Primer choices

[randyman]

It's been years since I've reloaded but use to do a lot. Unfortunately, the brain didn't retain a lot of my experience so please bear with me on what may seem to be simple questions. I see a lot good remarks about the Remington 7-1/2 primers but I'm having trouble getting my hands on some without ordering them. The shelves are full of other brands and sizes but the slot for this one is usually empty which tells me it's in high demand. I have a couple thousand CCI #400 primers and am wondering if they will work in my .204? Planning to use my Varget powder with Nosler 32 Varmageddon and 32 grain Ballistic Tip Varmint bullets. Shooting Hornady cases. Any advice is appreciated-Thanks, Randy.

[Bill K]

I like and use the Rem 7 1/2 in all my 20's, along with CCI #41 and have no issues. Your 400's should work, with the possible exception of near max loads, Try a few and see how they do, then use them, if they do not pierce. Bill K

[Duker]

As Bill said, the 400's will work in the low to mid range but working up to where the 204 shines you will experience cratering and the likely-hood of piercing and bolt face damage. If you can't find the 7 1/2's, The CCI 450 like the 41's have a thicker cup and will withstand the pressure. Save your 400's for the lower pressure rounds.

[futuretrades]

I got together with a shooting buddy of mine, when primers were hard to get, and we found some on one of the reloading sites for a decent price. We bought 10,000 primers together, and paid the haz mat for the shipping. Don't remember where or or what we paid, but it was well worth it to both of us. But between the both of us, we go thru a whole lot of reloads, when "Skippy" is out an about!

Just a suggestion, get together with someone and pay the haz mat and order some. Once you have them you won't have to worry about finding them.

[randyman]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll take it and search a bit harder for the better primers suggested here.

[varmit_master]

I can find the Rem 7 1/2 BR primers in town. That's all I use in my 204. I think I have 4 or 5000 on hand.

[truckerwalt]

I have always had the best luck with the rem. 7.5 primers and the worst accuracy with cci-400 and cci-450. fed primers were nest best to the rem.

[TwentyBore]

If you can't find Rem 7-1/2s, I've had just as good of luck with Federal 205M, if those are available to you.

[skipper]

I will have to admit a partiality to the CCI BR4 primers. They have gotten quite expensive though.

[brooksb]

Check your PM, i know a place with 7 1/2's and powder too.

[HoundofSC]

I use the CCI 450's with 23.7 RL10X and a 39 gr SBK. Consistent sub .5 performance @100 and 200 and sub MOA accuracy at 300 off a bipod and bag

[Bill K]

The main reason, I see and feel for the use of the Rem 7.5's, is due to the thicker cup material and therefore they will not pierce the primes, unless you really go over board on pressure, compared to the more standard one's. (there are a few others with thicker primer cups, also however i.e. CCI #41, Fed 205m for a couple.
As too your primers working, they will and you may not have any issue with them, unless you also push their pressure limits. Load some and check your loads/accuracy out. Bill K

[HoundofSC]

The reason I use the CCI 450's simply because I bought 10K several years ago for my AR .223's and they seem to work fine in the .204. I have also loaded a few batches using CCI 400 and noticed no difference in performance one way or the other.