Wolf primers

[Winchester101]

Specifically Wolf shotshell primers.

I've been seeing some Wolf 209 shotshell primers turning up at local shops at fairly decent prices. I may have to try some when my current stock of Nobel Sports run dry.

I was wondering though, is the Wolf a direct substitute for another 209 in trap type recipes? For instance, when I started loading 12ga years ago, I started with Winchester 209s. Later on the price of the Winnies kept going up and availablity even became spotty for a while. Through some research and talking to guys at a couple of trap ranges, I learned the cheaper, readily available (at least around here) Nobel Sport 209 could be safely substituted in any recipe tha tcalled for a Win 209.

Anyone used the Wolfs in 12ga trap loads? I use STS hulls, Fig 8 clone wad, 1oz of lead shot and Promo powder.

Thanks

W101

 

[Winchester101]

I found an answer to my question, but thought I'd post it here in case anyone else is looking to use these primers.

I called Alliant Powders, 1-800-276-9337 and spoke with one of their techs. He informed me that Alliant tested the Wolf 209 and found it somewhat inconsistent, so Alliants recommendation is to treat it as a hot primer. He suggested that the Wolf could be used safely in recipes that call for a Federal 209 primer.

FWIW.

At the prices I'm seeing, I may still try the Wolfs.

W101

 

[Winchester101]

Ok,

Just spoke to a tech at Hodgdon, 913-362-9455, and was told that Hodgdon will not make a recommendation for a substitution of the Wolf primer because of the extreme inconsistency they found in their testing. He said a variation of +/- 75 f.p.s. was not at all uncommon.

So there's 2 powder manufacturers claiming inconsistency with these primers. Since most of my shooting is in decent weather (the tech mentioned that the spread was less in warmer weather), and since I have a chronograph to test ballistic consistency for myself, I may still buy a thousand for testing because of the cheap price. If I do, I'll stick with Alliant's recommendation and use Federal 209 data.

Just putting this up in case anyone else is considering using these.

W101

 

[trapper500]

I ordered a brick of the Wolf 209 for my 12ga hunting loads & they seem to work great so far & they are very low cost also

 

[USSR]

I use a lot of the Wolf/Tula Russian primers for metallic cartridge reloading, and they work fine. However, since the Wolf shotshell primers are only $2 cheaper than the Winchester primers I normally use, and reloading data regarding them is generally not available, I continue to buy and use Winchester primers.

Don

 

[NCsmitty]

I have used CCI for decades in my metallic brass, and up to a few months ago, used Winchester 209 primers in my shotshell loads. I bought 5K of Wolf 209 and have tried a few and they seem to be fine.
The information that I have read, indicates that Wolf 209's are a cross to the Winchester 209, and I have no reason to doubt that information.

I also bought 1K of the Wolf SR magnum primers to try in my 223 ammo, but I haven't loaded any yet.

Bear in mind that both powder manufacurer/distributor's saying Wolf is inconsistent, are members of consortium's who produce primers themselves. At least I believe they do, as Alliant powder is owned by ATK, who also owns CCI.


NCsmitty

 

[Winchester101]

I didn't mean to imply that Wolf 209s couldn't be used satisfactorily, I plan to try them myself this spring. Just passing along what I was told by techs that I trust.

As far as those techs working for the "consortium" that produces primers, I would buy that arguement except for the fact that those same techs develop data with other "non-consortium" primers such as Cheddite, etc.

I take the word of those techs for what it's worth. To me their word carries somewhat more weight than the average reloader, it is after all their job, but I still "trust but verify" anything I'm told. I trust what they told me, but I will verify it myself this spring.

W101