Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Primer Test

I have a load shooting fairly well in my .25-06 and I wanted to see if a primer change would make any significant difference. I have Fed 210M, Fed 215M and CCI BR2s at home, so I loaded 5 rounds with each and shot for group.

Here are some results. The 210M had velocity of 3173fps with SD of 24 fps for 5 shots. The 215M had velocity 3218 fps with SD of 14 fps for 5 shots. The BR2 had a velocity of 3212 fps with SD of 27 fps.

My first question is, are Fed 210M really that weak compared to 215M/BR2s? 50fps? I know 5 shots arent enough for statistical significance, but there is still a trend for the 215M/BR2 being somewhat hotter. Do your experiences mirror that as well?

Looks like I will be using Fed 215M with this powder (Retumbo).


I understand that I could probably tune my Fed210/BR2 loads to shoot as well, just curious if others have seen primers make this much of a difference with a particular powder/load?

Interesting. I just loaded up a bunch of loads with Fed 215's in my 7 and 30 SAUM's. I had been shooting Rem 9.5 M. I dropped back a 1/2 to 1 grain and will try them with the 215's.

Thanks for posting.

kyreloader,

I always start with the Fed 215 Mag. It has proven very dependable. Once a load is worked up I try other primers with no other change. Occationally the groups tighten up with that change.

Could be wrong, but I thought Mag primers were suggested as a requirement for Retumbo powders to light it off since it's such a slow powder. I know it is in this house.

Just checked the container and every primer listed on it is a mag primer except for the 7 mag so I guess my assumption is correct.

Doesnt the container only have magnum cartridges listed on it?

Your three average velocities are only 45 fps apart. That's insignificant. The 210 certainly doesn't deserve being called "that weak" because of it.

Your results would go down as "indeterminate" in my book.

Rocky, I would agree with you. The power of my data is not very strong, but was surprised a little anyway.

I do think I will stick with the 215Ms in this load. I will also try different primers more often than I usually do now, based on these groups.

Rocky, just a question, when would a velocity difference be "significant" for you? Not flaming, just curious. Thanks.

The 215s would be the best primers for this powder as it is a very slow burning magnum propellent, the other primers you have are also very good primers, they just work a little better for faster powders. I've had great luck with Fed. 215/215M and also CCI 250 for magnum cartridges.

7 MM Rem Mag says Win LR rest is either 215M or 9 1/2M. About the same as the H1000 Which is another good powder for the larger capacity rounds. We just us mag primers on any slow burning or ball powders as a rule of thumb.

Regarding what is "significant" about velocity variation, it is probably personal and subjective but I use 5% of the velocity as my threshold.

I use 5% because that's also the outside limit of a couple other tolerances in reloading, powder lot variation being just one. It's also the number I use in my 95% Solution method of component testing. (See THIS )

Over at least a 10-shot string, that would amount to about 160 fps in a 3200 fps load. Call it 150 if you like, so if the average velocity dropped or rose 150-160 fps with a primer change (and no other change, of course) then I'd consider it significant.

Thanks Rocky.

I have seen a similar improvement in accuracy and SD moving from standard LR primers to Fed215's in the 270 Winchester with RL22.

I've done pretty well with RL22 and the Fed 210's. I'll have to give the 215's a shot and see how they compare.

Ditto.
With my 25-06, RL-22 and Fed 210's give excellent accuracy. That's with 115 and 120 gn bullets.

Kentucky..

I'd bet that you could take the very next rifle in 25/06 that came off the assembly line after yours and stand a 50/50 chance of getting different results.... or even different results on the next pound of Retumbo you pick up.. or the next batch of primers you pick up..

some rifles are as finicky as a 2 year old when it comes to what they like to digest and others will digest anything you feed them..