Whats the difference between cci, winchester and federal primers

What they're made of -- can burn "hotter", for example WLRM (Winchester large rifle magnum). Also, some have softer components and strike different with varying firing pin types/spring strengths.

IMHO, very little. I have used mostly CCi's for the very scientific reason of that is what the little gun shop stocked when I started reloading. Since then I have tried other primers for various reasons. I have never found that a change in primers will cause the dramatic differences in accuracy or velocity that I have seen posted in here and other rooms. If one is shooting bench rest where a reduction of 1/16th" is cause for celebration, one may choose one primer over another but in the real world with a factory rifle shooting a hunting load, I don't think it makes a lot of difference. I don't know what would happen if one shot reloads with a mix of primers, I've never tried it.

some are made with lead styphnate and some are aluminum spagnate.
cup thicknesses are different.
some have more priming compound.
some have a hotter burning compound.

other than that they are all xactly the same.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
IMHO, very little.

Me too If you're not into bench rest. Even than I wonder. roger

Rifle Primer Dimension Chart

Manufacturer Number A B C
Cup Cup Cup
Thickness Diameter Height
Small Rifle
CCI 400 .020" .1753" .109"
450 .025" .1750" .113"
BR4 .025" .1755" .109"
Federal 200 .019" .1757" .111"
205M .0225" .1744" .1075"
Remington 6 1/2 .020" .1753" .109"
7 1/2 .025" .1752" .110"
Winchester SR .021" .1750" .109"
Large Rifle
CCI 200 .027" .2112" .118"
250 .027" .2113" .118"
Federal 210 .027" .2120" .117"
215 -- -- --
Remington 9 1/2 .027" .2100" .119"
Winchester LR .027" .2114" .121"
Mag .027" .2114" .121"

only differences i've ever found is that winchesters are just slightly larger in diameter, and the federal small pistol primers are a bit more sensitive than others other than that they all go bang

Federal 215 Hotter
WLRM
CCI 250
Rem 9-1/2 M
WLR
Fed 210
CCI BR2
CCI 200
Rem 9-1/2 Cooler