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Do 5.56 reloads for AR 15s need Mil Spec primers?

Started by TOP, January 05, 2009, 07:37:15 PM

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TOP

January 05, 2009, 07:37:15 PM
Is it necessary to use mil spec primers when reloading for AR 15s or will normal small rifle primers work?  Thanks!

SamD

#1
January 05, 2009, 08:49:13 PM
After all these "slam fires" started showing up a couple years ago, I took 5 different AR's that were in the shop and spent a day cycling rounds through them trying to get a "slam fire".  Couldn't get one. I even wedged a firing pin in the forward position with gunk and couldn't get one.  I was so interested, I tried it on 3 different M1's too since they were having them all the sudden (I have been shooting reloads from mine since the late 60's and never had or seen one, never even heard of a "slam fire" till maybe 7-8 years ago),  Couldn't get more than the tiniest of dents and never could get a slam fire from any of them.
I am NOT going to weld a firing pin forward in a bolt to find out.

I am of the opinion that the "slam fire" is becoming the excuse of choice for ND's these days.  If I ever see one for myself, my mind might change.

I'll just keep using  ordinary rifle primers and keep it pointed in a safe direction and refuse to worry about it. I'll  keep single loading too.

Sam

wcmartin1

#2
January 05, 2009, 08:49:46 PM
I use 'em for insurance, but they're probably not necessary with the AR.

Many High Master HP shooters swear by Winchester primers for this rifle.  Others like the Remingtons.

I wouldn't use Federal for a gas gun as they're too sensitive, but otherwise, just make sure that you seat them deep enough that they aren't protruding.

There is more discussion on this in the .223 reloading thread.
"Unhappy it is, though, to reflect that a brother's sword has been sheathed in a brother's breast and that the once-happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by a race of slaves.  Sad alternative!  But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?" - George Washington - from a letter to a close friend after the events of April 19, 1775

"There is no nation on earth powerful enough to accomplish our (the United States) overthrow.  Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter.  From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger.  I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing." - Daniel Webster, June 1, 1837

Tackleberry

#3
January 05, 2009, 08:59:47 PM
I use Winchester primers on my 5.56/.223 loads. I have never had a slam-fire, even after using them in a half dozen different AR's. Never had a problem with them out of a Mini-14 either.

I have heard people talk about it happening, but never seen it happen myself.

Old Dog

#4
January 05, 2009, 09:20:32 PM
This is my experience, yours may be different....

On the subject of .223's, I've only shot a hundred or so rounds of my reloads through on AR and my mini14 = no slam fires.

On the other hand, many years ago a put a few thousand reloads through my M1A with Federal Bench Rest primers with no slam fires.  Why Federal BR primers?  First, that was all that I could get locally and second was no one told me they were bad for slam fires (apparently someone forgot to tell the primers they were too sensitive, too).

SamD, you may be on to something there.  After all, these days, no one is ever at fault, it's always the equipment or the supplies or the training that is at fault.
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."

—Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle

DuaneRN

#5
January 06, 2009, 08:16:40 AM Last Edit: March 14, 2009, 03:33:10 PM by DuaneRN
.

Nickle

#6
January 06, 2009, 02:14:58 PM
Winchester (WSR) and Remington 7 1/2 primers as well as CCi is what is recommended. I use Winchester myself.

Most primer caused slamfires come from primers improperly seated, that is, they stick up.

Like Old Dog, I've heard that Federal BR primers are the most sensitive (they are the most accurate anyways), but have yet to see or hear of a legit slamfire from them.
They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about, having been employed as Rangers against the Indians and Canadians and this country being much covered with wood, and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting. . . . ".  Lord Percy

Sounds like New Englanders to me.

LabRat

#7
January 06, 2009, 07:32:14 PM
I use CCI 400s for my AR and never a problem. Doesn't matter what the primer is, it won't save you from a poorly-prepped case...one with a high primer is asking for trouble. So, just don't shortcut on case prep for your autoloaders and you should be fine.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Thomas Paine

FiremanEd

#8
March 14, 2009, 02:06:59 PM
If anyone has ANY primers that they're afraid to load due to the chance of the mythical "slam fire" I'll buy them from you. Say $15 / K, delivered?? That way you get some money and can sleep at night without worrying about ever having a slam fire.  ;D

But seriously, I've loaded many thousands of rounds for AR's, Mini's & other semi's and never had an issue. If it's the right size primer I don't care who made it. They all work just fine if loaded properly.

Ed
Are you a Rifleman or a clerk?? 


"Men sleep peacefully at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their part"   George Orwell

MrBill

#9
March 25, 2009, 03:54:59 PM
I have reloaded many thousands of 223 fired in both AR15s and Mini 14.  Add to that a few hundred in a friends HK93 many moons ago.  I have used Federal, CCI, Winchester and Remington primers and guess what?  Not a single slam fire. 

I have had a few failures to fire (actually failure to fully close the bolt) from high primers when I used a Hornady progressive press a long time ago (I use a Dillon now for progressive reloads). 

Your results may vary.

Cheers
"Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest."  Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi

steves4570

#10
March 31, 2009, 10:54:27 PM
Same here, just loaded up some 308'S with cci 200 made sure that primers where seated deep enough. :~

KodyJaret

#11
April 01, 2009, 01:42:48 AM
Anyone,,,have you tried the newer copper colored Winchesters' ? And if so, how do you find them ?

smwwoody

#12
April 07, 2009, 06:52:34 PM
My RRA with their standard trigger doesnt like the new Winchesters.  with the heavy hammer spring they put in from the factory it will poke through one out of a hundred of the new winchesters.  I mainly use Wolf small rifle magnums and dont have a problem with them.  And I am glad because I got 20,000 of them on the shelf.  In a few other Ar's with match triggers which includes a lighter hammer spring I have not personaly seen any problems with the new winchesters.  Prep your brass right, make sure your primers a seated properly, and most all AR primer problems go away.

Woody
Fixing some of the holes in your bucket first can make bailing easier

Our children should be taught how to think, not what to think....

KJ4WXC

Antibubba

#13
April 08, 2009, 03:57:39 PM
It sounds like almost all "reports" of slamfires are the creation of Internet tales and gun rag warnings.
A rifle cannot win a war; it is just a tool.  Wars are fought and won in the hearts and minds of the people.
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