5.56 reloading, which primers for AR-15?

[chad2]

I have lake city brass and I am looking to make the most precise 77gr smk bullets that i can. I am reloading for an AR15, 20 inch match barrel, with a YMF match bcg. My question is, what primers should I use? I was going to buy cci primers but they have 3 diff types of primers for the 556 which ones should I get?

Is milspec primers a must with ARs.

I am also still waiting for natchez or anyone else to get more then 1 lb of RL15. to place my order.

Thx for the help

 

[BigRick]

I use federal 205m match primers.

 

[outrider58]

I've used CCI #400, Winchester WSR, Federal #205, and I just ordered some CCI #41. I have had no problems with any of them. They've all gone bang for me.

 

[molonlabe]

Same here. The mil spec primers are hard to find I never had a problem with any large one small rifle primers either in my AR of M1A

 

[Speed3]

I've used CCI BR primers and #41s...I've heard internet rumors of slam fires without Mil primers but yet to actually see one

 

[Jaybeez]

#41
small rifle magnum (cci or wolf/tula preferred)

 

[chad2]

I use federal 205m match primers.

I would use these if I could ever find them. CCI is the only thing consistently instock.

 

[chad2]

Looks like #400 for me thanx guys!

 

[outrider58]

Looks like #400 for me thanx guys!

#400s will do you fine. I ordered #41s today from here...

http://powdervalleyinc.com/

 

[BigRick]

I would use these if I could ever find them. CCI is the only thing consistently instock.

This is the 1 item I go to the nations gun show for. 9 out of 10 times they have plenty of them there.

 

[BigRick]

I should say I only use the 205m primers for my 77gr loads. I use CCI 400s in all my other 223 loads. I do have 1000 41's but haven't broke into them yet.

 

[BradMacc82]

Started with 400's, felt they were a bit soft and showed pressure signs prematurely - but always went bang. Switched to the 41's, slightly higher cost, but liked them.

Of all the things, I had some of the best consistency with H335 and Wolf/Tula srp's. Got them because they were cheap and plentiful, actually turned out to be a winning combo for me and my rifles/ammo.

 

[alucard0822]

I use CCI 400s, BR or other brands may work up a couple tenths of a grain different. I don't really shoot in a style precise enough to tell a difference in accuracy compared to other component changes. Standard CCIs are fairly hard, have never had slamfire issues, 41s might help if I did, but then you could have ignition issues with aftermarket triggers, Fed are probably the softest, if your rifle will ever have a slamfire, it would probably be with federal.

 

[outrider58]

I use CCI 400s, BR or other brands may work up a couple tenths of a grain different. I don't really shoot in a style precise enough to tell a difference in accuracy compared to other component changes. Standard CCIs are fairly hard, have never had slamfire issues, 41s might help if I did, but then you could have ignition issues with aftermarket triggers, Fed are probably the softest, if your rifle will ever have a slamfire, it would probably be with federal.

Winchesters WSR are supposed to be softer. I use them in my 20'' rifle mostly. Haven't had a slam-fire yet and that's with a JP FCG in it(no bump fires either).

 

[Wheaton Hills Sportsman]

I think as long as you stick to one of the "Holliger" loads [http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm] you will be okay. I prefer bench rest primers, but it can get pricey, I only used them at first because they were all I could get during a pre-Obama primer shortage and have stuck with them. I would trim all the brass to the same size.

 

[chad2]

I should say I only use the 205m primers for my 77gr loads. I use CCI 400s in all my other 223 loads. I do have 1000 41's but haven't broke into them yet.

Why 205 for the 77gr?

 

[yellowfin]

Why 205 for the 77gr?

Longer range needs more precision.

 

[dist1646]

Avoid Winchester primers. They have thin cups and a tendency to pierce, which does bad things to your bolt face and firing pin. Russian small rifle magnum primers (Wolf/Tula) are good but, they don't seem to be importing them anymore thanks to Obama. CCI BR4 or Remington 7 1/2 BR primers are good. Unfortunately, CCI has lost their mind when it comes to the price of their BR primers! I started testing CCI 400 primers recently, since I picked up several thousand for almost nothing. They are actually giving me smaller groups than the CCI BR primers, so far. I have not pushed "hot"loads with these and see no need to.
There are powders other than RE15 that work extremely well. You may want to try IMR 8208 XBR, it is a short grained extruded powder that meters extremely well. IMR 8208 XBR is readily available and did I say it meters extremely well! N140 is also excellent but has become pricey, though it did come out on top in my accuracy testing ( only one lot tested). Accuracy with N140 was so consistent that I saw no need to change powders until it disappeared from the shelves for around 2 years during the panic. Varget has become unobtainium so we won't go there.

 

[atblis]

The Russian primers are actually pretty good and many target shooters use them. Some are a little thin/soft for AR stuff and their naming scheme is a bit confusing so do a little research before heading down that path. They do make ones appropriate for the AR15. At the time I bought them, they were way cheaper than CCI. They also have the benefit of coming oriented the correct way in the trays such that you don't need to flip them when loading Dillon primer tubes.

 

[BUFF7MM]

Avoid Winchester primers. They have thin cups and a tendency to pierce, which does bad things to your bolt face and firing pin. Russian small rifle magnum primers (Wolf/Tula) are good but, they don't seem to be importing them anymore thanks to Obama. CCI BR4 or Remington 7 1/2 BR primers are good. Unfortunately, CCI has lost their mind when it comes to the price of their BR primers! I started testing CCI 400 primers recently, since I picked up several thousand for almost nothing. They are actually giving me smaller groups than the CCI BR primers, so far. I have not pushed "hot"loads with these and see no need to.
There are powders other than RE15 that work extremely well. You may want to try IMR 8208 XBR, it is a short grained extruded powder that meters extremely well. IMR 8208 XBR is readily available and did I say it meters extremely well! N140 is also excellent but has become pricey, though it did come out on top in my accuracy testing ( only one lot tested). Accuracy with N140 was so consistent that I saw no need to change powders until it disappeared from the shelves for around 2 years during the panic. Varget has become unobtainium so we won't go there.

I've been using the Winchester primers for a while and never had a primer pierce, not saying it can't happen, but I guess I've been lucky. I use Remington primers also.
The 8208 XBR is all I use in my 5.56 AR's, definately a good choice in powder for 223/5.56.