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Posted: 12/25/2009 4:45:59 PM EDT
| I would like to know how many here have compared the match or benchrest primers to others or even the regular small rifle primers. Did they improve performance or lower standard deviations? Did you find one better than another? Currently I'm using Rem 7 1/2 having switched from CCI 400. The reason I switched was primer cratering. To me the CCI 450 seems similar to the Rem 7 1/2, but I haven't checked with the chronograph. What about the Fed GM205m or the CCI BR4? My current precision load of 69 SMK with 25.3 gr of Varget in LC brass using the Rem 7 1/2 primer has a coefficient of deviation of .417 fps and average groups of 10 rnds is .51"-.73" @ 100 yds, which I think is pretty damn good for me. I'm just wondering if another primer might work better than what I'm currently using or if someone has found a primer the is more consistant on average, (meaning with different loads)? |
| I have had a lot of competition shooters tell me that Federal Match Primers are the shiznits..... When I asked about the differences; one guy said that he had a specific load that he had been using for years. He said that he could easily put 8-10 rounds in a dime sized hole at 100 yards ... he said that just changing to regular primers it would open the groups up to a quarter size or larger on his rifle. I spoke to a couple other guys about it as well; and they all had similar stories to one extreme or the other, but everyone seems to favor Federal Gold Metal Match. As far as what I use; I don't need that type of accuracy on my loads .... I use the majority of my ammo for plinking and the other bit for hunting. I have yet to find an animal with a kill zone smaller that 1"; so the result I get are plenty good for my uses. |
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Quoted:
a coefficient of deviation of .417 fps and average groups of 10 rnds is .51"-.73" @ 100 yds, which I think is pretty damn good for me. I am sorry I cannot provide any input to your question and I am not trying to hijack, but I am jealous enough that I must tell you.... If I was shooting like that, I wouldn't change a F'n thing! |
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Not too long ago, I put together 50 each SMK 77s using Varget in Rem cases using my normal CCI 400s, another 50 with Rem 7 1/2s, and another 50 with Wolf 223 primers. I hand weighed the powder for each load.
I could not tell any difference in accuracy between the 3 (.5 to .75 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards from sand bags on the table), the best that I can do with that gun. All were chronoed, and the Rem 7 1/2s shot about 35 fps slower than the other 2. The Wolf 223 primers had the smallest ES and SD. I did not work up a different load for each type of primer, just a simple substitution. |
I have certainly used all sorts of primers ranging from primers pulled from demilled rounds to those very Remington primers. And I have to admit the Remington primers truly are nice. I now only use them for my 223, 308 and 300 WSM rounds. I have not compared groups but can say either I got better at shooting or they truly do close the group (I'm guessing it's the later, I certainly have plenty of room for improvement and am sure it just does not happen without some sort of effort which I have not applied).
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Quoted:
Quoted:
a coefficient of deviation of .417 fps and average groups of 10 rnds is .51"-.73" @ 100 yds, which I think is pretty damn good for me. I am sorry I cannot provide any input to your question and I am not trying to hijack, but I am jealous enough that I must tell you.... If I was shooting like that, I wouldn't change a F'n thing! I know, I guess some people are never really satisfied (that'd be me). 
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Quoted:
Not too long ago, I put together 50 each SMK 77s using Varget in Rem cases using my normal CCI 400s, another 50 with Rem 7 1/2s, and another 50 with Wolf 223 primers. I hand weighed the powder for each load. I could not tell any difference in accuracy between the 3 (.5 to .75 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards from sand bags on the table), the best that I can do with that gun. All were chronoed, and the Rem 7 1/2s shot about 35 fps slower than the other 2. The Wolf 223 primers had the smallest ES and SD. I did not work up a different load for each type of primer, just a simple substitution. Good info. Apparently Varget must like the Wolf .223 primers. I was thinking on checking on the Fed GM205m and now maybe Wolf .223 also. |
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When I switched from WSR to Wolf SRM in my 223 loads, I noticed a little better accuracy.
In my target loads I use Rem 7 1/2's. Started getting into 1/2 MOA groups, I was happy. Best I'm going to do with my equipment and mature eyes. No Molon testing here, once I find what I'm looking for, I load mass quantities. Never found any Fed rifle primers to test, so no comment on them. |
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I do it the way Dryflash does it. If I get a load that will consistently group under an inch at 100 I load it up. The OP's Varget load is identical to mine, except I only use 24.5 grains of Varget. All other components are the same. My load runs 2730 to 2770 fps depnding on which rifle I run them through (20").
Primers are funny thing, some primers have good and bad years, some primers work really well with a particular powder, some primers are good all around but master of none. Part of the joy and/or pain of reloading is trying new stuff and see how it works. For a few years the hot match up was CCI-BR4's when used with Varget. I found the Remington 7 1/2's worked as well or better for me. I also purchased a quantity of Wolf 5.56mm magnum primers because they have been getting rave reviews. This last year and a half has forced many people to use whatever, and that opened some eyes or made no difference at all depending on what you got your hands on. I like Rem 7 1/2 because they work well and hold pressure better than most. I like CCI-BR4's but don't like to wait for them or pay for them. I use to use Winchester standard small rifle primers almost exclusively until they changed the plating, now I use them for plinking loads. Wolf 5.56mm magnums and me are about to embark on a long term relationship. |
| My loads are running 2853 fps through a 20" ss Krieger. I don't believe primers alone will effect the velocity much. It looks like alot of people are using the match or benchrest primers with good results. I 'm basically wondering is the most used match primer is, not counting on availability. |
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I stopped using CCI-400's(with 2K left) and started using Rem 7 1/2 primers, they seem milder but give a more smooth and complete burn of the powder judging by the amount of soot left in the brass after swapping from one to the other.
I use CCI #41's in my 6.8, they seem more accurate than even the 7 1/2's and I don't know why, maybe more powder to burn or the case design but they definitely improved my groups over the 7 1/2's with all powders used. So I stock two primers, Rem 7 1/2's and CCI #41's(I like to keep at least 10K of each on hand) |
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