Is there any other difference between these two primers other than that the CCI BR produce a more consistant flash?
Are the BR primers hotter?

Yes, there are two huge differences between the BR and the regular primer: The label and the price.

I've seen double-blind tests that indicate that there is no difference in the performance of otherwise identical "benchrest" versus "standard" primers from the same manufacturer, either in ballistic performance or in group size. Polishing your brass to a high luster has about the same effect on load performance.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
Yes, there are two huge differences between the BR and the regular primer: The label and the price.

I've seen double-blind tests that indicate that there is no difference in the performance of otherwise identical "benchrest" versus "standard" primers from the same manufacturer, either in ballistic performance or in group size. Polishing your brass to a high luster has about the same effect on load performance.

+1

Though there has been much debate on this site as to whether there is any difference in the regular and the BR primers produced by CCI, good old CCI themselves used to tell writers and editors that there was NO difference save one...that they ran the BR primers on weekends, when they could call in extra inspectors to work the line. With extra people inspecting the primers, they could increase quality control and weed-out any flawed primers more assuredly.

So, they were the same primers (acording to CCI), with even fewer chances of getting a bad one every once in a while. Whether that is worth the money probably depends on the level of competition or the value of the hunt one is particpating in....

So I've been spending an extra $2 every time I get primers. I could've bought a couple gallons of gas!

I'll go against the grain & say maybe. I've taken exc. accuracy loads & substituted several diff. primers & while I can't see alot of diff. in measured vel., accuracy can vary quite abit. Sometiems better & sometimes worse using a match primer.
My best load, for my 338-06, shows a marked preference for CCI BR primers. The groups are smaller & more uniformly round. Are match primers worth it? If your groups sizes are smaller w/ whatever primer you use, then they are worth it to me.

There is a LOT of difference between the several brands of small rifle primers with regards to diameter, height, hotness, and such (which surprised me) but between cci small rifle primers and small br primers is qc, as posted.
It would be easy enough to do a blind test.

As they're the same primer except for some extra care, a "blind" test might take a long while, right up until a dud primer turned up. (If it ever did.)

There was an article in Handloader Magazine a number of months ago that compared results with one rifle (a .223 Remington if I remember correctly) and loads with various match vs regular primers. Consistently better accuracy was obtained with match primers with Remington bench rest primers coming out on top.

If you're OK with 2 or 3 inch 100 yard groups or if your gun won't do better than that, there is no point in spending the extra money. If you want the smallest groups, use match primers.

I have experimented with a variety of primers in various cartridges. The most interesting results were obtained with a 357 Herrett which really liked CCI 250 (magnum rifle) primers with IMR 4227; who would have guessed.

Try different primers, the results may surprise you.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
There was an article in Handloader Magazine a number of months ago that compared results with one rifle (a .223 Remington if I remember correctly) and loads with various match vs regular primers. Consistently better accuracy was obtained with match primers with Remington bench rest primers coming out on top.

There is a interesting artical in the latest Precision Shooting mag on various small rifle primers also. CCI,Win SR, Fed, and their BR clones included along with the Rem 7 1/2.

A blind test waiting for a dud may take forever as I can't recall having one from either standard nor br cci primers.

The blind test I had in mind is to load up say 10 of each and put them in a seperate bag and have someone else shoot them for accuracy or shoot them yourself without knowing which bag was which. And don't look for the little dimple.

quote:

The blind test I had in mind is to load up say 10 of each and put them in a seperate bag and have someone else shoot them for accuracy or shoot them yourself without knowing which bag was which. And don't look for the little dimple.

+1

A double-blind test is even better. Whenever the shooter is looking for, hunting for, or just hoping for a result, it usually skews his performance slightly. Just human nature and can't be avoided.

The best test when evaluating components is for someone else to load the gun with each individual round, alternating the batches with each round. The shooter should then fire two test groups (from a warmed barrel) simultanously, that is alternating shots for each group until both groups are complete. Firing one group following the other raises questions about barrel heat, fouling, etc. If both groups have the same barrel heating and fouling, then the test will say something more useful about the load itself.

Very good, except for this. As rifles prefer different loads, the test rifle/s may just prefer either primer. And then the other primer with a slightly different load.

Eventually the men in white coats will come for you while waiting for "perfect" conditions.

The worst primers I've used were Rem BR - but with a different powder/case/load???

I did a little test with CCI BR4's as opposed to CCI 450's and there wasnt enough differenc to make any difference. The SD was less by 5 with the 450's. Enough difference that I don't buy the BR4's anymore. DW

in my 6.5swede i tried CCI200, CCI BR-2 and federal 210 with tonnes of differet podwer/primer/140gr bullet combos. the BR-2 primers gave the worst groupings by far.

quote:

Originally posted by crout:
in my 6.5swede i tried CCI200, CCI BR-2 and federal 210 with tonnes of differet podwer/primer/140gr bullet combos. the BR-2 primers gave the worst groupings by far.

Just goes to show, every rifle is different.