Does Primer Brand Matter?

[fredj338]

FWIW, rifle preimers are hotter than pistol primers so DO NOT substitute w/o working your load back up. Where I buy primers, they all cost the same except match primers so best to use pistol primers in pistol rounds.

[rogerxd45]

i havent used federal before but have any of you had problems with useing them in an ar-15 with the free floating firing pin?

[Verk]

I use CCI primers if I can find them. I have also used Winchester when I can find CCIs with good results. I figure if I have had great results using CCI in the past 20+ years of reloading then that has to count for something. I tend to stick with what works.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by rogerxd45

i havent used federal before but have any of you had problems with useing them in an ar-15 with the free floating firing pin?

I don't know if an AR can slam fire but I avoid Federal in my M1 & M1A, too sensative.

[scooterj]

Originally Posted by mcb

Now my XD gets Winchester small rifle primers. I get them a lot cheaper than any other primer and they work just fine.

mcb

Keep an eye out for breech face erosion. The rifle primers are harder and may not expand and seal, which "could" allow gas cutting on the breech face.

[Cannibul]

One thing to consider.

For metallic reloading as long as you are not as max you can substitute primers.

However for shotshell reloading if the data calls for a particular primer then USE THAT PRIMER.

[mcb]

Originally Posted by scooterj

Keep an eye out for breech face erosion. The rifle primers are harder and may not expand and seal, which "could" allow gas cutting on the breech face.

Not cutting yet, I am running 5.1 grains of Vihtavuori N320 powder, which is a relatively fast burning powder and that charge is just shy of the maximum recommended (5.2 grains IIRC) for 40S&W with 180gr bullet. I am pretty sure I have plenty of pressure to seal things up. Myself and several of the guys I shoot with use the rifle primers with 40S&W and have never had a problem with anything but revolvers and Glocks with really light striker springs. One of the guys in the club purchased something like 180,000 of them a couple years ago so we get them at cost. I am paying $15 a thousand for them.