Copper primers

[jimbo1096]

My memory is failing. I was cleaning up the bench this weekend and found some 38spl wadcutters I guess I had reloaded years ago. The box was one of the wallet type, I used them when I was out camping and doing my desert walks in the 70's and 80's. I think they hold about 24 rounds, something like that. The part of this story I am curious about is, they had a copper colored primer like the military used, and I don't remember having in a very long time. Yes these were reloads, cases showed resizing and they were different head stamps. Anybody remember using these type primers and how long ago that was?

 

[gunman42782]

Different companies use different colors. Winchester used to use a copper colored primer, but pretty sure they are now silver.

 

[the_leper_colony]

... they had a copper colored primer like the military used, and I don't remember having in a very long time. Yes these were reloads, cases showed resizing and they were different head stamps. Anybody remember using these type primers and how long ago that was?

Seems like I got the impression many years ago, that at least some copper colored primers are Remington production. So I checked what I have on the shelf, and my Remington 6 1/2 small rifle primers are silver colored, but my 7 1/2 small rifle benchrest & 9 1/2 large rifle primers are copper colored (don't remember actually using either of those, but nice to have them!). So maybe Remington also made copper colored small pistol primers.

 

[NC FNS]

My reloading history doesn't go back far enough to answer your question, but I've noticed my Win primers are brass colored, and CCI's are silver.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Different companies use different colors. Winchester used to use a copper colored primer, but pretty sure they are now silver.

I think all of the Winchester (& CCI) primers I've ever used have been silver colored, but it may very well have changed over time.

 

[Cal30 1906]

I have some old primer that I still use and they are as good as the day they left the factory.
Remington did make a copper small pistol.

 

[anachronism]

Winchester primers haven't been plated for quite a while. I think that went away with the old white boxes. Winchesters on their second or third blue boxes now.

 

[Laserbait]

Different companies use different colors. Winchester used to use a copper colored primer, but pretty sure they are now silver.

Winchester and Remington have been brass for at least the past 20 years. Federal and CCI is nickle plated.

 

[jimbo1096]

These are what caused the mystery