Primer Question

[Alanski56]

Good afternoon All,

I have a question that hopefully some of you folks could clarify for me. Actually, I have 2 questions.

The first question is: Are Remington 7 1/2 small rifle primers magnum primers? The table in my Hornady reloading manual, 7th Edition says they are magnum primers. The table in my Nosler reloading manual, 6th Edition says they are not magnum but bench rest. The actual primer boxes themselves say they are bench rest and make no mention of "Magnum" , if my memory serves me correctly.

My second question is: I've been reloading .223 and .308 for over 5 years now. I started into the reloading world with an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Kit and with that kit came the Speer reloading manual, 13th Edition. The powder I have historically used for both .223 and .308 is Hodgdon BL-C2 double base spherical powder. The Speer manual lists the use of "Magnum" primers when using BL-C2 for .223 and .308, which I have been doing until recently. I cannot find magnum small rifle primers in my area and I'm not sure I will be for a long time, if ever. However, I did come across 2,000 CCI #400 small rifle primers (non-magnum) and jumped on them. Finally to my question: Do any of you know if there may be any possible issues with using the CCI #400 small rifle primers with BL-C2 charges ranging from 24.5 grains to 25.3 grains for .223? I understand that some authorities recommend the magnum primers because double based ball powder is a little more difficult to ignite than the others. I also understand that some authorities also recommend the magnum primers in sub freezing temperatures (I live in the S.F Bay Area). However, For the life of me I cannot think this small amount of double based ball powder wouldn't be efficiently and consistently fired off with using standard small rifle primers.

Can any of you help me straighten these 2 questions out? I certainly appreciate any help you can offer.

Have a nice afternoon.

Alan N.

[Fjold]

I've been loading 223, 243 and 308 for years with BL-c(2) and standard primers and have never had a problem. I've even used the 243 and 308 in winter temperatures in Idaho and they worked fine.

[Alanski56]

I've been loading 223, 243 and 308 for years with BL-c(2) and standard primers and have never had a problem. I've even used the 243 and 308 in winter temperatures in Idaho and they worked fine.

Excellent! Thank you for your response. That's what I was hoping and kind of expecting to hear. I just can't get a straight answer in my research regarding what type of primer the Remington 7 1/2 small rifle is. For .223 Rem/BL-C2, The Sierra reloading manual lists the Remington 7 1/2 for both their AR-15 and bolt action loads, the Nosler manual lists Remington 7 1/2 for .223 Rem and Winchester WSR for their 5.56 x 45mm NATO loads (There's one clue). The Hornady manual lists Winchester WSR for both the .223 Rem and .223 Rem Service Rifle loads (clues 2 and 3) and Speer #13 manual lists CCI #450 magnums for their .223 loads. Deep inside I knew there couldn't be an isse of not being able to ignite the BL-C2 with standard primers unless I was using a .300 Win Mag or something like that with a boatload of powder to fire off. But not with .223 and .308. I just wanted more than theory but feedback from someone who is actually doing it successsfully. Now I don't have to focus on one primer type with the way the world of components is these days.


Again, thank you for your feedback.

Have a nice evening.

[Fjold]

You're welcome.
Just to show that I still use it, here's a picture of my powder cabinet. I don't even own any SR magnum primers.

[Alanski56]

Oh that is very, very nice! I received an 8lb container of BL-C2 about a week ago. The stuff is like friggin' gold! That 296 you have there in the background looks like you might have had it for a while. Don't throw away those cans. We'll never see the likes of that again. I use 296 for loading my .357 Magnum. Yup, plain old plastic can! I also see that you might have some Winchester SXT's on your lower shelf. I use those for my .40 caliber home defense handgun (165 grain in particular). Hmmm! Possible we might think a little alike. I like that! I'm trying to find another 8lb container of BL-C2. I used about 1 pound of my 8 so far and I should be good for quite a while but with the way things have been going out there in the market I feel the need to double up on all of the components I usually keep on hand. Maybe even triple up! Anyway, thank you again for the input. I really appreciate it.

Have a nice evening.

[Gunsrruss]

BLC-2

I have used standard primers for BLC-2 forever. It was good enough to get me to NRA Master. I have 56LB of WCC 846 which is like BLC-2. I used Federal 205 till the shortage started. Recently I got 5,000 205M from Natchez and was glad of it. I was down to 500 CCI 41's. So reload your heart out By the way I use 24.7gr of 846 for a 75gr Hornady bullet. OAL 2.255....80gr Nosler 24.5gr with OAL 2.435. I will be trying out 80gr A-Max here soon.