I have several hundred primers(cci 109) that are probably 30 years old which i used for shotshell reloading back in the day. I'm now considering doing some target shooting with a new 30-06 and wonder if they will work for rifle cartridge reloading. Are they even the right size. etc? I would be using for light recoil 110 grain bullets with H4895. Thoughts, opinions?

If they were properly stored they're probably still good for shot shells but they won't fit rifle cartridges. For the '06 you'll need large rifle primers.

Thanks for your prompt reply craigster . As you can see, i am new to metallic cartridge reloading, so will likely be looking to the veterans here for help.

quote:

30 years old

That's not old.

I'm still using some of Grandads primers.

I can't recommend enough that those new to reloading buy a copy of Lyman's reloading manual - I have both 48th & 49th editions.
Reading it will enlighten you to the differences between various primers & other components & the necessity of using the correct ones. You will also have a netter understanding of reloading principles & thus more confidence in your ammunition.

PS I'm still using CCI primers from 1980.

lee243--Your description of light recoiling 110 grain bullets in a 30-06 makes me strongly believe you have yet to shoot any of them. If you haven't, you will be disappointed--recoil is right there with the recoil of the heavier bullets. Ditto on the Lyman Manual.

My ditto on the Lyman Reloading manual did not mean it recoils--it meant get one if you don't already have one.

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one of us-carpetman
Posted 23 December 2011 20:17 Hide Post
My ditto on the Lyman Reloading manual did not mean it recoils--it meant get one if you don't already have one.

Thanks for the recommendations on the Lyman manual guys. I always followed published reloading data very carefully when i was doing a lot of shotshell reloading, so will do likewise with rifle reloading. I am aware that changing recipes can result in big pressure increases, so plan to be very conservative. I do however think that loading a 110 grain bullet at moderate velocities should result in significant recoil reduction(compared to, say standard 150 grain factory ammo)...after all isn't that the formula that Remington's managed recoil ammo uses?

Lee 243--I did a quick look and most of the 110 grain loads were in the 2700fps starting range. That is going to be a blasty and fairly heavy recoiling load. Not as much reduced nor as much different from a 150 grainer as you hope for. Cast your own bullets and by using Unique powder, for example and get them down to about 1600 fps and then you'll have it. Not much more blast or recoil than a .22 rimfire. Same cast bullet around 2400 fps will kick every bit as much as a 30-30. Try the 110's and give us a report.

lee243--Here is a recoil formula you might find useful. This formula does not give recoil in pounds--just a factor number you can use for rough comparisons. The number is not linear. 20 and above you'll find to be kickers. Bullet weight (in grains)+ powder charge (in grains) X muzzle velocity (in fps) divided by 3500 (constant) divided by rifle weight (in pounds). Compare one you know to an unknown and you'll get a pretty good idea.

lee243--I mentioned using cast bullets and I mentioned getting a Lyman Reloading Manual. Lyman is one of the older companies supplying casting equipment, thus their manual has reloading data for cast bullets as well as jacketed. It also has information about casting, which is what got me interested in casting over 40 years ago. Some will make casting sound like rocket science and very elaborate equipment needed. Not true. You can get started fairly economically and it is fairly simple process. You can shoot cast bullets a lot cheaper than buying jacketed.

Cci 109's will not fit in a30-06 case!!!! Am I missing something? I read all of the other post. You cannot do this.they will work fine in shot shell cases but not rifle cases!!!

quote:

Bella1
one of us
Posted 28 December 2011 20:28 Hide Post
Cci 109's will not fit in a30-06 case!!!! Am I missing something? I read all of the other post. You cannot do this.they will work fine in shot shell cases but not rifle cases!!!

That was addressed in one of the first responses Bella1, but thanks for pointing it out again. My dumb leaked out at the git go.