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Rifle Primers

All Primers are NOT created equal!

Primers vary in diameter and burn rate. Rifle primers are a Boxer or Berdan design. The Boxer includes a cup, ignition compound, an anvil. The Berdan includes a cup, ignition compound. Both usually have a protective lacquer or paper cover on the opening. Primers are struck by the firing pin to detonate the ignition compound that ignites the propellent that discharges the projectile. It is DANGEROUS to mix reloading data for one specific load with another.
  Small Large primer comparison Primer exploded view      
           
 
 
  Primer Size Type Diameter  
  Rifle Small Boxer .175"  
  Rifle Small Berdan .177"  
  Rifle Large Boxer .210"  
  Rifle Large Berdan .217"  
  Rifle Large Berdan .250"  
  Rifle Large Berdan .254"  
  Rifle BMG Boxer .315"  
 
Primer Interchangeability
Supplier Small Rifle Small Rifle Magnum Large Rifle Large Rifle Magnum Type
Federal 200 205 205M 210 210M 215 Boxer
CCI 400BR-4 450 200BR-4 250 Boxer
Remington 6 1/2 7 1/2 9 1/2 9 1/2M Boxer
Winchester 6 1/2-116 - 8 1/2-120 81/2M-120 Boxer
RWS 4033 - 5341 5333 Boxer
 
 
 
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