210M vs 215M Primers

[Twisted .308]

I came across alot of (5000 ) 215 Match Magnum primers from a friend . I am currently reloading the 210's at 41grs Varget w/ 168smk's
How much of a difference is there between the 2 primers ?? Should I drop down to 39grs if I use the 215's ?? and start here or more ??
Out of a 20" LTR .308 Rem.700

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Twisted .308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I came across alot of (5000 ) 215 Match Magnum primers from a friend . I am currently reloading the 210's at 41grs Varget w/ 168smk's
How much of a difference is there between the 2 primers ?? Should I drop down to 39grs ?? and start here or more ??
Out of a 20" LTR .308 Rem.700 </div></div>

It's always prudent to 'work up' again, when changing components, especially primers and especially when going from standard to magnums.

Whether 39 grs is fine, as a new starting point, I can't say because I don't shoot the 210s yet.

Chris

 

[ksthomas]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

The 215s are significantly "hotter" than the 210s. Yes, you'll want to back these off and work the loads back up again with the new primers.

My recommendation woulf be to save these for a larger case or a real magnum that can benefit from the 215s. Accuracy will likely suffer a bit in a 308, as this is just more ignition than you need in the smaller case. Excessive ignition and best accuracy just don't go hand in hand.

 

[Rob01]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

I wouldn't use them in a .308 as Kevin mentioned.

Also so you know, Hodgdon lists 42grns as the starting load with the 168SMK bullets and Varget and a max of 46grns.

You can look here yourself
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[Twisted .308]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

Co-Worker is fixing to order some reloading components and said he will swap me for the 215's and order me the 210's when he puts in the order this week ...Thanks for the replys ! I really didn't want to go and have to change my set up ! but hey ..they were free !!

I just started this reloading game and until I get some experience under my belt , I used 41grs as a safety factor....I am double checking powder weights and weighing final loads...just want to make sure I have all the fundimentals down before I start working my way up to hotter loads ..
Thanks for the Link also ! ;-)

 

[Unknown]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

I'm sure that you could work up a load if you had to. But, I think I would only consider that in an EOTWAWKI sort of scenario. Otherwise, I would buy, trade for, or otherwise use appropriate primers for the smaller cases.

I agree with Kevin, that accuracy will suffer. However, if you are determined, I'm pretty sure you can start low, and end up with cartridges that go "bang" safely...they just won't give you optimum velocity, or accuracy. I'll bet pressures and extreme spread on your loads will be all over the place.

 

[300ATT]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

The 215's are hotter than the 210's and the general thought on the subject is that cooler primers produce more consistent and all around better results. That being said, I was out of 210M's and tried 215's in there place and could not tell the difference in POI or group size of a 168gr match load and a 175 grain match load that I use in most .308's.

Buy them, trade them, try them out, perhaps they will work just fine.

Good shooting ...

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: .300 AT&T</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 215's are hotter than the 210's and the general thought on the subject is that cooler primers produce more consistent and all around better results. That being said, I was out of 210M's and tried 215's in there place and could not tell the difference in POI or group size of a 168gr match load and a 175 grain match load that I use in most .308's.

Buy them, trade them, try them out, perhaps they will work just fine.

Good shooting ... </div></div>

Speer likes to use magnum primers when they work up loads using ball powders in rifle cartridges, so they can be appropriate in certain applications.

Chris

 

[Grumulkin]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

Tell me gentlemen, if you have a BIG pile of brush, which will start the biggest fire; a match or a blowtorch? Compared to the amount of powder in a 308 case, the amount of extra explosive in a 215 primer compared to a 210 primer is trivial. As long as I wasn't already running on the ragged edge of a maximum load I would, and have, interchanged the twain without changing powder charge.

I also haven't found the "use magnum primers with ball powders" dictum to be born out in real life. A great example of this is a load I have using an extruded powder, i.e., IMR 4227, in a 357 Herrett. That cartridge shows a definite preference for CCI 250 (LR magnum) primers even though it's not a large case and a ball powder isn't being burned. Likewise, I have ball powder loads with which I use regular primers.

When you get to smaller cases, i.e., 44 Remington Magnum, then primers can make a pressure difference. When trying large rifle primers in 44 Mag. loads, I found I had to decrease the powder charge by 1 or 2 grains (with H110 if I remember correctly).

 

[former naval person]

Re: 210M vs 215M Primers

Old thread reply...a few years ago, Handloader Magazine had an article going into this at depth. Results in this persons rifle was that Varget with CCI magnum primers gave the least excursions and best groups. I'd use them. JMHO