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I've used CCI 400's in thousands of 223 loads for both AR15's and bolt rifles. NO ISSUES at all

I’ve read where you’re not supposed to run not only 400’s, but 205’s in an AR as well.
I’ve run a lot of both without incident, but then I run my AR more like a bolt action and I keep my gas pretty well tuned.
It always seemed like a silly proposition for manufactures to even make a thin cupped primer for lower pressure rounds. No one goes around squalling you shouldn’t use Fed 210’s in a .25-06, those are for .45-70’s and .30/40 Krags!

I’d never heard that about 205s in an AR. In fact I’m working on a brick of 205ARs right now in a maroon and black box that say Federal 205M AR15 primers on it. Who knows what manufacturers come up with sometimes. I’m going to use the 400s until or unless they give me any issues but I’m doubtful there’ll be a problem now.

I’ve been running CCI 400’s in AR’s about 30 years with no problems. Ran them in a Mini-14 for 20 years before that, no problems. Run them in my.223 bolt gun, no problems. Most loads close one side or the other to “book max.”

I've used WSR's in ~a dozen AR's, about the same number of Min-14's, and a whole host of bolt rifles from Sako, Rem, Win, Kimber, NULA, Mini MK X, CZ 527, Ruger 77's, Wby/Howa 1500's, and probably some I'm forgetting without ever any issue. The vast majority w/55gn soft-points and ball powders. 748, BL-C2, H335, Ramshot Tac, WCC 844 and 846.

FWIW, I emailed this question to CCI last year:

"Are your #400 small rifle primers safe to use in AR type rifles? I know they are safe pressure-wise, but is there danger of accidental discharge when the bolt closes? I know you recommend #450 and #41's and I use them when available, but these have been impossible to obtain for quite some time. Thank you."


I received this in reply:

"There is indeed a higher risk of slamfire with the CCI 400. Although it is very unlikely the risk is still greater there than it is with your other options as you stated."

Interpret that as you wish.