Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles magnum primers, who uses them?

CarolinaHunter,

Both, if I recall correctly.

I used a lot of WLR's until the cup-cracking problem started a few years ago. Am waiting to make sure it's solved before starting again.

I use CCI exclusively. Standard for standard cartridges. Magnum for magnum cartridges.

I’m using Tula LRM primers in about everything

I've always used magnum primers in my magnum rifles (7 mm Rem, .300 Wby, .375 RUM), my .30 Gibbs and .257 Ackley; and in my .44 and .357 magnum pistols. I mostly used CCI primers, but since the component shortages of the Obama years, I've had to use some Winchester primers.

Cold weather, spherical powder, and amount of power. As others have already stated, magnum primers burn a little longer giving more burn time for larger loads.

I use large rifle primers in non-magnum cartridges for the most part. My 7mm-08 loads with 120 BTs and Big Game shoot so well that I have never been tempted to try the magnum primers. However, when I tried IMR 4451 and 168 Hunting VLDs in my .30-06, I was very disappointed with the accuracy. After going back and rereading JB's post on that combination, I tried CCI 250s. Three-shot groups shrank down to about 0.5 MOA. I will probably do some more experimenting with magnum primers and non-magnum loads later this winter.

I only use them when the recipes call for them. I've never done any experimentation between magnum and non-magnum primers in cartridges that normally don't use them.

That's pretty much what I go by as well. Just try them and see what happens. In medium cartridges like a 7x57, 7-08, 280 etc I usually try F210 first if burning stick powder, then WLR's to see if it improves anything. Maybe even the F215 if using a slow burning stick powder. With ball powder, I generally start with WLR's, and then F215 for a slight step up. With large and/or long cases I try the F215 and then WLRM if all else fails. And no matter what, I always back off on the powder and work up again, when going to the hotter primer. I really like the WLR with medium case ball powder, and fortunately have not experienced any cup failures.

Jeff