Primer question - The Firearms Forum

rrabush · 03-30-2011, 01:06 AM

Can you use small rifle primers in 5.56 brass? Thanks for help

LDBennett · 03-30-2011, 06:20 AM

rrabush:

Since most 5.56 brass is probably military, the primers may be crimped in. The primer pocket dimensions are the same as Small Rifle primers but after the manufacturer installed the primers they may have crimped the edge of the pocket so that the primers would NEVER fall out in the field. You must remove that crimp after punching out the primers in order for standard commercial Small Pistol primers to seat without being destroyed in the process. There are swaging and counter sink tools made to remove the crimp.

There is another challenge with some Military brass. Some is Berdan primed rather than the US standard of Boxer primed. The Berdan primer uses two small off center holes between the primer pocket and the powder cavity whereas Boxer primed cases use a single larger centralized hole. Regular dies will not remove Berdan pirmers.

In the future a question about ammo or reloading belongs in the Ammo and Reloading section of the forum, not here. Thanks.

LDBennett

old semperfi · 03-30-2011, 06:22 AM

dont really understand the question,that is what they use. old semperfi

JLA · 03-30-2011, 02:38 PM

5.56 is a small rifle case and will use small rifle primers.

It is the military counterpart of the .223 rem. American made mil-spec 5.56X45MM ammo is loaded with CCI #41 primers, which is the military version of the CCI 450, or small rifle magnum primer.

You can buy CCI #41s but they are pricey and harder to find. I use CCI 450s in all my .223 reloads.

gdmoody · 03-30-2011, 07:39 PM

Small rifle primers are all I use in the .223.

woolleyworm · 03-30-2011, 09:12 PM

CCI 41's if you have any issue at all with a slam fire. Usually not needed, but they're less sensitive than standard small rifle primers; so a harder strike is needed to ignite them. ( mil spec )

medalguy · 04-03-2011, 11:39 PM

I use Remington small rifle benchrest primers. I understand these have a slightly harder cup which MAY help prevent a slamfire. Never had any problems at all myself.

03-30-2011, 01:06 AM	#1
rrabush Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1	Primer question Can you use small rifle primers in 5.56 brass? Thanks for help -->

03-30-2011, 06:20 AM	#2
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,754	Re: Primer question rrabush: Since most 5.56 brass is probably military, the primers may be crimped in. The primer pocket dimensions are the same as Small Rifle primers but after the manufacturer installed the primers they may have crimped the edge of the pocket so that the primers would NEVER fall out in the field. You must remove that crimp after punching out the primers in order for standard commercial Small Pistol primers to seat without being destroyed in the process. There are swaging and counter sink tools made to remove the crimp. There is another challenge with some Military brass. Some is Berdan primed rather than the US standard of Boxer primed. The Berdan primer uses two small off center holes between the primer pocket and the powder cavity whereas Boxer primed cases use a single larger centralized hole. Regular dies will not remove Berdan pirmers. In the future a question about ammo or reloading belongs in the Ammo and Reloading section of the forum, not here. Thanks. LDBennett

03-30-2011, 06:22 AM	#3
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Primer question dont really understand the question,that is what they use. old semperfi

03-30-2011, 07:39 PM	#5
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,407	Re: Primer question Small rifle primers are all I use in the .223. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

03-30-2011, 09:12 PM	#6
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: Primer question CCI 41's if you have any issue at all with a slam fire. Usually not needed, but they're less sensitive than standard small rifle primers; so a harder strike is needed to ignite them. ( mil spec ) __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

03-30-2011, 02:38 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Primer question 5.56 is a small rifle case and will use small rifle primers. It is the military counterpart of the .223 rem. American made mil-spec 5.56X45MM ammo is loaded with CCI #41 primers, which is the military version of the CCI 450, or small rifle magnum primer. You can buy CCI #41s but they are pricey and harder to find. I use CCI 450s in all my .223 reloads. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

04-03-2011, 11:39 PM	#7
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: Primer question I use Remington small rifle benchrest primers. I understand these have a slightly harder cup which MAY help prevent a slamfire. Never had any problems at all myself.