Favorite Primers

[DWS1117]

Which is your favorite primer and why? Winchester, Federal, CCI, Remington, or other.

Do you use different brands for different calibers or applications such as hunting, target, competition, or self defense?

I have only used two brands so far ( Winchester and CCI) and have not noticed anything different. Is there a noticible differnce between brands? If so, what are the differnet characteristics?

 

[HogRider]

All I ever use is Winchester. They have not given me a single problem ever and are pretty much available everywhere.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Winchester

 

[HSMITH]

Winchester and Federal here, Winchester being my favorite but no complaints at all with Federal's. I have burned probably 350K Winchester primers over the last 10 years between shotguns and handguns, I have had exactly one misfire. I have burned over 50K Federals in that same period without a problem.

I HATE CCI primers. Inconsistent cup sizes that drive me *^&$^$ NUTS!!!!!
The last batch I bought (they were out of everything else) had cup sizes that varied by .007" in the same 100 pack!!!!!!! JUNK and nothing but JUNK! I had more priming problems in that lot of 10K CCI primers than I have had in my entire reloading life!!

Never used a Remington primer.

 

[Cal4D4]

For large pistol, Winchester WLP. I have had problems with CCI's, hard feeding & seating, sometimes double strike req'd even in single action Ruger.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I'll generally use anything but CCI.

 

[P0832177]

For 223 applications for the most part Rem 7.5. For TAC the CCI 450 works very well, this is in the Ramshot data. Have noticed a tightening of groups and decrease in stats with CCI BR4.

For 45ACP run through a Dillon 550, Federal #150 LPP. This is also the recomendation of gunsmith after an action job, the street carry gun is reliable with anything though.

For 308 Federal 210 M, but of late been using CCI BR-2 with velocity increase of 30 fps and tighter stats.

I have never had a problem with WLR and I used them in 308 Service Rifle loads for many years.

 

[sm]

Winchester
Grew up with Winchester and used nothing but Winchester ammo, shells, primers, wads, cases, powder ,bullets, shot...guns and gun oil. For a very very long time. Felt unfaithful the first time I used anything different.

Most of the guys whom taught me did,/still do, and we have a Big Green Ammo plant about an hour from me.

 

[WESHOOT2]

FAVS ("WARNING! PRIMERS WILL EXPLODE!")

Maybe a half-million CCI's, and a lesser amount of Federal, Remington, and (only very rarely) Winchester.

If I had to pick I'd go with CCI in auto-loader cartridges, and Federal for wheels.

(When velocity is my ultimate concern I use CCI's; when accuracy is the goal then I pick Federal.)

 

[stans]

I used to use CCI primers exclusively until the primer shortage several years ago. The first primers to become available in my area were Winchester, so I tried them and liked them better than the CCI stuff. I might consider CCI primers if I needed a hard primer cup for ultra stiff magnum pistol rounds or military semi-auto rifle rounds.

 

[Black Snowman]

I use CCI for everything but 10mm because they're very forgiving if I don't set up my progressive correctly and seat them sideways

In 10mm I use Winchester WLP for the little extra "oomph" in ignition since they're between a standard and full magnum primer.

I've never had ignition problems with the CCIs but then I've also never lightened a mainspring in any of my guns.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

I use Winchester exclusively now.

I tried CCI once but found them difficult to seat. They would either be excessively tight or they would crunch up on me.

 

[Dave R]

I've used nothing but CCI. Small pistol, small rifle, large rifle.

They're made in Idaho and I "buy Idaho".

Is there really that much difference? I always thought primers were sorta a commodity.

 

[Mal H]

Winchester here also. CCI's are a little too hard and therefore don't seat easily in a cup that is the least bit dirty resulting in a circular mark where the priming ram has had to push too hard on them. I don't like that, it might mean the pellet has been damaged. That never happens with Winchester.

I would like to like Federal's, but I can't because their package is too damn big! I would only be able to store maybe 4,000 to 6,000 in the same space it takes me to store 10,000 Winchesters.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Ditto on Mal H's comment on seating with CCI. I guess that's what I was getting at with my post.

 

[ACP230]

I use whatever primers I can find a deal on.

I started out with CCIs, then used Remington for several years because I got them for $9 per thousand. Those days, and prices, are gone, now I use Winchesters.

 

[larryw]

Winchester for everything but my M1A, which gets CCI34s. Like the Wins because they work very well and feed best in my Dillon press.

 

[Clark]

My favorite gunstore stocked CCI primers, so I shot them for years.
Then they also stocked WIn primers and I was told that they were better, so I got them.

Then I got a copy of "Sinclair International's Precision Reloading and Shooting Handbook", which says that Remington and Federal primers are best.

I have lots of CCI and WIn primers to use up before I try those.

 

[LAH]

Normally use Winchester for all handgun ammo.

 

[P95Carry]

Federal #1 choice ..... had fewer FTF's with them than anything. Winchester comes a close #2. CCI I avoid for handgun cos too damn hard (for me) ... no probs with those for rifle tho if a good deal to be had.

Found I had some old Rem large pistol and am using them up .. seem fine despite age. Also find Rem 209's are fine.

 

[JoeHatley]

Federal. I've used all the others, and Federals are the most consistant, even with "target tuned" triggers. I've been using then consistantly for 20 years.

Joe

 

[mparris71]

CCI exclusively Never had any of the mentioned problems above. Have tryed winchester, nothing wrong with them but wasn't impressed. Cut my teeth in reloading with CCI, many thousands of rounds later I am still useing them. PMC says they are comeing out with Lead free primes next year, I think I will give them a try for indoor shooting.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

P95Carry,

About six months ago I found a couple three hundred Winchester small pistol primers lurking in a box. They had to be at least ten years old (still were in the mainly white box---anyone still rremembe those?).

I randomly took five or six primers and loaded them in empty .40 cases. I put them in the pistol and they fired fine. Nice and loud, etc.

So, what the heck, I loaded up some .40 S&W and every one fired fine.

I've heard stories of reloaders claiming they shot primers older than that.

Not saying I recommend it but I've heard that if they are kept in a relatively dry and cool area they tend to give long shelf life.

 

[P95Carry]

Navajo -- I think you are right .... they can indeed have a very long shelf life.

Even more remarkable ..... i have some berdan primers ... the extra large ones that suit old .303 Brit ... they too believe it or not still work ... and they have to be 30 to 40 years old!!

Good shooting.

 

[tbeb]

I use Winchester primers. I reload .380 ACP, .38 special, .357 magnum, and .45 ACP, for target practice.

Instructions for my Lee priming tool say not to use Federal brand. Federal primers are easy to ignite. (That's one reason I like to use Federal ammunition for revolvers.)

I have used Federal and CCI. I started with Winchester, and I have no rason to change.