Primer choice 223?

S

squirrelyhunter

Guest
New to the accuracy loading but have tried to do the best with what I can afford. Started off buying LCA pre primed brass with CCI primers, now after playing with some loads, equipment etc I'd like to understand primers better. Are there primers better suited for the 223. The barrel on the rifle I'm loading for is a 20" 1 in 9. Also is using a factory crimp a good idea?


Thanks
 
.223 Primers

I'm assuming form your description that you are shooting an AR and the CCI primers are probably #41 to prevent slam fires in a semi-automatic.

FWIW I factory crimp semi-automatic ammunition because magazine length doesn't always allow optimum seating depth. - nhk
 
In order to find out what primer your rifle/load like best you're going to have to try the various primers available to you. I've used WSR, Rem 7 1/2, CCI 400's and 450's in loading for my AR and found that 7 1/2's and WSR's both work well, but the 7 1/2's don't flatten as much. Since I'm using 75 gr Hornady HPBT's that are in full contact with the case neck I don't crimp, although I've considered getting a Redding taper crimp die. I'm not convinced that crimping is necessary though, and haven't used it with my M1 loads either.
 
Rifle is actually a Remington ctx compact bolt gun. I think I may try some of the match or bench primers, I would have to assume that these have tighter tolerances?
 
Remington 7 & 1/2's are the toughest primer... they will resist rupturing or cratering more than any other one out there...
 
Bolt gun

squirrelyhunter said:
Rifle is actually a Remington ctx compact bolt gun. I think I may try some of the match or bench primers, I would have to assume that these have tighter tolerances?
Click to expand...

Try Fed GM205M with Varget with 50-69 gr bullets. I use Rem 7-1/2 and CCI 400 primers also. - nhk
 
I've also got a Savage 112 in .223 with a factory 1 in 9 barrel. It handles bullets up to the 75 gr Hornady HPBT, but it may be unusual in that respect. For short range work lighter bullets may give best accuracy, but for 300 yards and out the heavier, 68 to maybe 77 gr bullets will likely work better.

I've used WSR's with no problems in bolt action rifles, and most of the others too. I'm not sure that the match primers will be worth the extra expense in a factory rifle, but they may. If the powder is changed the primer may need to be changed too. Some powders are very touchy about what lights them off.
 
I doubt that in a factory rifle that you would be able to tell any difference without extensive, very extensive testing. If you are running normal pressures, just pick the cheapest.

Donald
 
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