Federal primer virgin!

Butzbach · March 10, 2022, 02:59 PM

Folks,
I have some .38 Special primed brass headed my way. It is primed with federal primers. I have only ever used CCI primers. Any advice?

Anyone have a source of loading data for federal primers?

Let me know.

reddog81 · March 10, 2022, 04:07 PM

There's no difference in loading data.

Assuming it's loaded with small pistol primers it will be indistinguishable from CCI primers other than Federal is regarded as being a little more sensitive and easier to ignite. Because of this Federal is preferred for revolvers with lightened mainsprings.

Butzbach · March 10, 2022, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddog81

There's no difference in loading data.

Assuming it's loaded with small pistol primers it will be indistinguishable from CCI primers other than Federal is regarded as being a little more sensitive and easier to ignite. Because of this Federal is preferred for revolvers with lightened mainsprings.

Thanks for the intel!

Shotgun Slim · March 10, 2022, 06:57 PM

The smart reloader never changes a component without reducing the load and working up while watching pressure signs. If your load with CCI primers is near max would you not want to know that Federal primers may give you too much pressure? "There's no difference in load data" is a bold statement that you would do well to ignore.

Shadow9mm · March 10, 2022, 07:59 PM

I have found minimal differences changing primers, generally in the 10-20fps range. However I do, and would recommend working up from start again just to make sure nothing is off.

kilotanker22 · March 10, 2022, 08:20 PM

I have recently switched from CCI to Federal primers for all pistol cartridges. For no other reason than the only pistol primers that can be had local to me are Federal these days. I have found tighter velocity spreads in 9mm, 10mm, and 40 S&W when using the Federal primers. Maybe I am just lucky, but I very much like the Federal primers I have been using.

reddog81 · March 10, 2022, 08:49 PM

Which cartridge when loaded with small pistol primers has any history of causing pressure changes when switching from one brand of small pistol primers to another?

mehavey · March 10, 2022, 10:06 PM

I use Federal on everything, save gas guns.
At 38 Special pressures, don't worry about it.

Shadow9mm · March 10, 2022, 10:16 PM

redDog81

every primer brand is a little different, from the exact compound mixture, to the amount of compound. It is much? I don't thing so. In this video a company tested 9mm with CCI small pistol, small pistol magnum, and small rifle and found only small differences in pressure. But its generally wise to work the load back up just to double check.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVRGsoOr6k

reddog81 · March 10, 2022, 11:04 PM

With small pistol primers the load data is the same and when using them in .38 Special the results will be indistinguishable. The linked video compares SP, SPM and SR primers and comes to the same conclusion…. As mentioned in the video, the hardness of the primer cup is the biggest difference.

FWIW CCI and Federal primers are made by the same company. He can work up various loads but with .38 Special there is no way the results will have any meaningful change from one small pistol primer to another.

rclark · March 10, 2022, 11:40 PM

I personally would not worry about it. Load them as you usually do your .38s assuming of course your .38 loads are by the book so to speak!

reynolds357 · March 12, 2022, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butzbach

Folks,
I have some .38 Special primed brass headed my way. It is primed with federal primers. I have only ever used CCI primers. Any advice?

Anyone have a source of loading data for federal primers?

Let me know.

I would venture that more commercial data was developed with Federal Primers than CCI. Small pistol, in my opinion, does not matter what brand you shoot. Datai s close enough to the same. If you are running right on the ragged edge, might be enough difference to matter, but practically, it does not.

Jim Watson · March 12, 2022, 01:21 PM

Quote:

FWIW CCI and Federal primers are made by the same company.

Well, yes, Vista has acquired a lot of the old line companies, now including Remington ammunition.
But that does not mean the primers are the same product. The chemistry is different.

**Unclenick** · March 12, 2022, 03:01 PM

Jim is right. These companies have a common owner, but they remain physically independent and make the products they developed independently of one another. Just because GM owns Cadillac and GMC doesn't mean the vehicles are identical. Same thing here. In this case, Federal is in Anoka, Minnesota, while CCI is in Lewiston, Idaho, almost 1400 miles apart by road; a 21-hour drive.

hikingman · March 13, 2022, 01:37 PM

With medium powder charges for plinking, I recommend testing 2 different loads, your first time out with the Federal primers. I'm not posting about hot, or anything similar to +P loads, here.

1. Same charge as you had with CCI primers.
2. Reduced by .2 to .3 grains. (That's reduced by tenths and not whole grains.)

My guess is accuracy will be mighty close between the two.

Jim Watson · March 14, 2022, 12:09 AM

With MY 9mm load, there was NO difference in velocity from 6 out of 7 primers on hand.
Remington 1 1/2 was a LITTLE faster than even magnum and rifle.

March 10, 2022, 02:59 PM	#1
Butzbach Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 145	Federal primer virgin! Folks, I have some .38 Special primed brass headed my way. It is primed with federal primers. I have only ever used CCI primers. Any advice? Anyone have a source of loading data for federal primers? Let me know.

March 10, 2022, 07:59 PM	#5
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,028	I have found minimal differences changing primers, generally in the 10-20fps range. However I do, and would recommend working up from start again just to make sure nothing is off. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 10, 2022, 08:20 PM	#6
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I have recently switched from CCI to Federal primers for all pistol cartridges. For no other reason than the only pistol primers that can be had local to me are Federal these days. I have found tighter velocity spreads in 9mm, 10mm, and 40 S&W when using the Federal primers. Maybe I am just lucky, but I very much like the Federal primers I have been using. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

March 10, 2022, 10:16 PM	#9
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,028	redDog81 every primer brand is a little different, from the exact compound mixture, to the amount of compound. It is much? I don't thing so. In this video a company tested 9mm with CCI small pistol, small pistol magnum, and small rifle and found only small differences in pressure. But its generally wise to work the load back up just to double check. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVRGsoOr6k __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 10, 2022, 11:40 PM	#11
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,626	I personally would not worry about it. Load them as you usually do your .38s assuming of course your .38 loads are by the book so to speak! __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 10, 2022, 04:07 PM	#2
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,637	There's no difference in loading data. Assuming it's loaded with small pistol primers it will be indistinguishable from CCI primers other than Federal is regarded as being a little more sensitive and easier to ignite. Because of this Federal is preferred for revolvers with lightened mainsprings.

March 10, 2022, 06:57 PM	#4
Shotgun Slim Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2014 Location: Va Posts: 293	The smart reloader never changes a component without reducing the load and working up while watching pressure signs. If your load with CCI primers is near max would you not want to know that Federal primers may give you too much pressure? "There's no difference in load data" is a bold statement that you would do well to ignore.

March 10, 2022, 08:49 PM	#7
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,637	Which cartridge when loaded with small pistol primers has any history of causing pressure changes when switching from one brand of small pistol primers to another?

March 10, 2022, 10:06 PM	#8
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,940	I use Federal on everything, save gas guns. At 38 Special pressures, don't worry about it.

March 10, 2022, 11:04 PM	#10
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,637	With small pistol primers the load data is the same and when using them in .38 Special the results will be indistinguishable. The linked video compares SP, SPM and SR primers and comes to the same conclusion…. As mentioned in the video, the hardness of the primer cup is the biggest difference. FWIW CCI and Federal primers are made by the same company. He can work up various loads but with .38 Special there is no way the results will have any meaningful change from one small pistol primer to another.

March 12, 2022, 03:01 PM	#14
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,110	Jim is right. These companies have a common owner, but they remain physically independent and make the products they developed independently of one another. Just because GM owns Cadillac and GMC doesn't mean the vehicles are identical. Same thing here. In this case, Federal is in Anoka, Minnesota, while CCI is in Lewiston, Idaho, almost 1400 miles apart by road; a 21-hour drive. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 13, 2022, 01:37 PM	#15
hikingman Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 301	With medium powder charges for plinking, I recommend testing 2 different loads, your first time out with the Federal primers. I'm not posting about hot, or anything similar to +P loads, here. 1. Same charge as you had with CCI primers. 2. Reduced by .2 to .3 grains. (That's reduced by tenths and not whole grains.) My guess is accuracy will be mighty close between the two. __________________ NRA Life Member

March 14, 2022, 12:09 AM	#16
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,602	With MY 9mm load, there was NO difference in velocity from 6 out of 7 primers on hand. Remington 1 1/2 was a LITTLE faster than even magnum and rifle.