Advice on using Fed 210 magnum primers in place of LR primers

[WallNutt]

Thought I read that some had used Federal magnum LR primers in place of regular LR primers. Is this a safe alternative, as I have about 5000 of them laying around a friend gave me? I don't shoot magnum cartridges so was wondering if they could be used as a substitute in .308 loads. If so, how does the powder charge need to be adjusted to safely transition??? Typical load is 168 VLD over 46 gr Varget with a Fed 210. Winchester brass.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Thought I read that some had used Federal magnum LR primers in place of regular LR primers. Is this a safe alternative, as I have about 5000 of them laying around a friend gave me? I don't shoot magnum cartridges so was wondering if they could be used as a substitute in .308 loads. If so, how does the powder charge need to be adjusted to safely transition??? Typical load is 168 VLD over 46 gr Varget with a Fed 210. Winchester brass.

Federal 215s and 215Ms are the magnum primers and 210s and 210Ms are standard primers.

You can drop the load down 8-10% and go from there, working up.

Speer likes to use magnum primers when using ball powders, in all of their rifle load data, FWIW.

Chris

 

[JGorski]

Indeed, 210M are match primers, use em.

 

[WallNutt]

Sorry did not proofread my post. The extra primers I have are 215m Federal. Can they be used in place of 210's and what precautions need to be taken? Chris says drop back 8-10% and roll on. Any others got input. Having hard time finding primers and it makes me sick every time at look at the 5000 count stack of 215m's just sitting there.

 

[pinzmann]

I use them in my 260 Rem, although I developed the load with the 215's. Like the other guy said reduce your load by 10% and work up till you get about the same velocity watching for signs of over pressure. Myself my loads are about 3-4% less than with 210's.

 

[vh20]

Chris says drop back 8-10% and roll on.

Actually he said drop back 8-10% and "go from there, working up." In other words, he is suggesting to work your charge back up after reducing it, until you find the load that gives you the best level of accuracy and performance within acceptable pressures using the new, hotter primer. That's good advice. Perhaps that's what you meant by "roll on," but to me that sounded like just reducing 8-10% and leaving it there.

 

[WallNutt]

No, I was tracking for sure on dropping back and working up from there. So it is something that can work is what Im getting. Always just assumed the 215's could only be used in magnum cartridges. As I said before, like most everyone else Im having trouble running down any 210 LR's and it would be nice to use the huge stack of 215's I have on hand if its safe. Thanks guys big help.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I don't know if 46grs of Varget is over 'somebody's' book, but if it is, go to MAX charge and drop by 8-10% and then start the work ups back up again.

Magnum primers are magnum primers, for a reason. Hotter, longer, more violent sparks that 'can' increase pressures.

Always err on the side of caution when you have 60,000 psi a mere few inches from your face, is my thought on the matter.

I'm too handsome, as it is, to have to worry about ruining my good looks.

Chris

 

[WallNutt]

Sounds good. Question though, with the hotter-longer-magnum spark, is it possible you will reach equivalent velocities and pressure with a lesser charge weight?

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Sounds good. Question though, with the hotter-longer-magnum spark, is it possible you will reach equivalent velocities and pressure with a lesser charge weight?

That's the plan, man.

But only you can 'know'.

Chris

 

[WallNutt]

Nice! Much appreciated.