The most desirable brand of Shot Shell Primers is?

[Just Duke]

I know primers for metallic rifle reloading depends on what your doing with it. i.e. Gold Medal Match Primers for rifle is most always preferred for match rifle ammo.
So what is the preferred brands for shot shells? Myself I'm thinking Winchester for our Remington STS Hulls the wife and I acquired but I'm open to suggestions. I'm ordering this mourning so were hoping we get several responses.
TIA,
Duke and Barbie.

[turmech]

I try not to subsitute primers listed in shotgun data. In my case I have the most data for win 209 primers so that is what I buy.

[bradh]

Been using nothing but WIN 209's for thirty years = no problems.

[Just Duke]

I try not to subsitute primers listed in shotgun data. In my case I have the most data for win 209 primers so that is what I buy.

I just checked and yes your right.

[Bren R.]

I try not to subsitute primers listed in shotgun data. In my case I have the most data for win 209 primers so that is what I buy.

Exactly this. In my notes, I list loads with NON-Winchester primers with the primer called for in red just to draw my attention to them since the W209 is so ubiquitous.

Bren R.

[phaessler]

I used to use CCI for everything , but they changed thier construction, so now its just Win for me also...

Pete

[kullas]

Win is what i use

[Buttonbuck]

Winchester is most popular but they sell out frequently. Is there a direct replacement for them? I think I will buy 1K next time I buy supplies.

[jimb16]

1K? I buy at least 5K whenever I buy.

[35remington]

Don't forget the weather conditions and your loading.

It is more and more popular to load 7/8 ounce loads in 12 gauge, and some are even loading 3/4 ounce, including me. The problem with this is that it is lighter than 12 gauges normally shoot, and the pressures aren't all that high. Add in a cold day, soak the shells outside in your pickup until they are good and cold and you have a recipe for off sounding shots, higher velocity variation and dirtier burning. Which means the pressures and ignition are so problematic you're on the verge of a blooper.

Shotshell pressures are among the lowest in handloading, and it doesn't pay to push pressure too low in the cold.

Sometimes the only thing needed to help is a hotter primer, as in the Federal 209A or CCI 209M. These are your friends while hunting in extreme conditions as well with some (certainly not all) load combinations.

As far as "hotness" of primers, Fiocchi has some of the mildest, Remington is next, and Winchester is middle of the road. The mentioned two primers above, the 209A and 209M, are the hottest.

I use Winchester the most, as I like driving down the middle of that road. But you can bet there are some 209A's and 209M's in my stash as well, and that will never change. Choose your loads and pressures wisely and the Winchester primer can do for everything. But flirt with light shot charges or low pressures or slow burning powders in the cold and a hotter primer option makes a better performing load possible.

Sometimes "hotter" is good.

[OnHoPr]

Depends on where you live and your intended use, such as seasons and hunting or trap loads. I have always been a CCI user, but not exclusively.

[ovendoctor]

Winchester here for everything

Doc.

[Bren R.]

As far as "hotness" of primers, Fiocchi has some of the mildest, Remington is next, and Winchester is middle of the road. The mentioned two primers above, the 209A and 209M, are the hottest.

I second that list, And I'd add Cheddite primers in around Remington primers - though they do mike a bit larger than standard 209s.

Bren R.

[TonyfromItaly]

in Italy we have fiocchi 614 (low) 615 (medium) 616 (high)

or Nobel Sport 684 686 688.

high power primers we use for slow burning powders, low power primers for fast burning powders or to decrease pressure from heavvy customized loads with slow burning powders.

unfortunately win 209 are not available here, since they are know to be the most consistent of all. Winchester has mastered the primers' quality.

[Rick N Bama]

I have a couple boxes of CCI 209M with the remainder being Winchester.

Rick

[mtgrs737]

I try and pick loadings that will generate at least 9000 psi and I do prefer Winchester 209 primers using them exclusively for many years now. If you will be shooting in cold weather I suggest you pick loadings that are over 10,000 psi to avoid off sounding reports and performance. Just stick to the reloading manuals or online powder company loadings and you will not have to worry about high pressures wrecking your shotgun.

[Vinne]

Been using Wolf Primers this year and see no problems...the price is right too!!

[Nix]

Used CCI 209's for two years, then switched to Winchester 209's for the same reason most folks here seem to have; far more load data available for it. I've never noticed much of a difference as far as accuracy or reliability goes.

[longbow]

Well, I will say that the most desirable brand of primer is the correct one for the job... according to the recipe.

There can be a tremendous amount of variation in "poop" between brands and all shotgun primers are not the same.

According to my reloading manuals a change of primer brand can result in up to 3000 PSI increase in pressure. If the load is low pressure to start with then not a problem but if it is a max load then could well be.

The opposite is also true. The load could be a low pressure load with a "hot" primer and you substitute a cooler primer and get a blooper.

Tom Armbrust has an interesting article about this here:

http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/primersubs.htm

Longbow

[DrBill33]

Cheddite is my first choice. Great consistency