Federal Primers

[Jerry-B-WI]

I'm in the market for some Large Rifle primers. It's probably been 20 years since I've bought primers, used to buy in bulk 5K at a time. I've always used Federal 210 primers, they came in a red box years ago. Now I see Federal Champion primers that come in a blue box. Is the quality and performance of the Champion primers the same as the old Federal in the red box?

I do my priming by hand with a Lee priming tool and the Federal primers always seated without excessive force. Tried CCI years ago and didn't like how much force it took to seat the primers.

 

[bigboreblr]

You swag your primer pockets? Might be time for a new reamer maybe.

I know finding primers is hard. I've got CCI and magtech primers too. magtech seem to be ok. Not pushing them hard though. low recoil oads for 450 marlin. run of the mill pressure / velocity out of 150gr 30-30 and 150gr 308.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

You swag your primer pockets? Might be time for a new reamer maybe.

I know finding primers is hard. I've got CCI and magtech primers too. magtech seem to be ok. Not pushing them hard though. low recoil oads for 450 marlin. run of the mill pressure / velocity out of 150gr 30-30 and 150gr 308.

All I do is clean the pockets.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

Federals are accepted as the softest primers. CCI, the hardest (at least of the commonly available commercial primers). So you were probably doing the same thing to them, one just made you notice more.

If there's a difference between the new blue and old red depends on who you ask. (yes there is a difference chemical wise) Better or worse, certain factions of the inter webs seem to think so.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Federals are accepted as the softest primers. CCI, the hardest (at least of the commonly available commercial primers). So you were probably doing the same thing to them, one just made you notice more.

If there's a difference between the new blue and old red depends on who you ask. (yes there is a difference chemical wise) Better or worse, certain factions of the inter webs seem to think so.

What type of differences are there chemical wise and are they improvements or just for cheaper manufacturing?

 

[Feelslikefar.]

It had to do with getting rid the lead in the older chemical compounds.

IIRC most of the lead exposure people get while shooting comes from the primers, not the bullets.

 

[bigboreblr]

Agree with that totally. Had a savage 24V that couldn't reliably strike a primer for the 30-30 barrel. Weak strikes. Only reliable way for the gun to shoot was federal primers or federal ammo. 20ga barrel was reliable. Found out it was illegal to hunt in NY with it anyways. Wanted to stalk hunt public land and shoot a grouse or two while doing it. No multiple projectile ammo while deer hunting.

 

[b116757]

Large Rifle - Primers - Powders & Primers - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

 

[b116757]

Large Rifle Primers | Powder Valley Outdoors

Large Rifle Primers for Superior Reloading Performance When it comes to reloading your rifle ammunition, having the right primer is critical for ensuring consistent and reliable performance. Powder Valley Outdoors offers a wide selection of large rifle primers, giving you the precision and...

www.powdervalley.com

 

[b116757]

Nobody seams to have federal’s in stock

 

[b116757]

Some Scheels stores show Federal large rifle 210 in stock if you have one close by

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I started loading in 2014 but since then federal has just had blue box (Champion) or red box (Gold medal match) versions of primers. For LRPs they are designated as 210 (standard LRP - blue box) or 210m (match version). Far as I know the only difference is they have "Better/more experienced" employees in charge of the match versions but composition is the same. There are some federal LRP available online but shipping costs can be rough:

https://ammoseek.com/reloading/primers/Federal?ikw=210

CCI 200 and BR2 have worked well just like the 210m i have a bunch of. I haven't noticed a large difference in seating pressure with my cheap lyman hand priming tool between 210s and CCIs. Glad i bought thousands when they were $40/1000 though!

 

[b116757]

I use CCI mostly but will use about anything I can get my hands on

 

[MadMadHoosier]

I’ve been looking for Federal LMR “Match” primers for about 10 years. On 6/5/25, Natchez notified me they were in stock and I bought 4000. Out of stock again, so who know how long before the next batch???

 

[bigboreblr]

Hard enough getting primers you like, not to mention powder.

I know some of you shoot real far. I have trouble finding a place to practice past 200 yards. Rarely need to shoot far here in NY. A good shooting flintlock is good enough for me. So, my 30-30 grouping good with a scope is even that much better.

grafs has been fair to me over the years.