Best Non-Winchester Primers?

[hanover67]

I've always used Winchester primers and brass for reloading. But, large pistol primers are designated for "Standard and Magnum Pistol Loads" and I wonder if switching to another brand might make sense. I load for .44 Special and .45 ACP and use faster powders, Unique or Bullseye, sometimes 700X, so a standard primer might give me more consistant ignition and accuracy.

What other primers do you use/suggest for these calibers?

[jmort]

I mostly use Winchester (and Unique) but will use CCI as well

[wrench man]

The owner of the LGS swears by "Federal" primers?, the only reason I've ever strayed from CCI's was due to light primmer strikes in a Taurus, was looking for a softer cup?, replaced the *** Taurus with an Uberti 1873 Colt, couldn't be happier!

[Char-Gar]

I have used Winchester, CCI, Federal and Remington LP primers with no clear choice between them.

[btroj]

I tend to buy what I can find for the lowest price.

[Uncle Jimbo]

I always use CCI. Never had a reason not too.

[EdS]

I too have some concern with the current WLP primers "for standard and magnum" loads. Does anyone have data (rather than impressions) concerning the Winchester primers' strength (brisance?) vs. other large pistol primers? Thanks, Ed

[No_1]

My dad, 2 brothers and myself have shot in excess of 10k of the Winchester primers you mentioned and 5k of Remington primers in the last 2 years. They all have gone bang when the trigger was pulled.

[Hogdaddy]

#1-CCI
#2-Winchester

I'll use Federal but don't like the way they are packed. I rather flip over then have to handle with my Big finger As I use a Lee hand primer ; )

H/D

[blackbike]

I understand, what is the problem.
Can you show your data, and how was it collected.
Thanks, BB

[subsonic]

Most Large Pistol primers are around $3.50 per100 locally. Buy 100 of each and try them. See what you think.

I just bought 5000 Wolf Large Pistol primers from Grafs for $107. Have not shot any Wolf LP before, but figured it was worth the gamble, as I shoot a lot of stuff that uses Large Pistol primers. Guess I should get 5000 Tula small pistol too... ;-)

[RobS]

Most Large Pistol primers are around $3.50 per100 locally. Buy 100 of each and try them. See what you think.

I just bought 5000 Wolf Large Pistol primers from Grafs for $107. Have not shot any Wolf LP before, but figured it was worth the gamble, as I shoot a lot of stuff that uses Large Pistol primers. Guess I should get 5000 Tula small pistol too... ;-)

Wolf/Tula LP primers are standard primers and do not ignite larger charges of slower powders such as H110/Win. 296 as effectively as Winchester LP primers or other magnum primers. Also don't be fooled by Wolf/Tula Magnum LP primers, they are the same just a harder cup. I've had issues even with Ramshot Enforcer being less accurate with Wolf/Tula LP primers vs Winchester LP primers. All this in 45 Colt and 454 Casull.

Regards to the original poster's question: I use the heck out of Wolf/Tula primers when I shoot quicker powders i.e. Herco, Unique, Promo/Red Dot, Win 231, Universal etc. I even use them with 2400 just fine. All my 45 auto rounds are set off with Wolf/Tula Primers.

[RobsTV]

The owner of the LGS swears by "Federal" primers?, the only reason I've ever strayed from CCI's was due to light primmer strikes in a Taurus, was looking for a softer cup?, replaced the *** Taurus with an Uberti 1873 Colt, couldn't be happier!

When the CCI primers repeatedly fail to go bang or hangfire in a S&W 500, you quickly learn to no longer trust them. A quick Google search shows this is not unusual with some CCI primers.

Winchester or Federal has cured all the CCI primer woes here. The Federal Magnum Match primers seem to combine several good features, and work well in everything.

[RKJ]

Wolf/Tula LP primers are standard primers and do not ignite larger charges of slower powders such as H110/Win. 296 as effectively as Winchester LP primers or other magnum primers. Also don't be fooled by Wolf/Tula Magnum LP primers, they are the same just a harder cup. I've had issues even with Ramshot Enforcer being less accurate with Wolf/Tula LP primers vs Winchester LP primers. All this in 45 Colt and 454 Casull.

Regards to the original poster's question: I use the heck out of Wolf/Tula primers when I shoot quicker powders i.e. Herco, Unique, Promo/Red Dot, Win 231, Universal etc. I even use them with 2400 just fine. All my 45 auto rounds are set off with Wolf/Tula Primers.

RobS, Thanks for that info. I've been eyeballing Tula at Grafs & Midway and have been wondering about them.

Thanks also to the OP for asking this question.

[youngda9]

I use the cheapest winchester or federal I can find. Winchesters are harder...make sure I use federals in one of my revolvers that does not set off Winchesters reliably. When I find a good price I buy by the thousands.

[wv109323]

As a Bullseye Pistol shooter, The Winchester LP is the "go to" primer in .45 ACP. The Winchester is considered to be a little hotter thus giving you better ignition of the powder. Bullseye loads are mostly Win. 231, Bullseye , WST, Solo 1000 or VV310.
I have used a lot of Federal primers in the past. If available and within the ballpark price I use the Winchester brand. If push came to shove I don't think you could tell the difference between Remington ,Federal or Winchester. CCI used to have some poor tolerances as to their diameter and did not work well in progressive presses.

[Wolfer]

Like Char-gar I've never been able to tell much difference. The only difference I've noticed in my 45 colt is rem will get me about 40 fps faster velocity over cci. Accuracy is the same.
I tend to shoot whatever the local shop has on hand.

[TCLouis]

Winchester fan here, have used a bunch of Mag Techs this last year.

Thinking f getting brave, trusting russki QC and buying some TULAS from Powder Valley.

[subsonic]

As a Bullseye Pistol shooter, The Winchester LP is the "go to" primer in .45 ACP. The Winchester is considered to be a little hotter thus giving you better ignition of the powder. Bullseye loads are mostly Win. 231, Bullseye , WST, Solo 1000 or VV310.
I have used a lot of Federal primers in the past. If available and within the ballpark price I use the Winchester brand. If push came to shove I don't think you could tell the difference between Remington ,Federal or Winchester. CCI used to have some poor tolerances as to their diameter and did not work well in progressive presses.

Knowing how guys that are in competition act from my racing days, I have to wonder if this isn't just dog-turd engineering theory. You know, the guy that won had a dog turd on his hood, so next week everybody has a dog turd on their hood.... :kidding::groner::killingpc

[.5mv^2]

I am using up some Wolf LP primers and like them fine. I tried some small pistol Wolf primers and did not get reliable ignition.
I used up about Wolf 04000 large and 5000 small primers.




Most Large Pistol primers are around $3.50 per100 locally. Buy 100 of each and try them. See what you think.

I just bought 5000 Wolf Large Pistol primers from Grafs for $107. Have not shot any Wolf LP before, but figured it was worth the gamble, as I shoot a lot of stuff that uses Large Pistol primers. Guess I should get 5000 Tula small pistol too... ;-)

[30calflash]

As a Bullseye Pistol shooter, The Winchester LP is the "go to" primer in .45 ACP. The Winchester is considered to be a little hotter thus giving you better ignition of the powder. Bullseye loads are mostly Win. 231, Bullseye , WST, Solo 1000 or VV310.
I have used a lot of Federal primers in the past. If available and within the ballpark price I use the Winchester brand. If push came to shove I don't think you could tell the difference between Remington ,Federal or Winchester. CCI used to have some poor tolerances as to their diameter and did not work well in progressive presses.

I went to Win LP as the CCI's were harder to seat in Rem military 45 brass. Used CCI's for 44 mag silhouette loads.

When I tried the Win LP's in the 44 there was a large elevation change. Can't remember which way, it was a long time ago.

They both always worked, no complaints besides the hard seating.

[Calamity Jake]

I've always used Winchester primers and brass for reloading. But, large pistol primers are designated for "Standard and Magnum Pistol Loads" and I wonder if switching to another brand might make sense. I load for .44 Special and .45 ACP and use faster powders, Unique or Bullseye, sometimes 700X, so a standard primer might give me more consistant ignition and accuracy.

What other primers do you use/suggest for these calibers?

I started loading my own in 82 my first box of primers were winchester, it said on the box for standard or magnum pistol loads which I understood to mean they could be used in light (38sp, 44sp ect)loads with light powder charges or magnum(357, 44mag ect) with both light or heavy charges depending on the powder type being used at the time.

I've used winchester ever sence along with all the others and as been said(with the execption of Fed) I can see no difference eather.

[Tom W.]

I have some CCI, Federal and Winchester primers, and just prefer the Federals. I will buy what is available however

[9.3X62AL]

Winchester and CCI are my most-used primer makes, largely because these are the most readily available brands at my local shops or at the gun shows I infest. "Special Needs" primers--Rem 6-1/2 for small rifle cases, Fed 215 for BIG RIFLE cases like 45-70--do get the call also, but nowhere near the numbers used of W-W or CCI spark plugs.

[Matthew 25]

I wouldn't change if you're not having issues.

I use Federal for hunting loads. My impression is that they're softer. At least in small primers I'm sure they are, as my Python will only fire 100% with Federals. I make the assumption that's true in large primers so use Federal when I can't afford a click.

[number7tn]

ever since ive been loading my 45acp i had used wlp primers and have no complants except some of the mil brass they only seat flush , but have done good , no misfires , no slam fires etc, but about a week and a half ago i ordered some powder from grafs and needed more lp primers and i got the s&b primers to try , so far ive shot id say 50 to 75 with no problems at all, with power pistol, and wsf powders.
cant tell what the others will be like but they seem good. accuracy is the same plus they seat a little deeper than the wlp's.

in the primers ive used in rifle i like federal the best (not tried em in pistol yet) , i use the cheapest fed in 30-30 and 30-06 and the gold medal mag match in 300wm. just wished they was packed like winchester or cci , i dont like how feds are packed , thats my only complant.

and one more i use in scatter gun is noble sport (nsi), and ive not had any problems with them either.

hope this post helps , GOD BLESS
Darrell

[ColColt]

CCI hands down(for me) I've used them in a dozen different guns or more from Large Rifle, Small Rifle to four calibers in handguns both SP and LP and never has one failed to fire. We're talking since 1969. That's a pretty good track record.

[**oneshot**]

I went from winchester LP to Federal LP and never looked back. My only gripe is the large for content packaging.

[subsonic]

I went from winchester LP to Federal LP and never looked back. My only gripe is the large for content packaging.

I hate that and those stupid locking flaps on the bottom that just make me spill MORE primers!!! GAH! But I really like the primers themselves!

[km101]

Remington LR for my rifle accuracy loads, because that is what I worked the loads up with, years ago.
Mostly CCI and Tula (I know, I know) for my handgun loads. I dont shoot anything near max, except in .44 and .357, so I use Tula for the mild stuff and CCI for the magnum loads. And the Tula primers have worked great in the almost 5K loads that I have fired. :)