It's just weird . . . but it happens.

[longwinters]

I been workin up loads for the Sako 308. Accubonds, Ballistic Tips, Partitions and a few others " that shall not be named ". Loaded em all with Reloader 15, Win brass and CCI primers. The only ones that shot well were those "that shall not be named".

Today I tried out the same Nosler bullets etc.... but with Federal 210 primers. Everything, yes I said everything, shot 3/4" and the best was .300. How a change in primer brand could make such a difference is a little amazing to me. So many say that they see no difference in using different primers . . . For this rifle, as well as my Sako 280, I gotta disagree. Maybe its a Sako thing.
Long

 

[Blaine]

It's not "a Sako thing". All my rifles act the same way. Here is a sample of a few of the primer tests I've done. Exact same loads, bullets, everything identical except primer.

165 gr .308 Varget powder

CCI-BR - 1.00"
Fed GM - 1.60"
Rem - .95"
WLR - .75"
Fed GM mag - .50"

165 gr .308 IMR4350 powder

CCI-BR - .60"
Fed GM - 1.25"
Rem - 1.10"
WLR - .55"
Fed GM mag - 1.50"

150 gr .308 IMR4350 powder

CCI-BR - .75"
Fed GM - .70"
Rem - 1.85"
WLR - 1.05"
Fed GM mag - 1.80"

Again, each test was with identical loads....down to equal primer seating depth, case trim length, weight batched bullets and cases, powder charge individually weighed, OAL identical, etc.,etc.

Primers DO make a huge difference, and there is no set pattern. A primer that does extremely well in one load combination might do miserably in the next. Also keep in mind that primer seating depth (when not consistent within a test batch) has an effect as well. I'm not sure why this is, but I know it is. For those just getting started in handloading, keep this in mind...."Details matter" . Sometimes each little detail has a minimal effect, but when added with other little details, they can add up to huge effect on groups. I've seen the time when a group that showed an SD of under 10 would print a group of 2.00" and I'd scratch my head and say "How can this be?". Then, after switching primers, or changing bullet seating depth by as little as .010" the group would go down to .50". That's why this is so much fun. We get to shoot and shoot trying to get that perfect load. :grin: Then after we get it in July, we take it into the fall and the group opens up to 1.50" because of the change in temperature. :x :twisted:

Blaine

 

[JD338]

Long,

I switched to Federal Gold Metal match primers about 10 yrs ago and haven't looked back.

Depending on caliber, I use either

GM210M

GM215M

Regards,

JD338

 

[Seedsntrees]

JD338,

I agree, I have been using Federal Gold Match Primers and never bought anything else. Tried them all and ended up where I started from. :shock:

Regards,