Primer use

[Salmon]

I load for a 308/270/30:06 and use CCI 200 primers.
I also load a 300 mag and use CCI 250 primers.

I am almost out of the CCI 200 primers and was wondering if I could use the CCI 250 for 308/270 etc. Would it change anything in pressure or speed?

 

[RookieWYhntr]

Yeah, reduce your load some and work your way back up again. Some folks even recommend magnum primers in super cold weather.

 

[Zeke]

Some guys say it impacts the load a full grain of powder when using a mag primer in a standard case but I'm sure that's just a "rule of thumb so guys will reduce their load a little.

RookieWYhntr is spot-on!

I just fire formed 300 rounds of brass in a sacrificial barrel and used mag primers because they were a brand that I don't use in anything and it was a good use for them. Didn't seem to make much difference on that load but there's a lot going on with fire forming which you won't have.

Zeke

 

[Chesterwyo]

Some guys say it impacts the load a full grain of powder when using a mag primer in a standard case but I'm sure that's just a "rule of thumb so guys will reduce their load a little.

RookieWYhntr is spot-on!

I just fire formed 300 rounds of brass in a sacrificial barrel and used mag primers because they were a brand that I don't use in anything and it was a good use for them. Didn't seem to make much difference on that load but there's a lot going on with fire forming which you won't have.

Zeke

Wouldn’t your fire formed brass be formed to the chamber on the sacrificial barrel?

 

[Homer]

I’ve never considered fire forming detrimental to a barrel.....and I’ve done a fair amount....am I missing something?

 

[Zeke]

Wouldn’t your fire formed brass be formed to the chamber on the sacrificial barrel?

Yes.
However, if the sacrificial barrel and the new barrel are carefully chambered at the same time, and with the new reamer, the outcome if damn near perfect.
I neck size only the formed brass and have a tiny amount of bolt-press. Perfect.

 

[Zeke]

I’ve never considered fire forming detrimental to a barrel.....and I’ve done a fair amount....am I missing something?

Short answer is ...well, maybe you are but I cannot really answer that for YOU.

Long answer:
If I'm fireforming a metric buttload of brass (300+) and I care about round-count (wear) in the new barrel (22-250AI), then it matters to ME. * my brother formed 300+ in the sacrificial barrel too so it might make more sense to you now.

If I only get 1200-1500 rounds down the tube before top accuracy slips, I would have been 1/4+/- of the way done with the new barrel. That is IF I let it cool down between shots so the metal wasn't as malleable and subject to wear.

If I'm fireforming just a few, and willing to let the barrel cool down between shots, then it's not as detrimental on the new barrel.

I only did it because it made perfect sense, to ME.

By the way, we had a ton of fun shooting 100 rounds each for 3 trips to the range. Way fun to bang away without a care in the world about hot barrel and barrel wear.
And the new rifle shoots like and f-ing champ!

Zeke

 

[Chesterwyo]

Yes.
However, if the sacrificial barrel and the new barrel are carefully chambered at the same time, and with the new reamer, the outcome if damn near perfect.
I neck size only the formed brass and have a tiny amount of bolt-press. Perfect.

Sounds pretty slick.

 

[ELKOHOLIC]

Zeke, are you saying that you buy 2 barrels when doing this? Do you do the reaming or have you got someone that does it for you?

 

[Zeke]

Zeke, are you saying that you buy 2 barrels when doing this? Do you do the reaming or have you got someone that does it for you?

Elkoholic,

I already had a shot-out 22-250 rifle to chamber with the new AI reamer so I just used it for the chamber. I'm too cheap to pay for a new barrel and then try my hardest to burn it out! haha

The new barrel has an 8 twist for my 80's at 3439 fps. Pretty dang fun and the thing is a shooter! Makes 600 yards seem pretty close!

My coyote hunting buddy (leaving in a couple hours for a weekend trip) does the metal work for us. I'm a stock guy so I leave the metal to the expert.

Zeke

 

[trophyhunter]

Yeah, reduce your load some and work your way back up again. Some folks even recommend magnum primers in super cold weather.

We only use Federal 215 magnum Primers in all conditions, really cold damp, need a good hot ignition source.