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    A quick guide to primers    
     

Manufacturer

Designation

Comments

CCI-ATK

CCI 209

Standard output

CCI-ATK

CCI 209M

Magnum primer for harder to ignite powders

Cheddite

CH209

Standard output

Federal

FED 209A

Standard + output. However under some conditions can produce higher than normal output.

Fiocchi

F 615

Standard primer with a low - mild output

Fiocchi

F 616

Standard output

Remmington

209

Standard output

Winchester

W 209

Standard output

 
  • It is well known that different primers deliver different energy levels. The way each company manufactures and formulates the chemical composition and configures the hardware (metallic) parts of the primer all play a major role in how the primer will deliver it's energy to the powder.

  • Shotgun primers are very sensitive to firing pin energy. This is due to the proportionally large displacement/deformation that must take place when the primers cup is crushed.

  • It is extremely difficult to pin data down to one load, where primer X will always deliver higher performances than primer Y. If all conditions are the same, the differences between primers will rarely be dangerous. It is obvious that if the load you are using is already running at the maximum level with primer X, it would be unwise to merely changed to primer Y and continue loading. This is also true for any change in other components or procedure.

  • Once any component or procedure is changed, the combination will react differently. The proper way to proceed is to reduce the load by about 0.5 - 0.7 grains, and then confirm the performance by measuring the velocity or sensing the recoil/flight time. The re-loader can then adjust back to the original velocity or recoil level by increasing or decreasing the charge mass, or by adjusting to a stiffer/softer wad, or decreasing or increasing the crimp.

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