AR primers

[10fcp]

I have a buddy of mine getting ready to reload for his AR. I have been telling him to get small rifle mag primers instead of just small rifle. It is my understanding that the mag primers have a harder cup and better suited for rifles with a floating firing pin. Rem 7 1/2, CCI arsenal or 450's, or wolf 223 primers( the last batch I got said 223 on the box) I think it's cheap insurance to use them. How many of you guy's use regular small rifle primers and what have your experiences been. Thanks much for your input.

[oops]

just reloaded for the first time so I am no expert but I used winchester WSR and had no problem with slam fire... Only 150 rounds but again no issue

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I use nothing but regular primers, weather they be small rifle or large rifle for my AR's, M1 Carbines or Garands or M1A's... and it doesn't matter if they are for match loads or plinkin' or blasting loads.

[Fjold]

I've never used a small rifle magnum primers but I've only been reloading for ARs for three years.

[buffybuster]

I use whichever I happen to have or can get. Never had any issues, though I don't run my loads to the maximum and always leave myself a cushion.

[Sheldon]

Just got into this in regards to Wolf brand primers in small rifle size. They sell one that is either labeled small magnum rifle primer also seen labeled as for .223 Rem. Then they sell their regular small rifle primer. The Widener's site mentions the .223/magnum version is better suited for use in the AR15 because of its thicker primer cup that would withstand the pressures better and the free floating firing pin as well. On AR15.com people have mentioned using the non magnum version with no ill effect. As far as other brands go, CCI sells an arsenal version which has a thicker cup as well. I have never used them and have never had an issue with my AR15 or M1A. Probably good insurance, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it either way. I would have ordered the Wolf magnums had they had them in stock when I ordered, but I ended up with 10K of the non magnum version and plan on trying them out.

[bcrich]

I have used the wolf small rifle primers (reg not magnum) and didn't have any issues with them, loaded about 1k of them all went bang. My favorite is cci 400 they fit nice and snug in the pockets when others felt a little loose

[Jon Se]

Just got into this in regards to Wolf brand primers in small rifle size. They sell one that is either labeled small magnum rifle primer also seen labeled as for .223 Rem. Then they sell their regular small rifle primer. The Widener's site mentions the .223/magnum version is better suited for use in the AR15 because of its thicker primer cup that would withstand the pressures better and the free floating firing pin as well. On AR15.com people have mentioned using the non magnum version with no ill effect. As far as other brands go, CCI sells an arsenal version which has a thicker cup as well. I have never used them and have never had an issue with my AR15 or M1A. Probably good insurance, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it either way. I would have ordered the Wolf magnums had they had them in stock when I ordered, but I ended up with 10K of the non magnum version and plan on trying them out.

If you were curious about the thicker cup primers they are CCI #41.

[Agustav]

Wolf magnum primers are basically the same primer as the non-magnum primer except with thicker cups. All other brand, magnum doesn't neccessary mean thicker cups, but they do burn hotter then regular primers. I wouldn't use CCI, Winchester or Remington Magnum primers for AR, but Wolf is a good cheap insurance!

[popeye4]

Shouldn't matter

I don't know Wolf primers (I have read some allege that they are somewhat sensitive), but the rest don't really exhibit hardness differences between regular or magnum. You'd use a magnum primer for large loads of slow powder or ball powder, regular for others (usually the manual specifies which). If you substitute magnum primers where regular primers were used to develop the load, you should back off a bit on the starting powder charge, as the hotter primer CAN cause an increase in pressure.

From what I understand (and I haven't run any controlled tests to verify), CCI makes hard primers (the military CCI #34 and #41 are even harder primers and are equivalent to magnum primers). Winchester primers used to have a reputation for being a bit hotter as they used a lot of ball powder in their factory loads. Federal are alleged to be a bit more sensitive and some say to avoid them with the autoloaders/floating firing pins.

I use the CCI #34 primers in my M14, but never had a slam fire with CCI standards or Winchester primers. It is probably more critical that you use a primer pocket uniformer and make sure the primers are seated properly (below the case head) to avoid slam fires. IMHO, high primers are much more of a risk than the relative hardness value.

[Jicko]

Use whatever you can FIND today..... lol

[Darklyte27]

ya.. IF you can find any... haha

[Full Clip]

I have only used the CCI #41s for .223 but good to know the Wolf SR primers are good cause I ended up with some in a trade. For my 7.62x39s, I only use the #34s as I'm paranoid about slamfires in my SKSs...

[Beelzy]

Magnum rifle primers are prefered for loads that are used in sub-freezing
environments.

Safety first as always, watch for pressure signs when using them in the Summer. Warm loads can turn HOT when working near max. loadings.

[Rule .308]

I have been using Winchester small rifle primers for 20+ years with no ill effects.