CCI vs Winchester Primers

[greener]

An acquaintance recently expressed a preference for Winchester primers over CCI primers because the CCI were oversized and flared out the primer wells of the casings. Winchester primers were better for multiple reloads. Extended use of the CCI primers would result in the primer backing out when the round was fired. I've been using CCI's mostly and haven't seen this. I also don't tend to load heavy charges. I've used Winchester primers and thought the CCI's had better handling characteristics. Any opinions on one over the other?

[DeerSpy]

my dad used CCI all the time in every thing and I use them too but then
I had to start buying my own and Winchester was cheaper,
but in fifty years of reloding 38 and 45 I dont rember him every having
a primer come out, and I neverhad one come out after swichting to
winchester in the same cases

[DancesWithSquirrels]

I load a fair amount of both 9 MM and 45 ACP. I have used Winchester, CCI and Federal primers depending on what was available in my local gun shop. I haven't seen any difference in them whatsoever. I also do not load any max loads so I don't make any adjustments when I change primers. I have never had any problems with primer pockets. I have never had any problems with misfires.

I have heard a lot of stories about this primer being hotter than the other. Or this primer being harder to ignite than another. But I haven't seen any conclusive proof of any of this with the loads I am shooting. They all load fine and perform fine.

DWS

[Bullseye]

CCI has a stiffer cup and takes a little firmer firing pin strike to ignite them. About twenty years ago, when progressive presses started making it big, CCI was the brand to use because they were less likely detonate from the primer seating die pin. However there was a trade off, they were a little inconsistent with detonation. CCI has improved their primers and are far better than they were back then. I still like CCI in my progressively loaded pistol cartridges but I use Federals for my large rifle primers. I use CCI for my small rifle primers as frequently the firing pin strikes and leaves a dent in the primer when closing the bolt on an AR. I haven't had a slam fire but I use them just for an ounce of prevention.

R,
Bullseye

[toyfj40]

I use/have CCI primers.
yes, I've used a few Winchester-primers, when the size I needed
was Out-of-Stock... but just what I needed and return to "CCI".

Primer stories, for me, have been apocraphyl... nothing FirstHand.

I mostly load: 9mm, .223 with a few .30-30, .308, .38, .30-06 ...

no problems with CCI that I've noticed, and I use a LOT of RangeBrass.
also, I tend to load mine for practice... and stay near the minimal-charge.

also, I've got a few 'trays' of the CCI-Magnum and CCI-BR primers,
but my 1k-boxes are just Small-Pistol, Small-Rifle...

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you... --toy

if interested, see the "Cascade Cartridge" article linked from
http://www.GunTalk-online.com/forum/vie ... php?t=1021

[greener]

Lee very strongly recommended CCI or Winchester for their presses because of the primer feed systems. I've been mostly CCI with pretty good results feeding and seating the primers. I've had very few failures with the primers. I've used a 1000 small pistol and 1000 large pistol Winchester primers. I guess there were a few small things that made me like the CCI's better. I also tend to recycle the same brass. I've had one cracked .38 special casing and 3 failures to fire with dented primer. I haven't noticed any fired casings with bulged primers.

The acquaintance is an excellent and quite knowledgeable shooter. I wouldn't take any advice or suggestions that he offers lightly, but it doesn't hurt to get a wider range of experience.

[Bullseye]

CCI is also good to use if your recycling used military brass. The crimped primer pockets can cause a primer to jam and possibly detonate. I've had a few go in sideways but luckily didn't go bang. I once knew a guy that had that happen and lost a chunk out of his ear, when the primer went off it set off the whole tube of primers in his Dillon press. The resulting explosion sent shards of metal flying and nipped his ear. How he didn't get more seriously injured is a real mystery. Fortunately he was wearing eye protection while reloading or it could have been far worse. I use a Dillon Super Swage 600 for removing the primer crimps by pressing them out of the military brass.

R,
Bullseye

[greener]

I probably owe the fact that I have two functioning eyes to the fact that they haven't functioned well enough to keep me from wearing glasses for about 50 years. I don't have to think about putting something between my eyes and little flying things. I also have some real safety glasses.

The CCI primers have been pretty forgiving of miss feeds and sideways insertions. With the Pro 1000 you know when the primer is seating properly from the feel. I usually stop the process and remove the casing when one doesn't feel right.

[toyfj40]

I get a lot of LakeCities .223 brass
that has been "primer ring-crimped"...
after removing the primer, I use this
"Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer Tool (small)"
http://www.MidWayUSA.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=501588

and it cleans/shapes the pocket "just fine",
no rough edges left to obstruct the insertion of a new primer.

also,
I started with the Lee Auto Prime...
then decided to improve with the RCBS,
http://www.MidWayUSA.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=329291

the Grip is nice on it... BUT the TRAY will not stay in place !!

so, I tried the Foster Co-Ax primer
http://www.MidWayUSA.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=141739

and it is just too much trouble to feed primers into the tubes
and it does not align well with the horizontal-feed...
(the primers keep tipping on their side for insertion)

so, I'm back to the Lee... (the grass was NOT "greener" )
Happy Thanksgiving... -- toy

[bearandoldman]

so, I'm back to the Lee... (the grass was NOT "greener" )
Happy Thanksgiving... -- toy

Once you get over the fence and look back it is greener than the side you are on now, so you go back and you have learned your lesson. You do not know if something is better unless you try it and then you can compare.
Have a happy turkey day all of you turkeys????
I used to use the one that came with my sibgle stage Lee Press, but really did not care dfor it so I bought the Lee hand tool and never looked back, just reloab.38Specila an .45ACP and it works just fine.

[greener]

I've been satisfied with my Lee Pro 1000. Good enough for doing 100-200/hr of .45, .357/.38 and 9mm.

Hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving! Getting ready to do the over the hills and through the snow to grandma's house. By staying home and having the kids visit, I get to keep my driving down to 800 miles this time.

[winshooter]

Can't say as I've ever had a problem with CCI primers and I've been using them for quite some time in various applications. I usually follow the "recipe" more closely for reloading shotshell than for rifle/pistol. For my match rifle though, nothing but Federal Match primers.

Mike

[sniper]

I have used both, and never had a problem with either. Of course, I just use my Lee priming tool or my RCBS...no progressive loaders.

[greener]

Since I started this thread we have come into the great primer shortage and I've been using whatever I can get, which has been mostly Winchester. The Winchesters have seemed to be a little more sensitive to the cleanliness of the feed tube on the Pro 1000 than CCI. Except for having to clean the feed tube a bit more often, I've had no problems with the Winchester function.

I have had 4 failures to fire with dented primers with CCI primers, two calibers and two handguns, so I tend to believe it is the primers. I don't recall a failure with Winchester. I don't consider the CCI failures to be a real problem.

[Georgezilla]

All that's around here for large pistol is Winchester or Federal -- mostly Winchester. The place that has the Federal has a 100 primer limit and it's out of the way. So far I've only reloaded 500 rounds, 300 Federal and 200 Winchester. Neither brand gave me a FTF. I got into reloading in the middle of this shortage and I have actually never even seen a box of CCI standard large/small pistol primers. I guess the CCIs are pretty popular as they were the first to go.

The Winchester large pistol primer box states they are for standard/mag, does this mean they are loaded hotter than Federal #150? I could not tell just from the recoil.