Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

[RoosterShooter]

My dealer only has Federal Primers in stock right now.

My progressive press states that I should only use CCI or Winchester primers in my priming system.

Should they be ok?

 

[High Binder]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

More than OK. It's one of my main primers.

 

[RoosterShooter]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Are they ok in progressive presses?

 

[bas402]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Federal Primers are fine but the have soft cups and give you a false primer reading sometimes, meaning that they flatten easier.I use FGMM in my 338LM solely.
Sully

 

[Paladin2147]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Yea, what does the press manufacturer know. Why don't you call them. Or, someone can call them later for you.

 

[Highflyer]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

I have been using Fed. 210 primers for 9 years and have never had a problem.

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

What progressive do you have?

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What progressive do you have? </div></div>
My bet is on RCBS

 

[shoepop]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaveD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What progressive do you have? </div></div>
My bet is on RCBS </div></div>

Sure isn't Dillon.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

several friends of mine have had detonation in their Dillon with the federal primers, the cup is the softest of all cups, you can run them in a dillon but slow down and stop at the first sign of binding.
hope this helps.

 

[Paladin2147]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

There is a reason Federals come in that big ass box. The Federal uses a different more sensitive mix than the others. Its sensitivity is not just the cup thickness. Its a great primer - but take care with it. All primers are not alike, and the Federals are in a category of their own. There is a very good reason some tool manufactures warn against the use of Federal primers. It is not that one will burst, its that when one goes any in close relationship all go in chain reaction with the first.

 

[RoosterShooter]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What progressive do you have? </div></div>

I'm running a Lee Loadmaster & Hornady LNL AP. Both warn to only use CCI & Winchester primers.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kolkio</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> There is a very good reason some tool manufactures warn against the use of Federal primers. It is not that one will burst, its that when one goes any in close relationship all go in chain reaction with the first.</div></div>

This is what I'm worried about.

 

[TexIndian]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

I used nothing but CCI primers for many, many years. Recently I started trying some Fed 210 Match primers in loads for my GAP rifle. I noticed they seat easier than the CCIs, which I'm guessing is due to being slightly smaller or using softer metal. In my first box of 100, I had one that was a misfire - firing pin smashed it good but no ignition. I can't recall ever having a primer fail to ignite except in a couple pistols where the hammer springs had been lightened. Maybe just a fluke. Otherwise they work just fine.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Federal primers are softer/thinner and and ignite easier than other brands. That's why a lot of people use them in revolvers with lightened triggers. I do as well. Never had one not go off. Same could be said with all the other primers as well. I'd bet the cause for the miss fire was either tumbling media in the primer hole or it wasn't seated properly. Both are hard to identify later on.

I do take caution when loading the Federals in my progressive presses. They seem fine in my Dillon square deal & 550 but had the go off in my 650 a couple times. If I use them in my 650, I load one at a time.

Paul

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Federal primers are great. They do as some have said tend to be a bit soft and show early pressure sign.
I did not see anyone mention the fact that once you fire a Fedearl primer in a case you will have to stick with Federal in that case. Anything else will fit loose. I have found them notorious for short primer pocket life.
They are still very good primers.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kolkio</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It is not that one will burst, its that when one goes any in close relationship all go in chain reaction with the first. </div></div>

And I have scars on my hand to show this to be fact. A whole tray in a priming tool went off. 6 stitches and a lot of flash burn. Hand looked like I'd been playing rough with a kitty cat that also had a blow torch.

Haven't used Fed's since.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

My family stopped using Federal primers when we had an incident with our Dillon press, I never found out the details, but the federal primers went off and one of my uncles lost a finger, now all of our presses use CCI primers, I personally use CCI primers as well, I've had them get banged up pretty bad and never had one go off.

 

[Paladin2147]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

As I said, Federal is a good primer - I use a lot of them. If loading for a rifle, the best bet with Federal primers is the single one-at-a-time benchrest primer tool by Sinclare. Great feel and safe. You really do not need to load precession ammo in a hurry. The priming process has much to do with long range accuracy. That's been proven by many - on the target's face.

 

[rbadgett2]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

Are the match grade Federal primers thicker?

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

What about the fed mag primers, like the gm215s? I have always used cci but my local shop was out so I bought federal instead.
Maybe I should have stuck with cci!

 

[Paladin2147]

Re: Federal Primers ... Any Problems?

To my knowledge there is no difference in cup thickness. The Match primers are held to a tighter tolerance but same overall spec..

At the time, the Federal 215 was designed to light up the "then" large volume of powder in the Weatherby line of cartridges. So, its both sensitive and powerful. Those of us who also load large bore Black powder ctgs. like the 50-90 or 45-110 use the Fed 215 to get good combustion. I know of no hotter "Brisance" primer.