What Large Rifle Primers are you using for 308 semi-auto?

[My Toy]

As I've mentioned numerous times I'm not new to reloading just new to reloading for 308 semi-auto. Over the years the only primers I've used for 308 bolt gun, 6.5 swede, 45-70, 30-06 bolt gun, 30-30,and 7mm-08 are either CCI-200, CCI-250 or WLR. Ive been using them so far in my brief career in loading for an AR-10. My question is: are these primers OK or should I be trying to get some of the CCI-34 mil-spec primers for 308 auto. I ask this mostly from the point of view of safety from slam fires that I've read about.
I've noticed as I used the last of my supply of the silver colored WLR primers and started in to the new gold colored WLR primers that the gold ones seem a lot softer. For the same loads with the two different WLR primers the gold ones are way more flattened than the silver ones ( or the CCIs for that matter).
So what are you 308 semi-auto reloaders using?

 

[No1]

You don't need special primers. Keep the bolt and carrier clean and lubed so the firing pin won't get stuck forward. I use Fed GM, CCI, and REM.

 

[MO_Boy]

I have not been reloading long, but have been using Winchester. I did have some issues with primers backing out when I first started loading and came to the conclusion it was the Federal brass because I have used Nato once fired, Black Hills, and Lapua without any issue, even with hotter loads. Unfortunately,, my LMT beats the heck out of brass no matter what kind it is. Side note: Been using Winchester primers for the AR-15's also without any incident whatsoever.

MO Boy

 

[Cornholeo]

I have only used CCI BR in my semi .308 with no problems in Lapua brass.

 

[mtrmn]

The firing pin will leave a slight mark on every chambered round because it floats. That being said, I have changed ALL my rifle loads over to the CCI military primers, autoloader or not. BUT, in the past before I even knew the mil primers were available, I used CCI 200 and CCI 400 primers in all my AR loading with no slam fires. I loaded multiple thousands of rounds for AR15's with the CCI 400 with no problems at all. Also used a few of the Winchester silver primers with no issue.
I hear that Federal primers are a good bit softer, but I've never used any.
CCI states on their website that the military primers have harder cups, a different design anvil that changes the angle (whatever that means) and they are magnum strength.

 

[r2shooter]

I use mainly CCI #200 on AR-10 but have used BR-2s. I've personally never had an issue using either.

 

[copterdrvr]

My friends AR10 does not have a free-floating firing pin like our AR-15's, it has a spring supported firing pin so the softness or hardness of the primer cup is no factor for him.

 

[polish handgunner]

For my M1A I have used CCI'S #34 primers.
For my DPMS 260 I use CCI200s.

 

[mkollman74]

I have used FED210M exclusively in my OBR without issue for two years...

 

[bigedp51]

The CCI#34 and 41 primer use the same cup as the standard and small rifle primers, the "ONLY" difference in the #34 and 41 primer is the anvil is slighly shorter and thus requires a harder blow to set the primer off.

Both the M14 and M16 rifles had slam fire problems when they first came out when a single round was loaded without the magazine in place. Because the magazine was out of the rifle bolt closing velocity was higher and the firing pin had a 1 in 10,000 chance of setting off the primer because of it higher inertia.

The military set primer ignition/force standards and lightened the firing pins in both rifles, this raised the probability of a slam fire to 1 in 10,000,000 without the magazine in place. And as long as the rifle is feeding from the magazine bolt velocity is reduced and the possibility of a slamfire is reduced to 1 in 100,000,000.

Bottom line, Remington ran Lake City Army Ammunition Plant from 1941 till 1985 and Winchester ran Lake city from 1985 till 2001 and Remington and Winchester didn't use CCI #34 and #41 primers. Meaning both Remington and Winchester used their normal primers at Lake City.

Now look at the flash photos of primers firing at the links below and pay attention to the Remington primers. Again Remington ran Lake City from 1941 till 1985 and Remington primers were used to light off Winchester ball powder. The author called Remington primers "mini-flame throwers".

The Rifleman's Journal: Primers - Large Rifle Primer Study

The Rifleman's Journal: Primers - Small Rifle Primer Study

Did I tell you I use Remington primers in my M1 and AR15 rifles. Wink, wink, hint, hint.