deals with this cartridge) and I'm wondering if any of you have tried different primers in your loads. Thanks.
Which primers?
- Thread starter stovepipe699
- Start date
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
The powders that you have listed will give excellent results. As for primers,I stay away from CCI because of failures to fire. The Remington 9 1/2,Winchester,and Federal primers have always been reliable and consistent. The .308 is very accurate and easy to reload for with 1/2 inch groups not being uncommon.
Primers
The is a very interesting test that was done by some folks at Accurate reloading.com. Go to page 2 in the Reloading section and check out the thread lg rifle primers vs Lg rifle mag primers. some interesting results from the 4 loads tested. FS
The is a very interesting test that was done by some folks at Accurate reloading.com. Go to page 2 in the Reloading section and check out the thread lg rifle primers vs Lg rifle mag primers. some interesting results from the 4 loads tested. FS
You can go wrong with those, because there supply is so on again off again.
Choose a primer that first off produces loads that shoot itty bitty groups.
Then look at the supply side of things.
I've shot almost all of them over the years, and with the right combinations, they are all capable of good accuracy.
So which ones leave you stranded?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I was going to suggest you use CCI's because they fit the primer pocket a little tighter so you might get an extra reload or two out of your brass. Misfires with these primers are usually related to too light a firing pin strike, as the cups of these primers is a bit thicker.
Use a standard primer with moderate burning extruded powders like 4895, but if you choose a ball powder like BLC-2 or Winchester 748, or for shooting in very cold weather I'd go with a magnum primer.
Thanks for the responses. To clarifye, I was wondering if anyone has tried different primers and found better accuracy with certain primer/powder combos. I have only had failure to fire with Rem 91/2's when I first got my hand priming tool, and wasn't squeezing them into the pocket hard enough. I'm going to read the reg vs mag primer thread now.
Rob
Rob
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Thread
4831
Scroll down to the reloading section, open that, then go to page 2 and open Lg primers vs Mag primers, scroll down to the last thread, and there is an attachment, clik on it and there is the primer test. Accurate reloading.com
FS
4831
Scroll down to the reloading section, open that, then go to page 2 and open Lg primers vs Mag primers, scroll down to the last thread, and there is an attachment, clik on it and there is the primer test. Accurate reloading.com
FS
Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
Wow! I have been using CCI-BR2 primers for years...guess what? No failures, no ES's that are too large, and I managed to do really well so far.
Never found the article, I'll look later. With Rem 9 1/2 on H 4350, I have had SD of 6.24 and ES of 15.99,(5 shot string) so if that indicates primer quality, I can't complain. They aren't the cheapest, and don't seem too popular, but I still have 500. I didn't know what to get 10 years ago, so I got them b/c I had R-P cases. When I tried the rem Mag primers, (30-06) my groups were poor by comparison, so I never used them again.
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X 2 and yes you have.
I have used Federal, CCI and Winchester standards to good effect. The difference is that the Federal cup is a bit softer and showns pressure more than then others. The federal also produces a bit less pressure.
With the powders you list for 308, all 3 would give about the same results, with federal needing a quarter grain more powder.
Primers change a bit from lot to lot and from time to time. I tend to buy them by the case (5,000) so that once I have a load, I don't have to re-do because I ran out of primers.
I have one case of primers in the cold room that dates back about 20 years. They store forever.
Here is a fact you can count on... the only difference between gold and componets is that gold sometimes goes down in cost...
With the powders you list for 308, all 3 would give about the same results, with federal needing a quarter grain more powder.
Primers change a bit from lot to lot and from time to time. I tend to buy them by the case (5,000) so that once I have a load, I don't have to re-do because I ran out of primers.
I have one case of primers in the cold room that dates back about 20 years. They store forever.
Here is a fact you can count on... the only difference between gold and componets is that gold sometimes goes down in cost...
QUOTE from GANDERITE
"I have one case of primers in the cold room that dates back about 20 years. They store forever.
Here is a fact you can count on... the only difference between gold and componets is that gold sometimes goes down in cost..."
I hear you GANDERITE, might as well stock up whenever you can!
"I have one case of primers in the cold room that dates back about 20 years. They store forever.
Here is a fact you can count on... the only difference between gold and componets is that gold sometimes goes down in cost..."
I hear you GANDERITE, might as well stock up whenever you can!
