Magnum primers in .223

[Greg Mercurio]

My apologies in advance if this has been covered before. Today my normally stocked gun shop had no Small Rifle Primers but had a good supply of Magnum Small Rifle Primers. So the question is has anyone used magnum primers in the .223 and how much load reduction to start with from the starting load? My loads will be made up with Lake City brass, and BLC-2 with a 55g FMJ,

Thanks in advance.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Greg Mercurio.

IMO, BLC2 powder should be using magnum primers anyway. If you are using near max loads already, with standard primers, then a drop of 5% charge weight is recommended before working back up, using the hotter magnum primers.


NCsmitty

 

[Galil5.56]

I do, and like the thicker cup that is reported with CCI 450's. Use them with AA2460 and H335 at top worked up charge weights in an IMI Galil ARM, and like the way they have performed... See no need to change at all.

 

[kelbro]

Some manuals spec out magnum primers with their loads for H335, BLC2, and W748.

 

[willyp]

FED 205M or REM 7 1/2 Primers have given me the best results...

 

[wgaynor]

The Speers manual I use recommends W748 with magnum small rifle primers for the .223. I am not sure about other books out there, but I just stick to the directions in those without switching things up...

 

[Walkalong]

Mag primers have given better results for me in .223 & .222 Mag with H335 & BLC-2 than standard primers. I settled on H335, of the two, but BLC-2 is a very good powder.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

Thanks to all that posted here. I dug out my Pet Loads and sure enough the update, although quite old by reloading data standards, lists CCI 450 for many of the powders I plan on trying out.

Again, Thanks