I am fairly new at reloading and I know that there are a lot of different primers. I use Federal 215 magnum primers on my 7mm STW. I am starting to reload for my new 22-250 and need some primer advice. What is the difference between small rifle and large rifle? Is there a good reference on what primers fit what casings? The reason I ask is that my brother picked up some primers for me the other day and the guy recommended Winchester small rifle primers for my 22-250. I opened the box and they seem way too small for the primer pocket. Did he give me the wrong size? I think I need large rifle primers.

Yep. You got the wrong ones . You need the large rifle primers for the 22-250. Your loading manual should say what size primer is required for each different cartridge.

Yes, that is what I thought. My reloading manual is a speer and it used CCI 200 primers. That is what I asked for, but the guy said that the Winchester primers were better and handed me the small rifle primers. Guess he didn't know what he was talking about. He said that CCI primers were not as accurate at long ranges and I didn't know the difference. Thanks for the help and I will take more primer advice if anyone has any.....

Don't believe that CCI primers are not accurate. It just depends on the bullet, powder, and primer combination. Some combinations work well together, and others don't. As an example, Varget works very well with the CCI BR2 primers, and not as well with some other primers... at least in the 308. You just have to experiment and go on the experience of others. Sorry I can't help specifically with the 22-250, but I have never owned one. I'm sure others here can suggest a good starting load.

Good luck.

[ 01-09-2003, 07:10: Message edited by: Rufus ]

The 22-250 takes large rifle primers and Federal, CCI, Winchester all are very fine primers. Your reloading manual will tell you what size primer each case takes. Your rifle will tell you the primer it likes best by the groups it gives you. Most benchrest shooters use Federal primers. The 22-250 is one fine shooting varmint round with 53 or 55 grain bullets depending on your bores twist rate. My 22-250 likes REL -15, Varget, IMR-4064 powder with the 55 grain bullet.

I believe MOST reloading data published today includes mention of exactly what primer was used in a particular load-size, brand, magnum or not, etc.

JustinB, I think the dealer wanted to unload his brand of primers and probably just grabbed the wrong ones without checking. He might have misunderstood also and thought you said 222. Just take them back and I'm sure he will exchange them for you. I'm sure he values your business as a new reloading customer.

I agree completely wih those who recommended that you try different primers to see whether one brand gives you better accuracy than another. To do so, find a load that seems to be a good one for your rifle. Then vary the primers, changing nothing else, to see whether one primer gives better results than another.

In my experience, non-magnum primers give better accuracy than magnum ones in smaller capacity cases -- that means from 30-06 size cases down. I even use non-magnum primers (Winchester WLR) in my .375 H&H.

You could also go to Saeed's FAQ pages here. He did some primer tests and his results may be helpful to you.

[ 01-12-2003, 06:19: Message edited by: LE270 ]