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Is there any advantage in using a magnum primer in a 270 win? If using them how much do I need to lower the charge weight?
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Right now I am using IMR 4350 but am thinking of switching to H4350 or 4831. Shoot in temp range of -30 C - +30 C. Most shooting done in +20 C weather.
This was not a .270, but my experience may help you decide.
The cartridge used is a .264 Winchester Magnum. I began by using Magnum primers because I thought I needed to.
I decided to experiment with H50BMG powder to get the case more full and maintain safe pressure. I had a trip to the range planned and found I had no Magnum primers left. What the heck, I'll try the standard primers just to see if it goes off. I didn't note the temperature, but it was on Jan. 4th of this year and it was cold (in the mid 20's if I remember correctly). I just wanted to get some velocity measurements to see what the powder would do. I had loaded from 65.0 grains (83.8% capacity to base of neck) to 77.0 grains (100% capacity to base of neck, some compression by bullet boattail) in one grain increments. I fully expected the more dense loads not to go off.
Guess what, they all went off just fine. And there were no slouches in the velocity department. with a 140 grain naked SMK, 65 grains returned 2950 fps while 77 grains returned 3269 fps. Faster than I had expected. I'm going to try moly coated bullets as I want about 95% density to return 2950-3100 fps.
Long story short, I think you're probably just fine with standard primers. That's all I ever used in my .270 years ago and I never had a misfire in any weather. Will you get better groups with mag. primers??? The only way to know for sure is to try them.
The cartridge used is a .264 Winchester Magnum. I began by using Magnum primers because I thought I needed to.
I decided to experiment with H50BMG powder to get the case more full and maintain safe pressure. I had a trip to the range planned and found I had no Magnum primers left. What the heck, I'll try the standard primers just to see if it goes off. I didn't note the temperature, but it was on Jan. 4th of this year and it was cold (in the mid 20's if I remember correctly). I just wanted to get some velocity measurements to see what the powder would do. I had loaded from 65.0 grains (83.8% capacity to base of neck) to 77.0 grains (100% capacity to base of neck, some compression by bullet boattail) in one grain increments. I fully expected the more dense loads not to go off.
Guess what, they all went off just fine. And there were no slouches in the velocity department. with a 140 grain naked SMK, 65 grains returned 2950 fps while 77 grains returned 3269 fps. Faster than I had expected. I'm going to try moly coated bullets as I want about 95% density to return 2950-3100 fps.
Long story short, I think you're probably just fine with standard primers. That's all I ever used in my .270 years ago and I never had a misfire in any weather. Will you get better groups with mag. primers??? The only way to know for sure is to try them.
Hi again Harv.
I have to go strongly with the safety advice given above.
Also I would add that the Speer reloading manual reccomends that I use a mag primers with H335, BLC-2 and H380 but I use regular primers for .243, .223 and .308 win (all loaded with H335, my favorite) and I experience NO ignition problems. Even in 20 degree temps.
I have it from a source that satisfies my needs that federal primers are the hottest standard primers so that is what I use. Period.
Lastly I have heard (take it for what it is worth)that Mr Elmer Keith, the father of the .44 mag, did not believe that magnum primers were necessary at all for any (pistol?) round.
I have to go strongly with the safety advice given above.
Also I would add that the Speer reloading manual reccomends that I use a mag primers with H335, BLC-2 and H380 but I use regular primers for .243, .223 and .308 win (all loaded with H335, my favorite) and I experience NO ignition problems. Even in 20 degree temps.
I have it from a source that satisfies my needs that federal primers are the hottest standard primers so that is what I use. Period.
Lastly I have heard (take it for what it is worth)that Mr Elmer Keith, the father of the .44 mag, did not believe that magnum primers were necessary at all for any (pistol?) round.
G
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Guest
Thanks for all the posts guys. I have used, for many years, federal primers (not magnum) and was just wondering if the magnum primers would help accuracy. I have reloaded for the 270 for over 10 years and over 10000 rounds and had only 1 not fire. Primer didn't go off even after removing the primer and hitting it with a hammer. Will stick with the non mag primers. Thanks
DMCI
Well-Known Member
Primers are an integral part of the cartridge system, just like powder, cases, and bullets.
In short, any variation in any of these can to a greater or lesser extent affect the pressures generated during firing.
Rule of thumb, is to refer to a competent reloading manual and only use magnum primers when the manual recommends it.
In general, .270 Winchester will not require the hotter ignition of a magnum primer, and use thereof could lead to problems.
BE SAFE!
D.
PS: If you would like to experiment with primers, changing primer manufacturer's within the category, such as F210M for WLR, CCI 200, BR2 or Remington 9 1/2 primers can affect accuracy in a specific weapon and are worth experimenting with. I generally only change one component at a time so that I can see the effects of that change.
Magnum primers can be used for very low temperature application, but this should be done with care.
[ 02-17-2004: Message edited by: DMCI ]
In short, any variation in any of these can to a greater or lesser extent affect the pressures generated during firing.
Rule of thumb, is to refer to a competent reloading manual and only use magnum primers when the manual recommends it.
In general, .270 Winchester will not require the hotter ignition of a magnum primer, and use thereof could lead to problems.
BE SAFE!
D.
PS: If you would like to experiment with primers, changing primer manufacturer's within the category, such as F210M for WLR, CCI 200, BR2 or Remington 9 1/2 primers can affect accuracy in a specific weapon and are worth experimenting with. I generally only change one component at a time so that I can see the effects of that change.
Magnum primers can be used for very low temperature application, but this should be done with care.
[ 02-17-2004: Message edited by: DMCI ]
Brent
Well-Known Member
Harv,
I use 210M and 215M primers for most all my loading, 210M mostly.
I've never had a hangfire, or misfire with the 210M down to near 0 deg F temps in the 300 Ultra, or 30-338 Lapua Imp. I've used RL22, RL25 and Retumbo mainly, another powder "may" be different.
Do try the 215M though, it has given great groups when the 210M didn't, and the other way around too. Pressure changes are usually no more than 2-4K psi at most, and often the 210M will drop pressure, but one load with the 178 A-Max recently went up 3K psi using the 210M over the 215M. The exact opposite happened with the 210 JLK and many others though. MV changes are not always indicative of pressure changes associated with primer changes though. I believe this may be why the change of primer type can have some effect on groups.
Nick told me recently that he had a problem with hangfires using CCI standard primers, I think that's what they were anyway. He had been using WLRM and doing fine until he changed. Then he went to Fed, 210 I think, but he said ES was too great and when he went back to the WLRM he had his first hangfire with it. I haven't heard any more on where he's at yet, but so far the Fed did work fine.
I use 210M and 215M primers for most all my loading, 210M mostly.
I've never had a hangfire, or misfire with the 210M down to near 0 deg F temps in the 300 Ultra, or 30-338 Lapua Imp. I've used RL22, RL25 and Retumbo mainly, another powder "may" be different.
Do try the 215M though, it has given great groups when the 210M didn't, and the other way around too. Pressure changes are usually no more than 2-4K psi at most, and often the 210M will drop pressure, but one load with the 178 A-Max recently went up 3K psi using the 210M over the 215M. The exact opposite happened with the 210 JLK and many others though. MV changes are not always indicative of pressure changes associated with primer changes though. I believe this may be why the change of primer type can have some effect on groups.
Nick told me recently that he had a problem with hangfires using CCI standard primers, I think that's what they were anyway. He had been using WLRM and doing fine until he changed. Then he went to Fed, 210 I think, but he said ES was too great and when he went back to the WLRM he had his first hangfire with it. I haven't heard any more on where he's at yet, but so far the Fed did work fine.
