Opinions on primers

P

pyscodog

Active member
Loading for a 204R and a 39 BlitzKing bullet w/CFE 223 powder. I have several different primers to choose from.
Rem 7 1/2
CCI 400
CCI Br-4
Fed 205M
CCI 450 Magnum

I have read the CCI Br-4 is best for accuracy, but the most expensive, but the Rem 7 1/2 and the Fed 205M are match primers also, and I have a Bunch of these. Besides actually shooting them to tell the difference, is there going to be much difference? Is one actually that much better than the other? Tell me about your experiences using different primers to achieve the best groups.Maybe a dumb question for some of you but maybe it will help a few of us. I also know trial and error is the best way to find out as every gun is different.
Thanks!
 
I use the CCI 400 most of the time. I have the CCI Br-4 and have used them. I didn't notice any difference in my loads with the 39 gr. bullets. I also use CFE 223 for my 204R. I used the CCI Br-4 for AR style rifle when I reload for my son. Rudy
 
Most people use the BR4 in 204R, if you already have a "good" accurate load, just load up 5 or so of the same load but change only the primer. You will easily see any difference there may be due to a primer change, and go from there. If you don't test the primer variable, you'll never know.
 
I hate to spend the money on them but I have gotten my very best accuracy in my .204 as well as my other guns that take the small rifle primer with the CCI BR4. I hate that they are so spendy now but if I am going for the best accuracy I can get that's what I will use.
 
I have often found accuracy differences in primers. the only way to know is to do the same load workup with different ones & see what the groups do.

I don't have all the ones on your list. Lately I've been doing load dev for 223 rem and 6.5 grendel, both use small rifle primers.

WSR, CCI 450 and federal 205's with several powders & bullets. Mostly I've gotten better accuracy with the 205's. not always but most often of these 3. I can't say that there has generally been really large differences but I'll take any better I can get.

I haven't gotten my hands on any 205GM or 205GM-AR's, would like to try just to see.

way back in the 90's I was working with my 30-06. federal 210 GM have been consistently best often enough that for cases with large rifle pockets, I just use them. but I had gotten some remington large rifle & did identical loads, from start to max, with only the primers being different. these were loads that with other primers gave sub-MOA groups, but with the rem I didn't get a single group under 2" and most were over 3". Had I started with those primers I might have written off the powders and/or bullet as not being a good match for that rifle & never tried anything else, as I'd never seen anything that extreme due to primers before. now that I have I like to try with at least 2 different ones when working up a new load just to see what they do.
 
I have four loads using BK's and CFE with the BR4 primers. Hopefully one of the four will give me a good group. Then I'll load more using the same load and a different primer and see what the results are.
 
I use BR4, and BR2 for large rifle. I think they are worth the extra cost. When you are talking about a couple cents, I’ll go with quality everyday. Interesting, I just bought 10,000 BR4’s, and 10,000 BR2’s after the first of the year. Price was $59.99/1000. I should be good for a couple years with 5 of us Shooting and handloading in the household.
 
I agree on the cost except I have 7-8000 7 1/2's and probably the same in Federal 205M's. Also a brick of the CCI 400's. I'm hoping I can find a good load with whats in the shelf. If not, I'll just have to buy some BR-4's.
 
Along with the primers try changing your seating depth also. I've shot the 7 1/2, CCI 400's with good results in .222 .223 and 6.5 Grendel. They say the Federal 210m is the best primer for a .308 but I didn't see any difference between them and the CCI even though the 210M is what I use in my match loads. Kinda like something mental. You think it shoots better even though it doesn't.
 
IMO the “BR” primers are not worth the price. Especially for a varmint/coyote accuracy. I tried swapping my BR4 and 400 with not noticeable difference in accuracy and velocities
 
Last edited:
I used rem 7 1/2 and the fed match primers with more or less equal but great results. my 204 is a TC venture and it seems they shoot every pretty darn well
 
Back
Top