Keep Me Out of Trouble

[JackEllis]

First, I need to make up a few hundred rounds of .223 once I'm finished testing a recipe. I suspect I'm going to be pressed for time because my testing range is covered with a couple of feet of snow at the moment and I need to have the hand loads ready by mid-March. What kind of trouble can I get into if I prime the cases now and then store them in a cool, dry place for a month or so until I'm ready to load them?

Second, I've made up test loads for .223 using CCI Benchrest primers because that was all I could buy until a few days ago. If I use the same powder, same charge, same bullet but substitute standard CCI primers at some point down the road, should I redevelop the load from scratch or just confirm the rifle's zero with the new load? I'm thinking the only possible problem I could have substituting primers is with pressure but I'm too chicken to load hotter than the manufacturer's data.

[pacrat]

First, I need to make up a few hundred rounds of .223 once I'm finished testing a recipe. I suspect I'm going to be pressed for time because my testing range is covered with a couple of feet of snow at the moment and I need to have the hand loads ready by mid-March. [1]... What kind of trouble can I get into if I prime the cases now and then store them in a cool, dry place for a month or so until I'm ready to load them?

Second, I've made up test loads for .223 using CCI Benchrest primers because that was all I could buy until a few days ago. If I use the same powder, same charge, same bullet but substitute standard CCI primers at some point down the road, should I redevelop the load from scratch or just confirm the rifle's zero with the new load? [2]...
I'm thinking the only possible problem I could have substituting primers is with pressure but I'm too chicken to load hotter than the manufacturer's data.

[1]...Zip-Loc bags [2]...safe load, is a safe load, pressure wise. Just confirm any POI changes.

JM2c

[Divernhunter]

I prime brass all the time and load it later. Some as much as 2-3 years. Never a problem.
You can check zero but doubt it will change.

[Whiterabbit]

Storing primed brass (typically in MTM cases) is my MO.

Loading for me is measure and dump powder, seat bullet, and get pumped for range day. Occasionally crimping is in there somewhere. Not typically.

[tonyjr]

I deprime a bunch at a time . then clean flash holes and primer pockets , and touch case mouth with reamer .
Then tumble
Then I reprime - maybe as many as 4 or 5 calibers at a time .
I don't use zip lock bags , they go into a loading block / plastic case . Unless a seldom shot caliber , they could sit for a month or to .
Lately , I have have a hard time finding pills for the 25 , 32 APC ACP and the 41 mag . [ I just found a place that sold me 50 41 mag cases . ]

[divingin]

I doubt you'll see any difference at all going from BR to standard primers. I never did. Other than your wallet will be a bit heavier.

I usually prime cases while I'm bored; I just keep them in a plastic box on the shelf. In reality, it's no different than keeping primers on a shelf (might actually be better since the primed cases are in a semi-airtight container.) I've loaded primers that sat on a shelf for decades, and had no problems with those, so...

jky

[highpower790]

[nedro]

Aren't CCI #41 used for ARs?
Only assuming because of caliber.

[highpower790]

Aren't CCI #41 used for ARs?
Only assuming because of caliber.

41s are a primer that closely duplicates a mil spec primer.Some like to use them for the harder primer cup in semi auto's.

[nedro]

Ya they use them in free float striker designs so when you switch to full auto, there are no worries.
Allot of 6.8 guys use them in their ARs.
I bought CCI 450s for my 6.8.

[koehn,jim]

Bench rest primers are more sensitive to ignition than standard. I only use mil-spec primers in gas guns.

[tonyjr]

Not really into primers .
Would you know if CCI regular and magnum primers are mil-spec ?
Other than one 357 revolver , my 357 , 41 , 44 and 50 AE are all desert
Eagles .
In fact all my semi autos are gas from the 22 lr to the 50 AE and have not
had problems
FYI - all I use are CCI primers . The last batch I bought were BR - only because that was all they had . I saw not difference .
Would you know if CCI makes a BR magnum primer ?

[ojisan]

Just for fun I left three primers on a shelf in my garage for a year.
The shelf was right by the door during the last El Nino rains.
While the primers were not out in the rain, they got damp and wet from condensation many times.
At the end of the year I primed three empty cases to test the primers...they all went bang on the first hit.

[five.five-six]

I have primers from the 1970's. They have not been hermetically sealed and always go bang. No problems.

[nedro]

Not really into primers .
Would you know if CCI regular and magnum primers are mil-spec ?
Other than one 357 revolver , my 357 , 41 , 44 and 50 AE are all desert
Eagles .
In fact all my semi autos are gas from the 22 lr to the 50 AE and have not
had problems
FYI - all I use are CCI primers . The last batch I bought were BR - only because that was all they had . I saw not difference .
Would you know if CCI makes a BR magnum primer ?

CCI #41 (Small Rifle Primers) Mil-spec
CCI #34 (Large Rifle Primers) Mil-spec
CCI #35 Mil-spec for the 50 BMG

I do not think CCI makes a Mil-spec Pistol Primer.
Magnums ARE NOT Mil-spec primers.