I have read much about the variation (or lack of variation)in primer quality on accuracy. I personally have found Federal Gold Medal Match large rifle primers produce tighter groups than CCI large rifle - when all the other components of the loaded round are the same for my 243. Perhaps if the load were adjusted the CCI primered rounds may tighten up, but that is another discussion.

However setting the chemistry of the primer aside... has anyone found a small rifle primer that seats more 'sweetly' - when different makes are compared. I expect the primers that are slightly smaller in diameter and depth would be the best?

Regards...

...Titan

I usually use Federal match primers myself but they are not the best primer for all guns. In most loads I've tried different primers in, the brand doesn't seem to make an appreciable difference. In my 357 Herrett, the preference for CCI 250 large rifle magnum primers over Federal 210M primers is quite noticible.

As far as seating "sweetly" is concerned, I think there is more likely to be variation in the case dimensions of primer pockets than there is to be in variation of primer size.

I think I find Federals easier, softer.
I went to Federal once when I needed a softer primer to accommodate a light hammer fall and noticed easier seating.
One case, one example, no overwhelming evidence.

At one time or another I`ve had trouble with all brands of primers I have used seating properly. I had a batch of CCIs once I distorted trying to seat in Win cases and later they went in another lot with no trouble. The same has happened with Win LR primers. I have to agree with the above post that the tolerance of both the cases and primers vary and finding a certain brand that works in all cases is likely to happen.

Many have commented on the Winchester (and Sellior & Bellot) pockets that are standard depth, but with a large radius juncture between the bottom and the side of the pocket. Winchester primers bottom well, but many others don't, and get mashed at full seating depth.
Uniforming the pockets generally eliminates the problem, but is an extra chore.