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.303 primers Large rifle or Magnum

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42rocker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: .303 primers Large rifle or Magnum
    Posted: February 03 2019 at 7:47am
I thought that I knew something then I find that I need to start over again.
Thought that Rifle Primer sizes were just 2 sizes - Small and Large - now I find the word Magnum showing up.  
So the question is all reloading in .303 done using Magnum Primer?  Or?  

That said - What is the difference between a Magnum Primer and a Large Rifle Primer? 
 
Note the Norma Powder data chart shows to use Magnum Primers for their listed .303 loads. 
 
Thought I only needed Large Rifle Primers. Do I need Magnum Primers for the larger rounds? 
 
A Learning I shall go a learning I shall go. 
 
Thanks for the sharing of info on this Great Site. 
 
Later 42rocker
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2019 at 8:12am
The "Brisance" (the heat & duration of the flame produced). Rumored to be lightly thicker cups too. Size wise they're identical to LR primers. If you have a load & switch from standard to magnum drop the charge weight by 10% & work back up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2019 at 6:54pm
You do not need LR Magnum primers in the .303.  Most reloading manuals will list standard Large Rifle primers.  The Norma manual lists LR magnum primers, perhaps their powders require a hotter primer for reliable ignition, I don’t know?

I’ve used WLR, CCI #200, and Federal, all will work perfectly fine with the powders I use.

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42rocker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2019 at 7:38pm
britrifles
Thanks for that info. I've only been looking at loading data for Norma and as you stated that only call for magnum primers. I have not looked at any other loading data today as I've been working on getting a good base setup for my reloading presses. That is now done, Happy with it and looking forward to checking up on more loading data for the .303 Brit.. 
Shamu
Thanks for teaching me something on those primers. 
 
Later 42rocker
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 4:17am
I use the standard Large Rifle primer's. Winchester and Federal Match.
No problems with either.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pukka Bundook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 6:26am
Brit,
 
The old reloading charts for Norma powder used to say L-R primers, (not magnum)   unless using I think NMP was it? a magnum slow burning powder they produce/d.
 
I always used Norma # 202 in the .303, with standard primers. Never have bought magnum primers.
 
Rocker,
Magnum primers are usually to ensure good ignition in high volume cases.  (Magnum calibres) which the .303 isn't.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 6:41am
Thanks for the updates.
 
Later 42rocker
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 6:57am
There was a theory, back in the day that a hotter, longer "spark" from the primer made for more uniform ignition, producing better accuracy.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 8:47am
Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

You do not need LR Magnum primers in the .303.  Most reloading manuals will list standard Large Rifle primers.  The Norma manual lists LR magnum primers, perhaps their powders require a hotter primer for reliable ignition, I don’t know?

I’ve used WLR, CCI #200, and Federal, all will work perfectly fine with the powders I use.

You are quite correct in your statement that the .303 does not need a magnum primer when reloading. Norma powders due in fact offer the most reliable ignition around however. "The Norma 202 powder was developed specifically for the .308 Winchester Round but,offers itself to all medium cased cartridges as well."The use of the magnum primers with all Norma powders,is to provide a more uniform,cleaner,and complete burn,offering the shooter a more accurate round while maintaining an even pressure across the board upon firing of said round. ...And yes, all the other regular large rifle primers will work perfectly fine with all other powders as well. Some of us choose to use magnum primers to go over and above perfectly fine however...Everyone of us here will in fact use their own chosen load that they themselves worked up,along with the type of primer they will use,that's a given. There is no right or wrong answer here. It's all in the perspective of the individual and their worked up loads. After you said ,"perhaps their powder requires a hotter primer for reliable ignition. " You said,"I dont know?" When I read about someone else's load data and how well it performed  in their rifle, I will typically make a small batch of identical loads and compare them to my chosen loads,to see if I need to make a correction anywhere. Powder change,primer change,bullet or case change,etc,etc. I have been reloading .303 rounds for almost 34 years. My best .303 hunting load was a 150 grn Sierra SPT with 38.5 grns of IMR 4064 primed with a Remington  9 1/2. My best target load for my .303 is a 174 Hornady BTHP with 40.0 grns of Norma 202,primed with a WLRM. I have tried other loads,including your loads that you have previously listed. Based off of all the other load data I have tested from other sources,including yours,now,I know. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 8:55am
Sometimes light powder charges such as those with IMR 4198 or the old SR 4759  do better with Magnum Rifle primers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 3:25pm
Thanks everyone for their info and being willing to share it. 
 
Later 42rocker
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2019 at 7:50pm
I do have one exception in using Standard LR primers.  I use the CCI #34 primer for reloading .30-06 for the M1 service rifle.  The #34 is a milspec primer for 7.62 NATO ammunition, equivalent to a magnum large rifle and also has a thicker/harder primer cup.  This provides some additional assurance against a slam fire in autoloading rifles having floating firing pins.  

Primers provide a surprisingly significant contribution to pressures and a magnum primer adds more than a standard primer.  If you are loading at or near maximum, be cautious about switching from a standard to a magnum primer.  You’ll know what I mean if you have ever snapped off a primed empty case in a rifle, sounds like a .22 rifle and the flame travels all the way out the muzzle.  

I agree with Gossic’s comments, work up the load for your rifle. All rifles are to some degree individuals.  A load that performs well in one rifle may not work so well in another.  In my experience, bullet quality is the most significant factor in accuracy.  I’m not looking to produce maximum velocities, in fact, I would rather have a load with reduced recoil that is easy on the rifle and less disruptive to my shooting position during rapid fire stages; providing accuracy is not significantly degraded.  The truth is, most shooters can’t hold a group to the accuracy potential of the rifle and load, the shooter is the limiting factor.  Try shooting 10 rounds off hand (standing position) and you will know what I mean.



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