primer question

[coondogger]

I have a recipe for 6.5 grendel. It's for a bolt action rifle. It calls for a 130gr bullet, propelled by H335 powder, and a Winchester WSR primer. Since it's not a magnum primer, is there any reason I can't use another small rifle primer such as CCI 400 (which is all I have)?

 

[crestoncowboy]

Is done every day. In times like these if we didn't substitute primers we wouldn't get much reloading done. Just work up. The difference is minimal. Just my opinion though

 

[NorthBorder]

I don't think it's a problem. If you are getting your data from a manual I think that is the primer they used to test to develop that load. I mostly just use CCI and evaluate my loads with them.

 

[Obturation]

No problem, work up as was suggested.
I'm very very low on spm primers, I've been using sr primers for h110 loads in 357 mag for the past 400-500 rds, no difference in poi or any detectable difference. Do it at your own risk but know that many of us use what we've got.

 

[Scott.M]

Do you have the same rifle, brass, lot number of powder and bullet as your listed load?

In short, as previously mentioned, don't fret it. I think Winchester primers are typically a little 'hotter', so the change to CCI would be nothing but a thing.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The brisance is so close between all the brands of a particular type of primers that there is really no concerning difference between them.

 

[coondogger]

Thanks, all. I'm going to run off a few with my CCI 400 primers, sticking to the starting load, and test them. I'll let you know how they work.

 

[Scott.M]

They'll be fine. I'd not start at the lowest starting load, but that's me.

 

[rfwobbly]

Just to be clear...
You'll want to "work up" your load because there is a greater difference between your rifle and the test lab's rifle, than there is between those 2 primer brands.

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks, all. I'm going to run off a few with my CCI 400 primers, sticking to the starting load, and test them. I'll let you know how they work.

You'll want to "work up" your load because there is a greater difference between your rifle and the test lab's rifle, than there is between those 2 primer brands.

+1.

And let the holes on target speak.

 

[sparkyv]

This:

The brisance is so close between all the brands of a particular type of primers that there is really no concerning difference between them.

 

[KYregular]

Should be fine, CCI is a little harder but should work fine for you.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I'd not start at the lowest starting load, but that's me.

I probably wouldn't either. Unless it was just a really low end or older rifle. Lol.

Not a bad idea though. I just hate to shoot out a new barrel by the time I find a good load.

 

[Nature Boy]

I pierce primers in .223 when using CCI 400s. Be aware that they have a thinner cup than BR4s or Federal 205s. Higher pressures may create problems

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/

From the article:

– Cases that utilize small rifle primers and operate at moderate pressures (40,000 psi) can use CCI 400, Federal 200, Rem 6 1/2, or Win SR. Such cases include 22 CCM, 22 Hornet and the 218 Bee. Other cases that use the small rifle primer can use the above primers only if moderate loads are used. Keep to the lower end of reloading recommendations.

– Cases that utilize small rifle primers and operate at higher pressures (55,000 psi) should use CCI 450, CCI BR4, Fed 205 and Rem 7 1/2.

 

[coondogger]

As promised here are the results of the test batch. I used CCI 400 small rifle primers in both; the recipe called for Winchester WSR primers. The group that is high are 123gr HPBT match king projectiles with H335. I used starting loads in each. The group that is lower and closer to center is 130gr HPBT hunting projectiles with H335. None of the shots felt 'off' in any way. They went bang just like any other rounds.

 

[coondogger]

Here's a couple of pictures of the spent cases. Doesn't appear to be any signs of excess pressure either on the case head or the dented primers.

 

[Obturation]

View attachment 950158 View attachment 950158 Here's a couple of pictures of the spent cases. Doesn't appear to be any signs of excess pressure either on the case head or the dented primers.

Looks fine, don't depend on seeing pressure signs as an indication of trouble. Depending on the case it isn't a good measure of over pressure, it's best to confirm velocity with a chronograph but since you're using published loads with only a difference in primer I'd be willing to bet you're in the right range. Nothing wrong with being careful.

 

[Nature Boy]

They look good to me