Difference between CCI and Federal primers

[@85waspnest]

I'm pleased you brought this up. I already knew Lee Precision warns against using Federal primers in their progressive presses due to their sensitivity. Not surprising as having used such a press in the past which had persistent feeding jams when primers turned upside down and sideways, risking a kaboom. I heard Federal primers are recommended for light striking firearms, also that the deep plastic packaging is due to high sensitivity. I now use a Lee Turret press and avoid Federals unless other makes aren't available. Last year my Uberti 1873 rifle suffered a big kaboom when 2 rounds detonated in the magazine tube, blowing a 4 inch hole in the side, reduced the fore stock to matchwood and bent the tab on the back of the loading gate from 90 degrees to 45 degrees. Fortunately I was shooting bench rest using one hand so no blood or detached fingers. It took me a while to figure out why it happened when a round was only halfway into the chamber with the lever half closed. That round didn't go off. What happened was...... while the next round in the queue sat un the lower part of the brass cartridge elevator, the one to replace that position had a very slightly proud primer. As the lever closed and the brass elevator slammed back to the bottom, the sharp leading edge caught the edge of the proud primer setting it and the round in front off. The recoil rammed the bullet of the round at the bottom of the elevator fully into the case, the rim bending back the loading gate tab. I've been reloading and shooting 100 rounds every week for the last 10 years, always making sure primers are flush...indeed, CCI are always slightly inset, Federals seat flush but often need an extra push on the press lever to make sure, even with clean primer pockets. I guess I didn't give the one that went off a hard enough push. To help make sure it doesn't happen again, I rounded off the front of the cartridge elevator slightly with a small central recess. I loaded a dummy round leaving a spent primer few thousands of an inch proud, positioned it where it could be caught and closed the lever.....success, the elevator missed it. Sorry this is a long rambling comment but I hope it serves a warning about Federal primers, seating, and brass cartridge elevators on toggle link lever actions.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Great info there! Sometimes a measurement isn't just a measurement. I am happy you were not hurt I saw the Lee document regarding Fed primers as well when looking for info on the topic. Been shooting/loading a long time and didn't know that. Thanks for the comment.

[@RealDeanWinchester]

This changes everything.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

I had been using Fed match for the BR. Did a primer test for which grouped smaller and this lot of CCI performed better than the 205M. In haste to produce mass quantities I am sure quality control is all over the place. Have a good Wednesday Dean.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@ToadleyBrowne Makes a person wonder if all the wild import brands are worth buying in lower cost bulk, since primers seem to be a point of eye-gouging frustration in the USA for several years now.

[@cw2a]

Mornin Mustang man! ❤

[@bobcatforever3485]

TB. Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Hope all is well with you. Take care.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Thank you Bobcat.

[@JPsaysno]

Interesting !

[@ToadleyBrowne]

What brand of primers do you use J?

[@JPsaysno]

@@ToadleyBrowne I like Federal LR and CCI SR. Always had good results with CCI.

[@rbm6184]

I use Winchester and Remington 5.5 primers. If I was only loading target loads then Remington 1.5 primers would be okay but not for hotter loads. Cup thickness makes a difference. I have had problems with CCI primers going into primer pockets so I don't ever get them anymore. Federal is okay but third to Remington for me. I prefer Winchester first followed by Remington for primers. Thanks for sharing.

[@mckwilly]

You almost had me 👀, I thought you were gonna say nitromethane 💥!!! That's not til Sept ....

[@WilliamCChapin]

I can tell you’re a former educator - you presented a primer on the topic of primers prior to the full presentation. Therefore, it’s a Primer Presentation Primer. I’m not sure however, what the primary purpose of the primer presentation is…was it a preview? Sorry, Toad…I’m somewhat Alliterite.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

You crack me up Chappy.

[@orangetlr]

With availability issues sometimes you have to use what you can find.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

So true.

[@GhostRiderUSA]

Federal uses Nitro in their mix? Take my money!

[@ToadleyBrowne]

Wolf uses ground up Unicorn horn.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Can you get a measurement on the cup material thickness, implying how much pressure it takes to deform it via firing pin? It's no wonder propellant and primer factories have to be pretty careful about handing the chemicals they handle. Good grief.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

I was coming from the angle that not all primer compositions are the same. Not sure if the .004 was a lot to lot variance or that is the way the engineers planned it because of what chemicals are involved. Have had small groups with CCI and then changed to Federal 205 Match and the groups were good as well. I save my targets and it is about 50-50 split. BR4 and 205M both produce good results. You are right about handling procedures. One mistake and POW!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@ToadleyBrowne Given the tolerances of brass primer pockets, I would assume the 4 thousandths difference is a deliberate choice. Last company I worked for regularly toleranced parts to the 4th decimal and the CNC equipment that machined parts could easily deal with that.

[@ToadleyBrowne]

@@exothermal.sprocket I find the ability to reproduce such small sizes consistently is amazing.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@ToadleyBrowne Yeah it really is amazing. But expensive. For high precision parts, you have to have a bunch of liability, marketing control, and a quality department checking and documenting part parameter trends. Then there is the measuring tool companies making the rounds calibrating their equipment. Then there's the auditing routine every year.