New to reloading which primers to use

[trollsonpatrol]

Find generic reloading manuals. Some older ones are excellent. Handloader digest is one example, Used book store or gun shows usually have them available. Brand specific books I'll try to sell you stuff from their catalogues.

Join a gun club, talk to re loaders and maybe find someone willing to mentor you.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[crkckr]

Using older manuals is ok, something I do as well, but be careful as sometimes powders will change slightly and the older books will not have that info. For instance, older manuals show different charges for H110 and W296 (pistol powders) but today, the manufacturers say they are one in the same, even though some manuals still show seperate loads. This is probably due to variations in different batches of powder. Plus older manuals may not show loads for newer powders. If you stick with traditional powders you should be ok. Traditional powders for .308 would be 748, IMR4350 and many others that work as well and perhaps better. The .308 is a very versatile cartridge!

Every firearm is unique as to what it likes best and there is no way to tell until you try them in your firearm. So threads such as "What's the best (bullet, powder, primer, whatever) for .308" can never be more than guides. What works best in my .308 may not do well in yours, even if they are the same brand!
Cheers,
crkckr

 

[lancetkenyon]

First of all, I use magnum primers in all of my rifle loads. I have found the Federal GM210M, Large Rifle Magnum primers to be reliable and in my case readily available. With magnum primers, especially when starting to work up a load from scratch I have found that there is no difference, It also simplifies which primer to use without going broke buying a primer for this and a primer for that. I have also used Winchester and CCI primers with great success.

I have been reloading since 1972 and while having used Lyman and Redding equipment have pretty much gone to RCBS for all of my loading equipment, RCBS makes high-quality equipment at a reasonable price and backs it up with, so far over the years, a 100% warranty. If something breaks or doesn't work quite right, call them and it will be replaced on the spot.

As for manuals, I use a variety of manuals based on the type of bullet being loaded. For a how to do it manual, The ABCs of Reloading is a good guide, As well as the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. Since most of my reloading is done with either Sierra or Nosler bullets, I use the Nosler 9 and Sierra 6th edition manuals. I have found it best to use the reloading manual for whatever bullet you are planning to shoot.

Good Luck and Have Fun.

Fed GM210M are NOT magnum primers. They are "Match" primers.

 

[lancetkenyon]

First of all, I use magnum primers in all of my rifle loads. I have found the Federal GM210M, Large Rifle Magnum primers to be reliable and in my case readily available. With magnum primers, especially when starting to work up a load from scratch I have found that there is no difference, It also simplifies which primer to use without going broke buying a primer for this and a primer for that. I have also used Winchester and CCI primers with great success.

I have been reloading since 1972 and while having used Lyman and Redding equipment have pretty much gone to RCBS for all of my loading equipment, RCBS makes high-quality equipment at a reasonable price and backs it up with, so far over the years, a 100% warranty. If something breaks or doesn't work quite right, call them and it will be replaced on the spot.

As for manuals, I use a variety of manuals based on the type of bullet being loaded. For a how to do it manual, The ABCs of Reloading is a good guide, As well as the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading. Since most of my reloading is done with either Sierra or Nosler bullets, I use the Nosler 9 and Sierra 6th edition manuals. I have found it best to use the reloading manual for whatever bullet you are planning to shoot.

Good Luck and Have Fun.

Fed 210M are NOT magnum primers. They are "Match"

The Fed GM215M are the Match Large Rifle Magnum primers.

 

[orangelightening]

So many replies i'd like to thank everyone. Such amazing responses really helped me out a lot, i look forward to being part of this community. Got exactly the information i needed and i appreciate it greatly. Glad i also read to match the reloading presses and dies etc i'm normally that weird person that prefers to do so but seeing so many say it will definitely get me to do so

 

[Muddyboots]

One of the most important aspects of reloading is to understand and know how to read pressure signs. Simple concept, if you see pressure signs, back off load immediately. Learning to see and read pressure can take time. There are some good videos to help. Do not assume a book max load is safe in your rifle.

Every rifle is different even same make, model and same cartridge. They can react substantially different. Never assume.

 

[orangelightening]

One of the most important aspects of reloading is to understand and know how to read pressure signs. Simple concept, if you see pressure signs, back off load immediately. Learning to see and read pressure can take time. There are some good videos to help. Do not assume a book max load is safe in your rifle.

Every rifle is different even same make, model and same cartridge. They can react substantially different. Never assume.

Good advice, i will definitely use it when i finally start reloading. Thanks

 

[spladi]

Hello all, i have a few questions. I am new to firearms. I am from Canada and just got my license last year. Due to the pandemic i am aware there's a shortage on reloading supplies but we've been hit bad especially here and still hard to come by, so as supplies pops up and comes available i'd like to purchase it while i can despite not knowing anything about reloading yet. I own a Tikka T3X CTR in .308 I am currently looking at purchasing some primers as they've finally come in stock online but i honestly don't have a clue which i should buy. I am looking at Federal 210 large rifle primers. However i also see 215. I was considering picking up the 210 but don't want to waste the money if they're not even the ones i need

Also second question. What is the best reloading manual that could help a noob such as myself learn. Last question which reloading brand would you recommend? i am not fully aware of all the reloading brands but i've been into cabelas looking around and they have lyman, and nosler which are the two brands i see most of, i'm sure there's tons of others. Thanks in advance and apologies for the rookie questions

I've used them all, almost, but for some European etc. Have found Winchester and Remington primers suitable and a little hotter than others in my opinion.

 

[spladi]

Hello all, i have a few questions. I am new to firearms. I am from Canada and just got my license last year. Due to the pandemic i am aware there's a shortage on reloading supplies but we've been hit bad especially here and still hard to come by, so as supplies pops up and comes available i'd like to purchase it while i can despite not knowing anything about reloading yet. I own a Tikka T3X CTR in .308 I am currently looking at purchasing some primers as they've finally come in stock online but i honestly don't have a clue which i should buy. I am looking at Federal 210 large rifle primers. However i also see 215. I was considering picking up the 210 but don't want to waste the money if they're not even the ones i need

Also second question. What is the best reloading manual that could help a noob such as myself learn. Last question which reloading brand would you recommend? i am not fully aware of all the reloading brands but i've been into cabelas looking around and they have lyman, and nosler which are the two brands i see most of, i'm sure there's tons of others. Thanks in advance and apologies for the rookie questions

I have used almost all primers in my 308's except most imported ones but Wolf and have found that Remington and Winchester are very suitable and let's say warmer in my opinion than other fine USA primers.

 

[orangelightening]

In all seriousness, buy as many of those Federal 210s as you can afford. DO IT NOW. They are the best primers you can buy for your 308, and if recent trends continue they may become unavailable for many months or years.

Thanks. I went ahead and bought 4 boxes so 400 primers. Will get more if they're still in stock. Only got 4 boxes because they were listed on cabelas website, none in stock in store online only and it didn't say how many were available. I know most places here in Canada limit how many you can buy usually since there's a shortage they want everybody to get a little bit rather than one person buying them all up

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

Thanks. I went ahead and bought 4 boxes so 400 primers.

Do you mean 4000? A box usually has 1000 per box. A trey has 100. A box has 10 treys.

 

[Critter Picker]

Welcome to the forum from East Central Wisconsin! I've been areloader since the late sixties. Federal 210 are great primers. For equipment I personally prefer RCBS or Redding. Just my preference. For loading manuals I have a whole shelf of them and have read all that I have. I don't think that you can have too many manuals or too many guns. When loading work in an area where you will have no distractions. You will be working with components that are capable of extreme pressure. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask us. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. We will help any way we can.

Good luck! Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

 

[MagnumManiac]

I would add, in regard to loading manuals, I use several sources that include the bullet manufacturer, but I always then check the loads suggested with the powder manufacturer. I have been caught out not doing this and it turned into bad juju…

Do NOT mix headstamps…EVER!

Cheers.

 

[orangelightening]

Do you mean 4000? A box usually has 1000 per box. A trey has 100. A box has 10 treys.

Oh my mistake than. I bought 4 trays. Wish it was a box of 1000. Unfortunately only 400 total