Remington # 6 1/2 small rifle primers

[k&j 223]

HELP!!!!! A gun shop sold me Rem # 6 1/2 small rifle primers for reloading 223 rem , I told him that is what I'm loading for. He said you need # 6 1/2 rem After buying them & looking up some load specs for 223 rem I find that 223 rem calls for 7 1/2 rem primers, my question is , does any one know if the rem # 6 1/2 primer can be used safely in the 223 rem... I called them & they won't exchange for 7 1/2 primers. Nice people!!!! I bought 4000. Bad move on my part. I can't find any specs using 6 1/2 primers with 223 rem reloads. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks Ken

 

[sandmatt]

Believe the Remington 6 1/2 are appropiate for the .22 Hornet.

 

[win71]

They are both small rifle primers. One is standard, one is bench rest. You can use the load information interchangeably but it is always wise to start off at less than maximum to be on the safe side.

Per Remingtons web cite.

Centerfire Primers (100 Pack)

X22600 1 1/2 Small Pistol
X22604 2 1/2 Large Pistol
X22625 5 1/2 Small Pistol
X22606 6 1/2 Small Rifle
X22628 7 1/2 Small Rifle BR
X22608 9 1/2 Large Rifle
X22622 9 1/2M Magnum Rifle
XEL22610 9 1/2 Large Rifle (ETRONX™ Electric)

 

[IndianaBoy]

I have loaded several hundred 223 rounds with 6 1/2 Remington primers. Every single one of them went bang just fine.


Don't worry about it. Use a powder that doesn't call for magnum primers and you will be just fine.


Hint: Hogdgon BL(c)-2.

 

[gazpacho]

In a situation like this, I believe it is entirely appropriate to name the retailer. Good service should be rewarded. Bad service - well - should be "appropriately" rewarded.

 

[Runningman]

Regarding 6 1/2 primers, Midway has this under Remington 6 1/2 primers.

Warning: Remington does not recommend this primer for use in the 17 Remington, 222 Remington, 223 Remington, 204 Ruger, 17 Remington Fireball. Use the 7-1/2 Small Rifle Bench Rest primer in these cartridges.

This 6-1/2 Small Rifle primer is primarily designed for use in the 22 Hornet.

 

[softail99]

Rem 6 1/2 for 223

I have used nothing but 6 1/2 for my 223's. Unlsess you are shooting Bench Rest competition you will have no issues with them. I habve great groups with them but I'm just punchen holes in paper for fun.

 

[LTR shooter]

I called them & they won't exchange for 7 1/2 primers. Nice people!!!! I bought 4000.

The bad part is they told you the 6 1/2 was the primer you needed. Would have understood if you had walked in and said "give me 4000 Rem 6 1/2s".

You can try them out and see how they perform or try to sell them if they do not peform for you.

 

[alemonkey]

At least you shouldn't have trouble unloading them if they don't work out for you. Primers are scarce these days. I just went to buy some this morning and they only had 2 1000 packs of large rifle primers in the entire store. Probably should have bought both boxes.

 

[wcwhitey]

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

This link may help. But suffice to say I have never had a problem with 6 1/2" in many thousand loadings. I bought mine for $12/K and used what I had. My loading are never at max pressure and I use a low pressure powder (IMR 3031) anyway but I have had great results. Bill

 

[Eb1]

This isn't bad service. The customer did not know what they wanted. The OP did not ask for 7 1/2's. He just said I am loading .223. Which takes Small Rifle Primers. Use them. They will work fine.

If you want 7 1/2 primers next time. Ask them by name, and be glad you got primers. A lot of folks don't have any.

 

[Float Pilot]

The 6-1/2s and the 7-1/2s both seem to work about the same in experiments I have conducted with 223 and the 6.8mm SPC.
I am non-impressed with both and much prefer to use CCI or Federal primers. CCI-military primers for semi autos or their CCI-BR-4 bench rest primer.
But due to the current primer and powder famine, anything is better than nothing.

 

[win71]

I learned something

I was not aware the 6 1/2 was made for the Hornet. I don't recall reading what other calibers using small rifle primers were popular when the Hornet was introduced.

One thing that makes more sense to me now is why myself and others use small pistol primers of other brands for the Hornet. I get better groups but admit I've never tried 6 1/2 Remington’s. I've pretty much stuck with Winchester, Federal and CCI for the last 40 years or so.

I have, by accident, used small pistol primers in a Bolt .222 with no bad results.

 

[rbernie]

Several years ago, I was gifted 5K 6 1/2s. I promptly loaded them into prepped 223 brass and set them aside to be loaded (I use a single-stage press). Then I read that the primers were inappropriate for 223.

With some trepidation, I loaded up a batch of light 223 practice loads (20gr TAC) and they seemed to work just fine. I got no soot around the primers and they didn't pierce or do anything silly.

 

[Sport45]

Read the box the 6-1/2 primers came in. Is there a warning saying not to use them in .223Rem?

On edit:
I didn't have a box of primers to read, but I went to the Remingon website and found this:



Remington FAQ's

But look at the bright side. You can sell them on GunBroker for $100 a box!!!

 

[win71]

One more Question

Now then, if all is true regarding 6 1/2 Remington small rifle primers only being recommended for the 22 Hornet why in the world is Remington still making them. It just doesn't seem practical to keep producing a separate primer for a caliber that isn't that universally popular in the first place.

Shoot, Ken Waters in his Pet Loads book hardly used them.

With all the trouble I went through to get my Hornet shooting semi straight, including changing rifles, I may have to try them myself………………

 

[shootinblanks]

Lookin to learn more

I am another newby, trying figure all this info out. My last order of primers was Rem. 7 1/2 BR. I am shooting a .223 bolt action Savage model 11. What are some thoughts out there on Winchester 6 1/2's. I have come across availability to some of them. My powder choice so far has been the Hodgdon Varget, but I have picked up accurate 2230 and hodgdon BL-c2. Do I stay away from the Winchester primers and contiue hunting for the Rem.?

 

[X-Rap]

This is another one of those ( if I knew it was wrong and bad I wouldn't have been doing it all these years).
Most of the 1000's of 223 I have shot up over the years have been loaded with 6 1/2 primers and have shot very well I use H335.
I have a bunch more loaded as well as primers and have no Hornet so I guess I will keep doing it even if its wrong. I'm such a Rebel

 

[Encoreman]

Hey sport, I have 3 boxes to look at and they don't have the warning not to load in .223. Mac

 

[243winxb]

Don't use Remington 6 1/2 primers in the 223. A few will blow out and leave a pock mark on the bolt face. Sort of like using a tiny blow torch, it will cut holes when they blow out.

 

[shootinblanks]

Looking to reload 1000 rounds ASAP, just trying to figure out wich primers to use

So not using 6 1/2s does that include Winchester primers. I have less than 300 rds through this gun and if the 6 1/2 's do that to the bolt they won't make my list.

 

[243winxb]

So not using 6 1/2s does that include Winchester primers.

Winchester primers are ok to use in the 223. Do Not use Remington 6 1/2 primers in the 223, use Remington 7 1/2 http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/components/dataprimers.aspx

 

[Encoreman]

I would like more people that have used these in a .223 to respond please. If the diameter of the 61/2 and the 71/2 are the same what would cause them to blow out. I would really hate to mess up my rifle. I would hate to sell them on GB for $100's also. HELP!!

 

[X-Rap]

I would like more people that have used these in a .223 to respond please. If the diameter of the 61/2 and the 71/2 are the same what would cause them to blow out. I would really hate to mess up my rifle. I would hate to sell them on GB for $100's also. HELP!!

I would like to put your mind at ease but I do bad things like use WD-40, mix 5.56 and 223, and now I'm guilty of using 6 1/2 primers on all my reloads. Its the Rebel again.
Seriously, I have a bunch to use up and will continue as I always have until they are gone, from then on if primers are still available I will probably change.

 

[snuffy]

Remington 6½ are made for the .22 hornet, 218 bee and other small low pressure cases. Use of the 6 ½ primers in high pressure .223 can result in blown primers through a hole on the edge of the firing pin dent. I had to replace a bolt in my AR-15 and a firing pin bushing in my .223 contender.

The flame coming out of that tiny pin hole cuts like a cutting torch.

The reason is the cup is thinner, period. The thinner cup yields to the higher pressure of the .223, damaging bolt faces.