Small Rifle primer question

[Supersapper]

Hi All,

I'm starting to get the components together to reload .223/5.56 for an AR series rifle.

My buddy mentioned slamfire issues with standard small rifle primers in this weapon (because of the floating firing pin) and recommended getting the stronger primers, ie CCI 5.56 primers, Remington 7 1/2, etc.

I'ds like to get the expert opinion on which would be the best purchase. I'm especially interested in your opinion (good or bad) if you've used them for a while.

My buddy just deals with it and uses standard Winchester small rifle ones and, having used some of the ammo, the slamfire issue is confirmed. I checked on the primer seating, and it is all fairly solid and uniform depth. Never had it on the military ammo my unit shoots, so...

I'd like to get some opinions on which is best to use in reloading for an AR 15 series weapon.

Thanks much!

[ocabj]

Primers to stay away from:

Winchester Small Rifle
Remington 6-1/2

The Winchester SR since the early 2000s with the gold cup (as opposed to the older silver cup) can't handle AR pressures. Trust me on this. I've pierced and lost the anvils of quite a few Winchester SR primers before I wised up.

Remington 6-1/2 cups are too thin for .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO. You need to use Remington 7-1/2.

I personally use CCI BR4, CCI Small Rifle Magnum, Remington 7-1/2, and Wolf SRM.

I have only had one slam fire in my life and that's with a Remington 7-1/2. Luck of the draw on that one. Was practicing 200 yard slow fire standing in the Service Rifle. Single loaded through the chamber, let the bolt fly home and it slam fired. Good thing that happened during practice and not a match. I would have lost 10 points on that.

[edgerly779]

I just had one happen in my 6.8 with tula srp.

[longrange99]

A slamfire can also be caused by your buffer spring rate. In short, the bolt may not reset the hammer to the lock position if the load isn't powerful enough. Using a lighter buffer spring can correct this issue.

Nothing wrong with using CCI's they actually work pretty well and with the proper load, your SD and ES values will be fairly tight. Federal (also owns CCI) makes an AR Match primer that is made for this application. But they are nearly impossible to locate.

[bohoki]

ive loaded plenty of the winchester small rifle with 223 so far so good but i mostly shoot them out of a mini 14

my last batch was some of that cci 556 white box stuff

[highpower790]

I prefer Rem 7 1/2,but have had success with others.Russian Magnum primers I consider equal to the 7 1/2,Russian "standard(copper colored) primer" work as long as its not loaded to max pressure.

[Enfield47]

I've been using the CCI #41 primers with no problems. I know several people also like the Tula small rifle primers and they also make a 556 magnum primer.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Primers to stay away from:

Winchester Small Rifle
Remington 6-1/2

Also the Wolf copper ones (or copper wash, or whatever...). Had MAJOR issues with those!

In addition to a few slams, also had a few blow out. Good thing I was running them through my BWK before I sold it.

[BenHa]

Also the Wolf copper ones (or copper wash, or whatever...). Had MAJOR issues with those!

In addition to a few slams, also had a few blow out. Good thing I was running them through my BWK before I sold it.

Never had any issue with Tula/Wolf small magnum rifle primer.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Never had any issue with Tula/Wolf small magnum rifle primer.

Don't think these were magnum but I don't remember. They were copper...

[ocabj]

Wolf SRM are 'copper' in color. I still have a lot of them. No issues with them with my standard 77gr + 24.0gr RL15 load.

[Jasonaspears]

Dang...have had no issues with Winchester SR primers and have shot a few thousand. I'm going to watching more closely now

[norbs007]

Dang...have had no issues with Winchester SR primers and have shot a few thousand. I'm going to watching more closely now

Same here... been using WSR for 223, 38 Supercomp, 9mm Major and 40S&W for years and never had a slam fire. Not saying it won't happen though... also agree to stay away from Remington 6-1/2.

[Pauliedad]

Been using Winchester Small Rifle with no problems.
First I've heard of this. Only been loading about a year and a half but read this forum almost daily.
Any others out there have knowledge?

[coryhenry]

I like to use CCI #41, it costs a little more but the peace of mind is worth it for me.