Federal 215 Magnum Rifle Primers

[DaveB]

Not Gold Medal or Match, but first time I have seen these in several years

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 000-Count-


Plus Enduron, bunch of other IMR powders and BEHOLD IMR4350.

Grafs has stuff also, a lil bit more expensive.

 

[TRIGGER]

Tell me about these. I was actually looking for some. (Out of stock now) for my 338 Lapua. I read a few articles that say they are the best to use in the 338. I take it there hard to find? Any other magnum primers that you suggest?

 

[DaveB]

That question can ignite a Chevy-Ford debate.

The Federal 215 primer was developed, so the story goes, for the Weatherby 300 Magnum. The M desigation indicates Match GM Gold Medal, mostly advertising stuff. Theoretically, the M/GM is a better, higher quality primer, they charge more for it, and it seems to me they are very consistent in how they ignite the powder charge.

I have been using them since I first started handloading. I have never ever had a failure. There is some belief (studies even) that Federal primers are soft compared to other brands.

Winchester and CCI magnum primers have followers with the same loyalty.

Thing to remember: If you develop a load for any rifle using Winchester primers and you switch to say CCI or Federal, you should back off your powder charge a grain or two and see if the different primer has a different effect on accuracy or velocity.