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nononsence, got some questions for you about primers.
bpost
Member Posts: 32,664 ✭✭✭✭
I have been loading for the better part of 50 years and have never had primer issues with off the shelf primers. MILSURP ammo, sure from the early 1950's Commie block stuff that had misfires and hang fires, folded necks, brittle cracks and the like. 15 years ago Tula primers in SRM were the most amazingly consistent I have ever seen across a chrono.
I can only think of a few rare instances where an off the shelf primer failed to fire or gave erratic ignition. Maybe 4-5 total out of a 100,000 or so shot.
In your experience are primers that important in getting accuracy and consistent ignition assuming perfect powder charges and perfect bullets?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Comments
Here is a link to an interest article about the effects of different primer manufacturers on shotgun shells.
I would expect given the size of the barrel and the shot patterns that this would drive a larger observed variance in rifle consistency due the the measurements of the single projectile vs. a pattern of many projectiles.
http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/primersubs.htm
As much as I would like to emphasize one component over all the others, cartridges are still a system. Each one has to be selected for the accuracy level you’re looking for. It is the interior ballistics which are effected by the powder/primer combination and the exterior ballistics reaction (bullet) to the interior effects. Without all 3 working in concert together, your concept of accuracy will suffer. Put a low quality bullet on top of a great powder/primer combination and you get mediocre performance. The converse is true with a great bullet over a lesser powder/primer combination.
It is a truth though that primer selection can have a significant effect on accuracy at the target. A nominal hunting load performing at a 1” group can sometimes be improved by selecting a different primer. This though is still dependent on the ability of the rifle system and the barrel. If you’re working with a tested benchrest rifle and you’re seeing 1/2” groups, a primer change is mandatory. So it sort of depends on the type of firearm, it’s use and the necessity for significant testing. Narrowing down the use and the standardized accuracy of a particular firearm will help you gage how much potential there is for change.
Factory rifles have seen significant improvements on=ver the last 20 years but do not expect benchrest groups simply by switching primers.
Best.
Best.