Anyone have a source for small rifle primers suitable for AR loading (I.E. hard primer cups). Looks like they have dried up. Need 100 ea.
Looking for Winchester WSR, Fed 205, or Rem 7 1/2 (Used in my loading data)
Looking to load LC brass, using AA2520 and Hornady 75gr BTHP for testing purposes in my 16" 1-7 twist
I'm running out of ammo quickly!!
Don't know where you've looked. Try Midway or Weidners. Or perhaps your local gun dealer can order some in for you.
smle
Powder Valley www.powdervalleyinc.com (http://www.powdervalleyinc.com) is also a good source of components. The CCI41 primers are mil-spec primers specifially for 5.56mm ammo and work really well.
Widener's is out of CCI, but they have Wolf here:
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=7283
Midway has CCI No. 41's here:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=170074&t=11082005
You can use Winchester Primers (WSR) or Rem 7 1/2's in the AR as well. I think you can find those at your regular source.
Thanks to all! The local suppliers I have found do not have any primers that I could use with my data. Had checked Midway with out any luck..
Can your local suppliers order in what you need?
What did you mean about primers you could use with your reloading data? I've really only used a couple kinds of primers, Federal Benchrest LR primers and CCI primers (LR, SR, SP and LP). When I changed from the Federal primers to the CCI's I just started over at a lower powder amount (back down around minimum listed) and worked my way back to the most accurate load.
What I mean is if the reloading manual you have lists Winchester primers you can use Remington, or CCI, just start out at a lower powder weight and work up your loads.
I have always read that a magnum primer will increase pressures with the same amount of powder used with standard primers so I'd stay away from those unless using a powder or loading for a cartridge that lists their use.
I recently allowed myself to be talked into buying the military CCI large rifle primers for reloading for my M1A and M1 (after using both Federal benchrest and standard CCI large rifle primers for many years). Now I'm kind of wondering if I will get the best accuracy with them as they are similar to magnum primers in the amount of "flash" they make when igniting the powder. I guess I've always been lucky, so based on almost everyone's input I'd never recommend standard primers for use in another's M1A or M1.
Good luck, read more than one reloading manual, start at a lower load and work up in .2 grain powder increases till you find your accurate load. Oh, and remember that the most accurate load is very seldom the highest velocity load. Maximum accuracy usually occurs at more of a medium velocity.
Loading data isn't really all that touchy about which primer you use. Yes, they list the primer, and make disclaimers, but that's more liability talking than anything else. Magnum versus standard makes a little difference.
The hard cupped CCI Military primers are really over rated. They aren't as essential as you think. Federal and most Remington primers are pretty sensitive, compared to CCI and Winchester. The exception to avoiding Rem and Fed primers in military semi-autos is Rem 7 1/2's in the AR only.
FWIW, I reload professionally, and primarily use Winchester primers. I do prefer Federal match primers for match work in bolt guns. They seem to me to be more accurate.
An excerpt from Sierra re.: loading for service rifles. Also , the 'new' WOLF primers now on the market are getting very good reviews, and are running a little cheaper as well.
By Sierra,,,'The Bulletsmiths' :
Primer Selection
As with powders, bullets and cases, some primers are better suited to use in Service Rifles than others. Certain types of primers can be eliminated, simply due to the nature of the cartridges and powder charges (weight and type) involved. Magnum primers may be helpful for ammunition that will be used in sub-zero weather conditions, but will rarely be necessary for general shooting needs. The burning rates of those powders used in Service Rifle cartridges, combined with the charge weights used, simply aren't that difficult to ignite. Ball powders may be the one exception, but even in this case are rarely an actual necessity. Standard primers are usually the first choice for these guns and generally are the best place to start.
Benchrest or Match primers are favored by many shooters, with an eye toward achieving the ultimate accuracy. Such primers generally contain a somewhat milder pellet mixture that contributes to improved accuracy potential. Some makes may also utilize a thinner cup to guarantee reliability, although this is not always the case. The Remington 7 1/2 Benchrest primer, for example, uses a fairly thick cup. Sensitivity can become an issue here and may increase the risk of a slam-fire. The Federal 210M (Match) primers, a very popular choice among competitive shooters, have developed a reputation for being rather sensitive. While this may not be the case, Federal 210M primers have developed a reputation as a potential source of trouble when used in Service Rifles. Over the years, we have used literally thousands of 210M primers in both M1 and M14/M1A rifles without incident. We feel that the single most significant cause to such slam-fires can be traced back to improper seating, not the primer itself.
In 1994, CCI began marketing a line of rifle primers specifically manufactured to meet military specifications for cup thickness and sensitivity. These are the No. 34 (large rifle) and No. 41 (small rifle) primers. Their use in military-type rifles with floating firing pins should decrease the possibility of a slam-fire as long as the pocket is properly prepared, and the primer correctly seated. These are ballistic equivalents to their respective Magnum primers. This extra energy should ensure reliability in virtually any weather conditions, but their real advantage rests with the reduced possibility of a slam-fire.
As important as the choice of primer may be, its proper installation is even more so. Our ultimate goal here is reliable ignition with acceptable accuracy while eliminating (or as nearly as possible) the chances of a slam-fire.
Remember, safety first; all other considerations secondary.
Case Preparation
Having chosen the appropriate components for our particular application, we need to take a quick look at case preparation for Service Rifles. As with so many other facets of reloading for these guns, a few steps are a bit different. Some of this material will be applicable to reloading for other action types; some will not. Other phases of the case preparation process pertain to the case itself, regardless of what type of action it will be used in. A little understanding of the process involved and why it is or is not necessary will clarify matters.
Primer Pockets
With the exception of Match brass, such as that produced at Lake City, most military primers are crimped in place. This crimp must be removed prior to the case being reprimed. Failure to do this makes the case extremely difficult to prime, leading to the potential for high primers--a very dangerous condition. While there are several tools on the market to correct this, Dillon's Super Swage 600 is one of the best we've worked with. Whether with swage or cutter, the remnants of the original crimp must be removed.
Removing the primer crimp is a one-time operation, but keeping the pocket clean is an ongoing process. The goal here is the same -- to eliminate the potential for a high primer. It's rare that enough residue would build up to prevent a primer from fully seating, but it is a possibility. Keep a close eye on the primer pockets during your case prep, and clean them if there is any question about how well the next primer will seat.
I'm starting to understand that the choice of primer isn't as touchy as I had thought. (I just want to stay as far away as possible from any slam fires.) With everyones inputs I have located what I need on Powdervalleyinc.com. Will start with Winchester WSR , some AA2520 and see what I come up with
I understand importance of case prep & I have learned much from the Pined post on reloading 223/5.56. Any other questions that come up I will post there.
Thanks ;D
If you've "heard" me say this before, sorry, my short term memory ain't what it used to be.
Every, every, every, gun is different, different, different.
You might use 3 different brands of primers and not see a measurable improvement in group size, or you might try a different one and see your group size either go to pieces or tighten up to the point where you have to repeat the groups a time or two to believe it.
I had a buddy at home who traded off a couple of guns (both perfectly good ones) for a new Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 30.06. His reloads for the Rem. 742 he'd traded off didn't shoot for beans in the BA Winchester. Neither did any of the many factory loads he tried (Federal, Winchester or Remington in bullet weights from 150 to 220 and different bullet styles). We tried many different bullets and powders in other reload combinations. He was on the verge of taking it back and trading it on something else when I pulled out a box of left overs I'd loaded up just to get rid of some bullets i didn't feel I'd every use. The old Lyman manuals list a "most accurate" load for each bullet/cartridge combination and I'd loaded up 60 rounds of 30.06 with the left over Sierra 180 grn. flat base spire points. That Winchester went from hand sized groups at 100 yds. to dime sized groups at 100 yds. My buddy was tickled to death, IMR 4350 powder and the bullets were common at the place we bought reloading supplies. All he had to do was talk them into special ordering the Federal bench rest primers.
That's one of the nice things about reloading, with enough time and understanding you can develop a load that shoots better than factory/surplus ammo.
Good luck.
Hello, all!! Ive read all of yalls post about hard to find 5.56 NATO primers(#41 CCI).............Good news here......I have a ton of 'em!! $275 per 10,000 or $137.50 for 5,000 this price is delivered including HAZ MAT. No tax unless you live in Missouri (In which cas the tax rate is.06%). Gimme a call.....this price is only for RWVA members! Manning Munitions (417) 254-4240 or email manning_munitions@yahoo.com
That's a good price, bulldog.
What else ya got?
Gotta website?
No, sorry no websight, Im kinda small potatoes, but its how I keep my prices down, (no overhead) you can check out my history on gunbroker, though. I deal mostly in primers, email me for prices, availabillity, etc.....Thanks!
Wideners has Wolf small rifle "magnum" primers (thicker brass cup for AR's) and they're < 2 cents apiece.