Rem 6 1/2 versus 7 1/2 Primers??

J

jimfinn

Guest
As everyone knows getting components is a bummer of late. In AK we don't have a cost effective way to ship powder and primers as there is no real UPS Ground from Outside to here. So I'm stuck with what the local stores get in.

I am working with my first 6mmBR rifle. I have some (about 400) Fed 205M, and Remington 7 1/2 Benchrest (about 600) primers. A local store had one carton of 1,000 Rem 6 1/2 primers, so I scooped them up.
I went on Remington's website and they gave no explanation on the difference between 7 1/2 and 6 1/2 primers.

Can anyone enlighten me? Is it probable that any loads I work up with the 6 1/2 primers will be of no use with the 7 1/2 primers. What I'm thinking of doing is using the 6 1/2 for initial load development and save the 7 1/2 primers for final tweaking and loads.

I've read that some folks really like the CCI BR and 450 primers. I was able to pick up a 1,000 CCI BR-2 (Large Rifle) primers in the same store, but no luck with Small Rilfe there.

Thanks
Jim
 
Jim, back before the .222 Rem came out and those nasty Benchrest shooters got ahold of it the 6 1/2 was Remington's standard small. But when Benchrest and live varmint shooters began loading for it they began piercing primers and maybe having other primer failures. Consequently they brought out the 7 1/2 for the .222, and other high pressure small rifle primer loads.

The 6 1/2's likely won't be too happy at 55-65 kpsi.

I've found that CCI 400's are harder (or have sturdier) cups than other small rifle primers except for CCI 450's and Rem 7 1/2's. I've had good luck with CCI's.
 
The 7 & 1/2's have always been the toughest small rifle primer I have ever used... it worked where others leaked in high pressure loadings...
 
Thanks Guys!
That's the definitive the kind of information I was looking for. Not really the answer I was hoping for, but I needed to know that.
Now to find someone who can use them.....
Big Al, are you shooting anything that you could use these for?
The only small rifle primer cartridge I have is the 6mmBR.
Jim
 
Jim, this has been on my mind since you first posted your fist post. Go or call Boondockers. Ask them if you can special order some primers. I call ahead and place and order and then follow up with a stop in and pay the advance purchase price. I do this because they are the only ones that will special order the Winchester primers I prefer. I found out when testing primers (back in the 90's) that Winchester were the primers that would allow me shoot groups just like the Federal match primers.

I do have a use for the primers you mention in my single shot wildcat barrels with two vary low power offhand rifle loads. In fact the loading data that came with both barrels calls for the #6 1/2 Remington primers. Of cource I've had this 1885, since I've never cast any bullets, loaded any shells for it in the last 3 or 4 years I've had it, so I not in any hurry.

Give Boondockers a call and see what they say. Just buy a case and wear out two barrels. I have five or six cases of large rifle Winchester primers on the shelf, if you need any?
 
Hey Al,
I'll give you a call or you can always call me 622-0900, to figure out when to get the 6 1/2 primers.
I have been getting powder through Boondocks via the pre-order method. Just give them a couple of buck and tell em what I want, then they call when it comes in. They are good folks to deal with. I just didn't think to ask them about primers.
I am set for large rifle primers, but thanks for the offer.
Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top