Magnum primers for my 30-06 ammo?

[SWThomas]

I loaded up some 30-06 to work up a load. I used IMR 4350, 168g AMAX, CCI 200 primers, and Win brass. I was getting pretty inconsistent velocities and accuracy. An older gentleman at my shooting range who teaches reloading classes told me I should try magnum primers. He said they should help with the velocity fluctuations.

How many of you 30-06 shooters are using magnum primers?

 

[bigedp51]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and what is amazing is the Remington 9 1/2 and 7 1/2 primers are not magnum primers "BUT" they are called baby flame throwers.
And when Remington ran Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Remington primers were used to light off harder to ignite Winchester ball powders.

A Match Primer Study in the 30-06 Cartridge
By Germán A. Salazar

The Rifleman's Journal: Primers - Large Rifle Primer Study

 

[GhostFace]

It depends on the powder I am using, for RL22 I use a magnum primer and the accuracy it great. For H4350 I use a standard and accuracy is great. I think you need to experiment some to find the right combo for your stick...

 

[RHunter]

He said they should help with the velocity fluctuations.

The Federal 210M's give me the best numbers but the fluctuations will be there for many reasons other than primers.... Case fill volume, seating depth, powder choice, neck tension... all these things can affect velocity consistency. What your particular problem is can't be easily ascertained by knowing the primer you are using. It really is a sum of all things I mentioned.

I don't use mag primers in 30-06... there is absolutely no need for it.

 

[JGorski]

I loaded up some 30-06 to work up a load. I used IMR 4350, 168g AMAX, CCI 200 primers, and Win brass. I was getting pretty inconsistent velocities and accuracy. An older gentleman at my shooting range who teaches reloading classes told me I should try magnum primers. He said they should help with the velocity fluctuations.

How many of you 30-06 shooters are using magnum primers?

I couldn't tell the difference in accuracy between the BR2s and WLRs, which are very close to being a magnum primer.

 

[GhostFace]

I have read the standard primers typically give better numbers than magnum primers. I agree with Rhunter about neck tension, case prep etc. If all that is good then you might see a little more inconsistency with magnum primers. I know I can get my numbers ES almost into the single digits with the right combo of componets using standard primers. I cant when I use the magnum but its not a huge difference. But you really don't know what's going to happen unless you start tinkering around with different combos. Didn't plan on using magnum primers but I decided what the hell and I am glad that I did because the magnum primer load actually shoots better than the one using standard primers.

 

[SWThomas]

Thanks for the info fellas! I'll conduct some more testing.

 

[DocB]

SW,

I tend to load heavier bullets (185+) with slower powders in .30-06, so the WLRM or CCI#34 worked better for me. Normal rule of thumb is to use standard primers with less than 50 grains of powder, between 50-60 grains or ball powders find what shoots best with that powder, over 60 grains use a magnum primer.

You're on the edge with your combo, depending upon weather and other conditions.

HTH,
DocB