Small Rifle Primer Questions

[462]

Within the next two to three weeks, I'll begin loading for a .223 Rem. Ruger American. The cartridge is new to me, and I have some primer questions.
I was given 500 Federal AR Gold Medal Match small rifle primers, but am not familiar with them.
1. Does the AR designation mean the cups are extra hard, like CCIs?
2. If so, would they present any ignition problems with a bolt rifle?
3. Or, are they just harder than Federal's regular, and soft, cups?

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Gary]

The AR means they are "optimized" for the AR15

 

[RicinYakima]

I buy Auto primers at yard sales, and have for years. Never had an issue in a bolt rifle, but had one fail to fire on first strike in a TC Contender about 15 years ago. FWIW

 

[waco]

They should work just fine.

 

[Ian]

Hard cups to resist slam-firing from the AR's floating firing pin. It does matter for ARs, but as was said it should be no issue whatsoever for a bolt-action to set them off. Most .223 and pretty much all 5.56 factory loads have hard cups as far as I know so your rifle should not only handle them but actually be designed for them.

 

[462]

Thanks, gentlemen!
What I thought, but wanted to be sure.

I use CCI primers with the Garand, because of their (supposed) harder cups, and never had a problem using them with a bolter.

 

[Tomme boy]

CCI SR are thinner than all others and will punch a hole before all others as well. They are made for the 22 Hornet. But no one will listen and tell you they shoot thousands of them without problems. Then others like me they will punch a hole if used in one of my AR's and a Savage bolt gun.

 

[JWFilips]

Keep in mind that Federal Primers have the softest cups....that is why if you shoot reduced main spring pistols they work when others miss-fire
I have shot those in my .223 Remington Sportsman and they work fine however they are pricy ( Back during the Primer shortage a few years ago ..t'was all I could get!) So If you don't plan on continuing to use them, don't develop you load with them because I do no know if the Fed Standard Small Rifle Primers are the same

 

[462]

Jim,
Your two points are well made, and I am aware of both.

I've a conundrum that I've been thinking about for several weeks:
1. Develop a load using the 500 free AR Gold Medal Match, and pay a king's ransom for more when they are gone?
2. Buy a regular primer (Winchester) and completely forego the Federals.
Problem is, I have the Federals on hand, and there are no primers to be had locally.

Midway is having a no Haz-Mat, no shipping sale . . .

 

[CZ93X62]

Midway is having a no Haz-Mat, no shipping sale . . .

That is called a clue where I once worked.

 

[Rick H]

I use Fed 205's for 223Rem and 5.56mm and have never had a problem with slam fires or ignition in two bolt rifles, two AR's, and a Mini-14. Guess I have been lucky but no sign of a slam fire in any of the auto's so far.

 

[JWFilips]

I have recently started to redevelop all my loads for standard CCI primers Easier to get and cheap! ( Except my pistols ....strictly Federal -have some light double action springs) Seems Winchester and CCI are very similar ( Winchester leaves more residue in the pockets however) Remington is another thing completely Loads developed with them I have not found a substitute!
Use what you have Work up your loads....... If it be the Federal Match that is ok..... you just may need to up the load a tiny bit for CCI and Winchester.
If you are shooting full loads well it won't be much....but I shot only light subsonic loads so I see more change with a primer switch!

Check out the prices of primers at Powder Valley They are usually low and offer Free Hazmat or free shipping from time to time

 

[462]

That is called a clue where I once worked.

Not a cop, Allen, but have read a lot of Watson's writings of his and Sherlock's adventures.

Jim,
Powder Valley has depleted my discretionary funds on many occasions.

 

[JWFilips]

Another Hole in the wall Great prices shop thirdgenerationshooterssuppy! Some times they are so low that Hazmat & shipping easily absorbed! Probably have got the lowest price with shipping from them

 

[JWFilips]

462..... Could be worse spending it in a bar with loose ladies!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Rugers have had problems with misfires using some primers. I cannot use a mag primer in my RARR in 300 bo. I stick with Win SR or CCI 400 or Rem SR Match.
I’d avoid the mag and mil primers made for the 556 myself.

Although I will say I shoot mostly 450’s in my Legend. That’s same same as the 300 or 223.

CW

 

[CZ93X62]

No issues using WSR primers in 5.56 gas guns.

 

[Hawk]

I use Remington 7 1/2 SRP.
They are supposed to have thicker cups.
I have never had a problem with slam fires.

 

[Brad]

Rem 7 1/2 is my preferred primer for all things AR. I pierced a few Win SR and wasted a firing pin. The Rem 7 1/2 did me proud.

 

[fiver]

when wolf sr primers outshot feds and wins in the AR rifle I was pretty bummed they had quit importing them 2 years previously.
so now do I hoard the other 13-K I have or go merrily on my way hoping they re-import them, or that federal changes their metallic primers like they are reformulating their shot shell primers here shortly, and they work better?
I'm not gonna worry about it.
when I run out I will just try another powder, deal with groups slightly larger, change neck tension,, or whatever.