Which primer to use?

[SCO]

I have a load that I want to develop for my 7mm rem mag. It is Berger 168 vld's, 72.5 to 73 grains of Retumbo (max load) and calls for federal 210 primers. My problem is I can not find theese primers here and have been told by a couple of gun shops that they are not available here anymore. They recomended CCI 250. Is a fed 210 not for large rifle and a cci 250 for magnum rifle. will this create to much pressure as I am already going to be at max load. Could somebody clarify if there is a difference between theese 2 and what would be the best alternate for the fed 210's.

[elkhunter11]

Is a fed 210 not for large rifle and a cci 250 for magnum rifle. will this create to much pressure as I am already going to be at max load.

I certainly hope that you aren't going to start with the recommended max load.

[shooter]

I've always run FED 215 Mag primers in my 7 rem mags. Regardless of what primer you are using, you should work your load from Min to YOUR guns safe max. Even if you switch brands to try some variety, work from MINIMUM each time.

[SCO]

I am going to start at a lower load and work my way up to that. This is a load that some guys are using down south and in the same gun as mine. Would the 215 be a replacement for the 210 and where do you find the fed primers at? I was in edmonton and couldn't find any fed. Does anybody else here shoot berger 168 vld's & retumbo in 7 mag here? If so what load do you shoot?

[Faststeel]

SCO

By down south, do you mean southern alberta? or in the USA? If you don't have the exact componants I would start with a 10% reduction in powder if I were you, then work up. You could sub a Win large rifle primer instead of a Fed 210, or if you are coming to Edmonton any time soon I could sell you 100 Fed 210 primers. FS

[super7mag]

Retumbo is a very slow burning powder, in a case with large capacity and relativley small bore. I would be using magnum primers, Check out hodgons web site for more reliable loads to start with,I'll bet they recomend mags as well.

[Deer Hunter]

All 7mm Rem mag loads that I have loaded call for a magnum primer. I use CCI 250's. I have even used them in a much smaller 6mm Rem load but not at the max listed powder charge.

[Jerry D]

A federal 210 primer is a normal primer. Great for a any of the .308 based rounds or .30-06 based rounds. It is not a magnum primer as the magnum primer is the Federal 215. If you see a 210M or a 215M it does not designate magnum, it means it's a match primer.

I'm using Federal 210 primers in my .30-06 and am getting reliable ignition.

Any large rifle primer can be used, its just when you change primers you need to work up your load again to know where max is - A CCI 250 will work, just start low and work up. Big case rounds get more reliable ignition with a magnum primer so it would be advisable to use one of them instead of a normal large rifle primer

[elkhunter11]

This is a load that some guys are using down south and in the same gun as mine.

It may be the same make and model,but it isn't the same gun.Barrel and chamber dimensions do vary between supposedly identical rifles,as do different lots of components.

[SCO]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It may be the same make and model,but it isn't the same gun.Barrel and chamber dimensions do vary between supposedly identical rifles,as do different lots of components.

I am aware of this and am going to start with lower loads and work up. Will try a couple of loads with both primers. I asked them about the choice of primers but have not had a reply yet. Does anybody else shoot retumbo & 7mm 168 vld's here?

Thanks for all the info.

[elkhunter11]

I use 215s in all of my magnums,especially with the slow burning powders.

[SCO]

Where do you find the fed 215's at?

[elkhunter11]

215's can be very difficult to find at times,so when my supply drops to a couple of thousand or so ,I start looking for them,and buy a few thousand more when I find them.By doing this,I never run out,and I only buy primers every few years.Of course if you only buy a hundred or so at a time,you will likely run out sooner or later when the supplies drop off.

[loetv]

CCI 200 .270 wsm test work .

[super7mag]

The only info I have come across is for 162 gr match/boatails that should be very similar to a vld, the starting load is 69 gr retumbo. and max is 73.5 gr and is compressed**. Both were using cci 250 mag primers.

[-JR-]

I have some Fed 215 (200) I could sell or trade for Rem 9 1/2 primers