Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles CCI 41 primers

I was wondering the same thing…

I had no problems in a Rem 40-X in 222 Magnum with CFE223. Velocities for five shot groups with 28.5 grs of CFE223, 50 gr Sierra Blitzking, Nosler cases were:
CCI 41
3405, es 59
3445, es 76
3405, es 66
3390, es 59
3390, es 91

CCI SR Mag
3435, es 83
3370, es 53
3370, es 56
3420, es 26
3385, es 36

Winchester SR
3425, es 28
3405, es 42
3385, es 51
3380, es 29
3385, es 27
3350, es 38
The CCI41’s had three groups over an inch, 1.2”, 1.75” and 1.05”. All the other groups were less than 0.85 and 11 less than 0.6”

The brick I have will be used in my Mini 14, which gives a pretty good whack, and might just maybe be capable of a slam-fire, though I’ve never heard of it happening. The thicker cup is supposed to help prevent that, I’ve read. Power-wise, they’re supposed to be on par with 450s.

I use only CCI 41’s in my AR. For years I used CCI BR4’s in all 223 rifles. Both the 41’s and the BR4’s have the thicker primer cup - thicker than the cup on CCI 400’s. All went well until I decided to use up all my CCI 400’s in the AR. I was at the bench at my ranch the other day checking sights, and had 10 rounds in the mag. I fired off a couple of rounds with no problem, then when I pulled the trigger I went full auto for 5 rounds. Turns out that CCI 400’s are not recommended for use in an AR. My primer seater, when I loaded primers in new Lapua brass, which has tight primer pockets, mashed the cup down a bit on those softer CCI 400’s - closer to the anvil - and caused a runaway. The floating firing pin had just enough force to fire off the primer. So I transitioned to the thicker and harder CCI 41 military primers.

If I hadn’t mashed the CCI 400’s a bit, I’d probably have had no runaway. Soft primers, forceful seater, floating firing pin. In combination, it caused the problem.

I’m no gunsmith but that doesn’t sound like a primer induced problem…..

You better check you pos gun. It's not a primer issue. I and many others have fired 1,000's upon 1,000's of the CCI400's in AR rifles. On to the subject of CCI41's, those are excellent primers. As others have said, thicker cups, like the BR4's. I get about the same accuracy using 41's as compared to the match primers as well. Again, CCI400 SRP's work just fine. They are softer though, but have never given me or any of my friends any issues to be concerned about. Also for guys having issues with CCI41's in their bolt guns, if you are using a pos you may have issues.

I don’t think it’s the fault of the primer. I think it’s because I managed to flatten some of those primers with my priming tool, forcing the primer cup much closer to the primer anvil, making them more susceptible to firing with a light strike from the floating firing pin. Never had the problem till I primed those tight pocket Lapua cases. Cases with looser pockets never gave me a problem.

Anyway, back on topic, the CCI 41’s gave me the same accuracy as the other primers. I’ll use them in the AR and the BR4’s will be used for the bolt gun. I’m out of CCI 400’s, so whatever the problem, it won’t happen again.

Nah, it's your POS rifle as verified by the experience of BullShitArtist1917 and "any of his friends" who have carefully inspected your weapon.
But kudos on the 10 round group! We know that's the BSA approved minimum.

!!!