Current state of primer manufacturing

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benvigil

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I'm wondering if you have any input on the state of primer manufacturing in 2024. Everyone has their favorites, but manufacturing changes from over time and maybe primers that were great in 2003 or 2016 may not deliver in 2024. So I'm at Cabelas just a bit ago and they have a bunch of options... everything but CCI. So I do a little internet sleuthing for data on Winchester #41 and I'm seeing conflicting information that's changing over time: lots of positive, and a decent amount of negative.

What does THR say? Who's making good, reliable primers like CCI #41 and 500?

My current loads:
  • 300BLK, CCI #41, VV N120, Sperry 220gr and Lehigh 198gr Controlled Fracturing
  • .223, CCI #41, H335, Hornady 55gr FMJBT and RMR 69gr
  • 9mm, CCI 500, Titegroup, RMR 124gr FMJ and Nukes
 
From what I have read primer manufacturing is at full speed ahead. From the selling point goodness who knows can get them. CCI is my preferred primer but unobtainium at least for LRP. Ginex makes good primers. Ginex are a little hard to seat but are reliable for me. Last batch of LRP I purchased was Federal. Lot of discussion about problems with Federal but have used them in my M1A and 1911's with no problems.
 
benvigil said:
I'm wondering if you have any input on the state of primer manufacturing in 2024. Everyone has their favorites, but manufacturing changes from over time and maybe primers that were great in 2003 or 2016 may not deliver in 2024. So I'm at Cabelas just a bit ago and they have a bunch of options... everything but CCI. So I do a little internet sleuthing for data on Winchester #41 and I'm seeing conflicting information that's changing over time: lots of positive, and a decent amount of negative.

What does THR say? Who's making good, reliable primers like CCI #41 and 500?

My current loads:
  • 300BLK, CCI #41, VV N120, Sperry 220gr and Lehigh 198gr Controlled Fracturing
  • .223, CCI #41, H335, Hornady 55gr FMJBT and RMR 69gr
  • 9mm, CCI 500, Titegroup, RMR 124gr FMJ and Nukes
Click to expand...

I've used Rem 7 1/2 for #41 without any issues. Actually get better groups with them since it's a match grade primer.

Fed 205MAR are a step up, very good, too. Best I've tested in my loads.
 
In my experience, I have not noticed a huge difference between different primers. In order of preference for .223/5.56:
RP 7 1/2
Wolf (when they were available)
Sellier & Bellot (when they were available)
CCI BR-4 (back when they were affordable)
Federal AR Match
CCI-450
CCI-400
Fiocchi
Federal 205
Winchester
CCI No.41. seem to be among the most inconsistent, and I am not the only one to notice that.

Small pistol
CCI-550 for W296/H-110
CCI-500
Federal 100
Fiocchi
S&B (back when they were available
RP 1 1/2
Win sp
Servicio/Aventuras (from Argentina but cheap!)
 
benvigil said:
So I'm at Cabelas just a bit ago and they have a bunch of options... everything but CCI.
Click to expand...
Three short years ago there weren’t any primers to be found. So consider yourself lucky.
And those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. The only primers I won’t buy are Winchesters.
 
JFrank said:
Scheels and Cabelas had plenty of LRP last time I was there
Click to expand...
In 2019?:D I have both stores within 30 miles. 2 Scheels, plus a Mills Fleet and a Runnings that also carry reloading supplies. The ONLY LRP I've seen were at the Runnings in 2020. CCI BR-2 at $12 per 100.
 
benvigil said:
Who's making good, reliable primers like CCI #41 and 500?
Click to expand...
I don't use CCI #41, but CCI 500 used to be my alternative primer when I couldn't get Federal 100. I've since replace CCI in my inventory, for my auto pistols, with Ginex UG453P1N at $300 - $345/5k...that's including HazMat; and usually shipping when you order 10k

A friend was through Reno earlier this week and stopped by the Scheels and found Federal SPP for $69.99/k +tax . He got me 5k and got 4k for himself; that was all that was on the shelf. When he checked out, they asked if he wanted more as they could being some from in back. They had CCI 500 for the same price, but didn't see much sense when Federal SPP were available

They also had 1500 count Fiocchi LPP for $112.99 + tax...that's just over $75/k
 
9mmepiphany said:
They also had 1500 count Fiocchi LPP for $112.99 + tax...that's just over $75/k
Click to expand...

My startard small pistol primer has been CCI for years. This caught my eye a few weeks back and I ordered 6k. I had been holiding out for $60 primers, but losing faith. Sad to say $75 seemed reasonable so I figured I'd try some. They get good reviews.

-Jeff
 
Random 8 said:
In 2019?:D I have both stores within 30 miles. 2 Scheels, plus a Mills Fleet and a Runnings that also carry reloading supplies. The ONLY LRP I've seen were at the Runnings in 2020. CCI BR-2 at $12 per 100.
Click to expand...
Maybe you’re just unlucky ? Cabelas had primers just a couple days ago.. I was there.

Rifle Primers for Reloading | SCHEELS.com

Shop rifle primers for reloading at SCHEELS. Whether you're looking for small rifle primers or large rifle primers, shop top brands like Winchester and more. SCHEELS
www.scheels.com www.scheels.com
 
I currently have Remington, Fiocchi, CCI, Win and Federal primers on the shelf, in pretty much all categories. They all work great for me. I shoot 200 9mm's a week mixed in with .223 and 6.5CM. I can remember one primer not going off in the last few years. It was a CCI, but from an very old batch. So I shop primers based on price more than anything else.
 
JFrank said:
Guys need to stop complaining about the price and buy what they need when they se it or go without.
Click to expand...
It’s not the price of the primers, it’s the gas. Driving from Florida to Montana and back for primers can get a little exhorbitant.

Let’s all please (once again) try to remember that local availability is LOCAL!!!! YOUR Cabella’s might be overflowing but the Bass Pro forty miles from my doorstep is empty. M-T. No go. Nada. Nichts. Nyet.

Good thing I’m okay for the near future. I’d hate to have to drive to Montana this time of year.

F66CBAFD-9744-44C4-B1E8-E8861CA15AD8.jpeg
74711A1A-4883-4FD7-A152-3AE0D64CA800.jpeg
C47C62D0-CE39-412B-995C-66306DFEF9E6.jpeg
 
Nearly all my SRP are Rem 7-1/2's. They are "benchrest" tier and have a thicker cup for autoloaders. I've always had good results with them, they can be harder to find from time to time as opposed to CCI and Winchesters.

Primer Cup Thickness Chart.JPG
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
It’s not the price of the primers, it’s the gas. Driving from Florida to Montana and back for primers can get a little exhorbitant.

Let’s all please (once again) try to remember that local availability is LOCAL!!!! YOUR Cabella’s might be overflowing but the Bass Pro forty miles from my doorstep is empty. M-T. No go. Nada. Nichts. Nyet.

Good thing I’m okay for the near future. I’d hate to have to drive to Montana this time of year.

View attachment 1191401
View attachment 1191402
View attachment 1191400
Click to expand...
Funny boy, shop at your local store or on line, products are available…



Primers are available right now…
 
jmorris said:
Yeah but “you get, what you get and don’t throw a fit.” Only sounds good, when you’re saying it TO someone...;)

Plus it fills in the time between the “what press“ threads.
Click to expand...
Or what gun for bears threads that go on forever.
Seriously components are available for those that want them.
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
Boy? LOL!! Okay, sonny. Does it look like I’m shopping? Nope. I’m a smart boy, too.

Ta for now, kiddo. ;)
Click to expand...
Sir’ you may not be shopping but others are, I’ve driven 200 miles to pick up components, also had them on the shelf in front of me many times. Components are available.
If guys spent as much time shopping as complaining they would find plenty of components.

Where are Reloading Components Available/On Sale (Not a Discussion Thread, Link Required)

Powder Valley has Herco back in stock. If you’re a fan, grab it while you can https://www.powdervalley.com/product/alliant-herco/
www.thehighroad.org
 
JFrank said:
Sir’ you may not be shopping but others are, I’ve driven 200 miles to pick up components, also had them on the shelf in front of me many times. Components are available.
Click to expand...
I never disputed that. My point is and has been, just because YOU have local availability, don’t assume everyone else does. Count your blessings that you do and be humble in your dealings with those less fortunate.

And, yes, I can order online. So can you. If you go back to my posts from when this mess started you will see my mantra has always been: Don’t worry about price, worry about availability.
 
I don’t always have local availability, I have to shop like every one else. I posted several examples of components available, that’s positive input to the thread. Where’s yours ?
 
What about the Other Makers besides Vista, WW, and imports?
WRE sent me a sample to prove they were real but say they are selling everything to OEM.
The Hornady primer unit blew up in October.
SIG?
Fiocchi USA?
 
JFrank said:
Maybe you’re just unlucky ? Cabelas had primers just a couple days ago.. I was there.

Rifle Primers for Reloading | SCHEELS.com

Shop rifle primers for reloading at SCHEELS. Whether you're looking for small rifle primers or large rifle primers, shop top brands like Winchester and more. SCHEELS
www.scheels.com www.scheels.com
Click to expand...
Got excited with the link you provided, but it's not a link to any available Large Rifle primers. Those still don't exist anywhere that I've seen. Our Cabelas has primers too. So does Runnings and Fleet Farm. Small rifle, small pistol, match versions of same, large pistol, you're good to go. If you shoot a man's gun, you're out of luck
 
Random 8 said:
Got excited with the link you provided, but it's not a link to any available Large Rifle primers. Those still don't exist anywhere that I've seen. Our Cabelas has primers too. So does Runnings and Fleet Farm. Small rifle, small pistol, match versions of same, large pistol, you're good to go. If you shoot a man's gun, you're out of luck
Click to expand...
Try Midway. Sorry bro they just ran out.
 

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