Milspec primers, who uses 'em?

[Moken]

 I was wondering about the collectives thoughts on auto loading rifles using the heavier primers? So far I've just used standard primers on many thousand rounds through my Mini 14 and AR15.

[larryflew]

I use 41s on my ARs just to make sure there are no auto fire problems. Always have so I can't tell you there is actually a need.

[M1A4ME]

When I first started reloading for my M1A I was still using Federal LR Bench Rest primers.  Never had an issue.

I used lots of regular CCI LR primers over the years, too.

I did buy some of the MilSpec CCI LR primers when I first started reloading for my M1 Garands.  Didn't see much difference in them and standard CCI LR primers when it comes to group size.

I've never used anything for the AR15's but standard/commercial SR primers from Federal, CCI an Tula.  No issues with slam fires.  Did have about 3 duds with the Tula primers about a year or so back.

I do believe in keeping my rifles clean.  I routinely disassemble the bolts/carriers on the AR15's and clean/lube the parts before I put it back together.  I only rarely disassemble clean/lube the M1A/M1 Garand bolts.  I do routinely drop some oil into the firing pin channel from the rear and the front when cleaning the rifle.  Then I work the firing pin back and forth in the bolt and wipe off the excess.

I also don't single load (drop a shell into the chamber then let the bolt slam forward on it.  I load from the magazine.

[Wobbly]

I used Wolf mil spec primers to load maybe 1K of 223 for my AR with zero bad incidents, but that's all I used so I have no basis for comparison.

[jameslovesjammie]

I don't believe it matters on the Mini, but in an AR I would definitely run a milspec, or at least a magnum primer.  AR's have free floating firing pins, and even the act of putting a round into battery will cause the firing pin to come into contact with a primer.

Try this: insert a full magazine into your AR, then rack a round into the chamber with the charging handle.  Now drop the magazine and extract the round from the chamber and inspect the primer.  You will notice that it has a small indentation where the firing pin hit the case when going into battery.

It will look like this:

[M1A4ME]

I've never shot my (40 year old) Mini 14 enough to warrant a bolt disassembly and cleaning/lubing but if it's like the M14 or M1 Garand then it also has a floating firing pin.

[Moken]

I've never shot my (40 year old) Mini 14 enough to warrant a bolt disassembly and cleaning/lubing but if it's like the M14 or M1 Garand then it also has a floating firing pin.

I took my Mini 14 bolt down after 2k+ rounds and the firing pin was clean as new. Shot some Remoil in er and went shooting. I love that gun.

[vaglocker]

Nothing but milspec primers for my 5.56 ammo

[Son of the Gael]

When I started out with my M1A, I used just whichever standard primers I had on hand for my .308's.  Then one day I squeezed the trigger and two rounds fired.  This was most disconcerting.  I switched to CCI 34's and never had another issue with it.  Since getting into the AR game I use 41's; wouldn't be afraid of Rem 7 1/2's, CCI 450's or other magnum primers since they have the thick cups.  I have a bunch of S&B which are supposed to be fine too, time will tell.

For the record, I my 527 is fed different rounds than my AR's, mostly Federal just now.

[Augie.Cooper]

I don't run "milspec" primers in my 223 reloads, I don't push my reloads hot enough as well as I don't repeatedly rechamber a round, at most a round is going to get chambered 3 times including the time it is shot. The myth that you need to used a special primer for the AR is busted by the fact that their are hundreds of companies loading 223/556 for the AR-15 and few if any of them are going to have access to CCI primers.

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[jameslovesjammie]

I don't run "milspec" primers in my 223 reloads, I don't push my reloads hot enough

Being pushed "hot" has nothing to do with it.  The issue isn't about the pressure of the cartridge, it is about the free floating firing pin colliding with primer cup.

as well as I don't repeatedly rechamber a round, at most a round is going to get chambered 3 times including the time it is shot.

Think of this.  If you've chambered a round in an AR 3 times...your firing pin has hit the primer three times before you have shot the round.  Every time the round is chambered, it has hit the primer.  EVERY TIME.  Why wouldn't you want a harder primer there?

The myth that you need to used a special primer for the AR is busted by the fact that their are hundreds of companies loading 223/556 for the AR-15 and few if any of them are going to have access to CCI primers.

Most companies loading .223 are not loading them with the intent of being shot in an AR.  They are loading them for use in bolt guns.

I'll guarantee that any company producing a load that has 5.56 on the box has a harder primer in it.  Not necessarily a CCI 41, but a magnum primer of some variety.  Why?  Because it is assumed that it will be used in a firearm with a free floating firing pin.



Keep shooting your standard primers if it makes you happy, but there is no "Myth" that you need a harder primer in an AR.  It's a fact.

[Moken]

So you would "guarantee" all .223 is loaded with harder primers because AR 15s and Mini 14s have free floating firing pins. If that's true why would all the reloading supply and reloading manuals demand harder primers?

[painter]

So you would "guarantee" all .223 is loaded with harder primers because AR 15s and Mini 14s have free floating firing pins. If that's true why would all the reloading supply and reloading manuals demand harder primers?

That isn't what he said.

He said if it has 5.56 on the box

<snip>
Most companies loading .223 are not loading them with the intent of being shot in an AR.  They are loading them for use in bolt guns.

I'll guarantee that any company producing a load that has 5.56 on the box has a harder primer in it.  Not necessarily a CCI 41, but a magnum primer of some variety.  Why?  Because it is assumed that it will be used in a firearm with a free floating firing pin.



Keep shooting your standard primers if it makes you happy, but there is no "Myth" that you need a harder primer in an AR.  It's a fact.

[Moken]

So why do many AR makers say you can run .223 or 5.56?

[painter]

Because the chamber will accommodate either spec, just like my CZ bolt action rifle will.