Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Opinions on primers: WSR versus Rem 7 1/2

What are the pros and cons of the Winchester Small Rifle versus the Remington 7 1/2 primer?

Is one hotter?
Is one harder?
Is one bigger?

I can get both for about the same price right now.

I like the Winchester, essentially because it is softer, which helps priming some military brass with a tight primer pocket...

the Win is supposed to be a hair hotter also.

but it doesn't bother me one bit if Rem is all I can get..

heck, if you can get primers period right now, and especially if you need some, I'd stock up on what I could afford... or what they will let me buy...

primers around here are scarcer than chicken teeth...

I found a good deal on the WSR years ago (way pre-hoarding hysteria days), and picked up about 20,000 (maybe more... ) or so. I'm still whittling away at the stash, and happy that I don't have to search and scrounge in today's market.

They have served me well for everything I use them for (222, 223, 222 Rem Mag).

I use the Rem7 1/2 for my AR's, some claim slam fires with WSR's and 205's.
In my bolt guns I use nothing but WSR's and 205's

WSR is a little hotter - works good with ball powders in cold weather,etc..
Rem 7 1/2 is a little harder - Some people would prefer in an AR-15, etc.
Both are small rifle primer pocket primers.
Both are good.
Get some of both - See what you like........

Count me in the WSR camp. I don't mind CCI 400's either...

Any trouble with Winchesters in the AR/Mini platforms?

Also, I've been told that Rem 7 1/2 should be used in the 17 Remington?

I'm a bolt guy--so I can't respond to the performance in AR's. I don't have anything against them, just never owned one.....

a little off post but my experinace is a bit diferent talking small pistol here went with win small pistol primner in a .22 hornet and same in .38spl snubby well always thought the velocity with the hornet was a bit low but one day loaded some rem small pitol (11/2) in the hornet only chnage and chrono some wow +95 FPS increase so made the same change with the 38 and wow again 90 fps increase so guess what small pistol primers I am useing now

I've found the unplated WSRs pierce easily in ARs.

I take it "unplated" means the ones that look brass-colored rather than the silver?

I've got some of both colors actually.

So, should I save the silver WSR for semi-auto use?

The 7-1/2 is a magnum primer. The shell is stronger (harder, thicker, whichever) and will hold more pressure. So judge for yourself if it's a hotter primer. The WSR primer will fail sooner than the 7-1/2. I'll use it in low pressure rounds like the Hornet.

I an AR I always use CCI mag primers with H335. I think the win. are harder than Rem. But CCI are harder than both.

They're not.

Yeah, I'd save the silver ones for your semi-autos. I never had problems with WSRs until they deleted the plating.

Remington primers are tough little things. I think they are harder than or at least as hard as CCI450s.

Wrong they are not

On this you are correct

Guess you did not read my first post (btw color does not matter)

Most dont like WSR's for semi-auto use because they are thinner and softer,
WSR's cup thickness .021" Rem7 1/2 .025" CCI 450 and BR4 .025" better for semi-auto

Think whatever you like.

Ackman,
What makes you think the 7-1/2 is a magnum primer ????

Years ago Federal made 200 small rifle primers then they switched to making the 205's we have today.
Remington used to make 6-1/2 primers now they make 7-1/2 primers.
The higher number in either does not mean they are Magnum, but just a newer model with a bigger price tag.