Federal Primers

[cwall64]

Are Federal primers just real soft? I have been using their 150M (large pistol match) and 100M (small pistol match) and they always look flattened to me, no matter what the charge is (min - max). Yesterday I fired some 9mm with AA #5 and 124 grain bullets - casings barely fell out of the gun onto the table, chrono averaged around 950 on a 10 shot group and they look the same as if i were running max loads on a 10mm! I did use a hand priming tool, so maybe I compressed them a little on seating.

 

[BigBore45]

dont look flat to me

 

[Grumulkin]

Your primers look fine.

 

[cheygriz]

Flattening is when the primer fills the pocket and there is no space between the inner edge of the primer pocket and the outer edge of the primer.

Those look perfectly normal.

 

[aladdin]

They look normal to me. As long as you can still see the rounded corners of the primer. If there is over pressure they will get to where they are flat across the whole diameter.

 

[cheygriz]

One thing to watch for though, is Remington 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 and CCI 34 and 41 are MilSpec and have a thicker, harder cup. Over pressure doesn't show up on these as well as on commercial primers..

 

[gamestalker]

They might look a bit more flattened than a CCI 500, but by no means do they look like they're on the edge of what one might see with excessive pressures.

GS

 

[CZ9shooter]

Yep. Not flat.

 

[d'Artagnan]

Yes, they flatten easily. I've run tests comparing Federal small pistol primers against Remington, CCI, Winchester, S&B, and Magtech primers with all other factors being equal. You can also easily identify them even before dropping the hammer on them because they start out with a larger flat area than other brands.

 

[Rule3]

Federal primers have a reputation of being softer for detonation. That's why they go bang in lightly sprung guns when others will not.

Also why they are packaged in larger boxes with more distance between each primer, to prevent gang fires.

As to the primer flow, yours look fine as mentioned.

 

[tcoz]

Your primers look fine but yes, a Federal primers are known to be softer. That's why many people don't recommend their use in semi auto rifles with floating firing pins.

 

[joneb]

I use the Federal pistol primers mostly for revolvers and some in 45 acp.
I give the Federal primers a good look, I have found a few with no primer compound or no anvil.

 

[Hondo 60]

Federals have a reputation as being softer cupped.
(don't know if that's true or not)

But they do have a more easily combusted priming compound.
(they go off easier)

http://oi55.tinypic.com/343qa08.jpg

Here's a pic of flattened primers

 

[Captcurt]

Federals have a reputation as being softer cupped.
(don't know if that's true or not)

But they do have a more easily combusted priming compound.
(they go off easier)

http://oi55.tinypic.com/343qa08.jpg

Here's a pic of flattened primers

I had a Contender pistol in 7mm TCU that dictated the use of a soft primer. CCI would not go bang. Winchester and Federal would. My local gunsmith told me that Federal was the softest. If anyone would know it would be him. He is pretty sharp.

 

[HOWARD J]

Remington 1 1/2 small pistol go in my 9MM brass so easy they scare me but they shoot fine