I’ve been using Federal 210 LR primers, but my local seller is out but have CCI. I like supporting my local supply store, so wondering about the best, in your experience, is the best LR primer. I’ve been using Winchester for handgun and Federal for rifle, but don’t mind switching it up.
Large rifle primer recommendation
- Thread starter seasterl
- Start date
Ask them to order you a carton. Or find out when next shipment is due. I see them around. BTY, if they have the match primer 210m they are the same. They cost more and are named match because they are the 1st part of the run of that primer. Match because less of a chance for any change from 1 to another. But if you are buying primers by the carton (1 thousand) at a time buy what's available as in CCI, Federal, Winchester, Remington. Load and tune rifle in again if needed. More trigger time makes a better shooter anyway.
contender
Ruger Guru
In serious handgun competition,, Federals are considered THE primer to use. Easier to ignite with softer actions.
CCI are considered to be the hardest ones to ignite.
BUT,, in a rifle,, I have no clue.
I used to use CCI almost exclusively decades ago,, as it was what I could easily find & afford. When I got more serious about accuracy,, I went into deeper experimentation. I found others were a tad bit better often.
CCI are considered to be the hardest ones to ignite.
BUT,, in a rifle,, I have no clue.
I used to use CCI almost exclusively decades ago,, as it was what I could easily find & afford. When I got more serious about accuracy,, I went into deeper experimentation. I found others were a tad bit better often.
OP
Thanks! I have small rifle match in Federal, but almost finished with my brick of 210 LR. I only buy these a brick (1000) at a time and this one is almost out. I thought I’d check here to see if anyone recommended the CCI or Winchester over the Federal for LR. Yep, never can have enough trigger time!
DGW1949
Hawkeye
Best?....best for what?
Back when I was involved with NRA Service Rifle competition, Federal Match primers were what most of us .30-Cal shooters used. A few years later when I was dabbling in CAS, I didn't much care what primer I used and usually settled on whatever I could buy the cheapest....but...that's the difference in shooting at a 600 Yd target and shooting at a silhouette target set out at spitting distance.
DGW
Back when I was involved with NRA Service Rifle competition, Federal Match primers were what most of us .30-Cal shooters used. A few years later when I was dabbling in CAS, I didn't much care what primer I used and usually settled on whatever I could buy the cheapest....but...that's the difference in shooting at a 600 Yd target and shooting at a silhouette target set out at spitting distance.
DGW
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OP
Good points, DGW. Best for,… reliable and consistent ignition for firing upon long-range targets. I have a promising 280AI that right out of the gate is averaging slightly less than 0.5MOA and I’m working up loads for it. My goad is to transition from the 200yd range and qualify for our 600yd range at our club. I’m nearly out of my initial brick of 1000 primers and was going to pick up another. Before I requested an order for more Fed 210, I thought I’d check here to see if guys “swear by” a particular brand. For my goal, what do you recommend?
Sagebrush Burns
Single-Sixer
These days you take what you can get. If time and variety are available, you test to find out what works best in each application. Over the years CCI have consistently worked for me.
Local reloading shop has a good inventory of primers. Not sure how their prices compare to other places as I haven't bought any pistol or rifle primers for years and with my stash I have now I probably won't ever have to. I don't shoot much pistol and rifle, mostly shotgun and rimfire these days.
I Have Been Using CCI Primers For Over 30 Yrs. NEVER A Problem. EVERYONE WENT BANG ...
Several internet sellers offer free hazmat now and then. Order what you like. Consider the expense of doing a new load workup compared to paying a bit more for the primers you're already familiar with.
BTW; I've never had issues with CCI of any type.
BTW; I've never had issues with CCI of any type.
For the past 50+ yrs., I've used whatever was available.... Even the Russian WOLF primers. Never a problem; always acceptable accuracy for my needs. If I missed a woodchuck at 300 yds., it was a lucky day (for him).
J.
J.
GypsmJim
GypsmJim
Me too! Back during the component crisis I was forced to buy a different brand and had problems with them feeding thru my Lee Auto Prime II. CCI is the ONLY brand I'll use.
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My current primer inventory is:
Standard large rifle: I'm working through a stash of CCI, with WW next in the rotation.
Large rifle magnum: Federal 215M
I've had perfectly good results with the CCIs, and have used them for many years.
Standard large rifle: I'm working through a stash of CCI, with WW next in the rotation.
Large rifle magnum: Federal 215M
I've had perfectly good results with the CCIs, and have used them for many years.
OP
Thanks for the comments, guys!
DGW1949
Hawkeye
Like I said, if long distance shooting is the goal, I'd be after some Federal Match Primers. I do have a bit of a disclaimer though....In my experience, it's real hard to discern much difference in some primers until the target get set out past 200 Yds and beyond. And FWIW, I don't put much stock in 3-shot groups neither. 5-shot groups tell a much better tale.
Hope this helps...and good luck on your endeavors.
DGW
Gunny268
Bearcat
This is just a page from my loading notebook. YMMV.
The large rifle primer numbers above reflects the load data available on 6mmBR.com for the 243 Win, 308 Win, 6.5-284, 7mm WSM & 7mm SAUM. Although there were almost 60 different loads listed, there were clearly only 3 large rifle primers the experts trust for exceptional accuracy:
The large rifle primer numbers above reflects the load data available on 6mmBR.com for the 243 Win, 308 Win, 6.5-284, 7mm WSM & 7mm SAUM. Although there were almost 60 different loads listed, there were clearly only 3 large rifle primers the experts trust for exceptional accuracy:
- Federal 210M – Listed for over 50% of the loads, this primer was clearly the most popular for super-accurate loads. It is Federal’s “match grade” version of its standard large rifle primer, the 210. (Sometimes referred to as Federal GM210M)
- Winchester WLR – This is said to be the hottest non-magnum primer and is hard enough to be used in semi-autos. (Sometimes referred to as Winchester LR 8 1/2)
- CCI BR-2 – The “match” version of 200. This is also considered hard enough for use in semi-autos.
My absolute favorite for everything but modern rifles , is Federal. I understand that Federal SR can be a bit soft, so there’s CCI for that application
OP
Thanks for the data, Gunny268!
Which problems???
I have to agree with this on the Federal primers...easier to ignite with a marginal primer striking firearm. CCI primers are a bit tougher to ignite but when primers were scarce I used CCI LP in some not so hot rifles with great success...and still do...
Just do a search for Winchester primer problems. The primers leaked damaging bolt faces. I thought it was only large rifle but when I did a search before posting its pistol primers too
Seems to be with newer lots, correct? The Winchester primers I am still working with are 1 - 2 decades old.
Gunny268
Bearcat
A long while back, I was noticing an occasional primer flow problem in work up to a regional match. At first, we thought it was a bolt face problem (oversize firing pin hole). But everything spec'd. At the match I got the chance to speak to a Win Rep. He wasn't apologetic but merely stated the Win brass-colored primers were outstanding, but as they began manufacturing the "new" silver colored primers it took a minute (thanks to customer feedback) to get the metallurgy right. They shipped 10k "new" primers to me at Quantico and of course, any problems had been solved.
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