Loading with 215's over 210's

[PJ3]

I tried to do a search but was unable to find my answer so here goes...I'm loading for my .308Win with the Barnes 150gr TSX. The Barnes reloading manual calls for Federal 210 primers but I have Federal 215's. The posts I read said that most people have not experienced a difference between the two but I wanted to make sure. Is it ok to use the 215M's? Thanks in advance for the info.

[Catfish]

There is no need for the hotter primer with the .308 case, but they can be used. From all I have read and been told since 1966 when I started loading my own, the you will get a presure increase with mag. primers, and you should drop 1 gn. of powder from the recomanded starting load when working up a load. I have never used a strain gage so I can go only on what I have heard and seen by looking for presure signs, but have done that many times and never had a starting load that was hot.
I did due some expermenting with velosities and primers this summer in a .22-6mm. What I found in that round was very interesting. Useing the same load except for the primer, I compaired 5 different primers. Different brands and some standard and some mag. Takeing the average of 5 rounds from each load there was only 51 fps., as I recall, from the fastest to the slowest with a round that was running between 3,450 and 3,500 fps. That was 1 gun with a round that is definately over bore.

[Cossack]

According to an article in a gun rag that skips my 67 yr old mind, some mag primers are actually less "hot" than standard primers of another brand. And "benchrest primers" are only standard primers that are made by the most consistent primer maker.
Yes, you can use mags, just cut back 3-5% and work up the load....as you would do if you change ANY reloading component.

[BILLY D.]

Excellent advice from my two distinguished colleagues. You may also get a performance increase in both higher velocity and accuracy by using mag primers if you use Ball Powders.

Some extrudeds will almost always like mag primers when the weather dips below 0°.

Best wishes, Bill

[Rev]

Originally posted by Catfish
There is no need for the hotter primer with the .308 case, but they can be used. From all I have read and been told since 1966 when I started loading my own, the you will get a presure increase with mag. primers, and you should drop 1 gn. of powder from the recomanded starting load when working up a load. I have never used a strain gage so I can go only on what I have heard and seen by looking for presure signs, but have done that many times and never had a starting load that was hot.
I did due some expermenting with velosities and primers this summer in a .22-6mm. What I found in that round was very interesting. Useing the same load except for the primer, I compaired 5 ifferent primers. Different brands and some standard and some mag. Takeing the average of 5 rounds from each load there was only 51 fps., as I recall, from the fastest to the slowest with a round that was running between 3,450 and 3,500 fps. That was 1 gun with a round that is definately over bore.

Catfish, I usually get 50 f/s variatioins in my 3000-3800 f/s rifle chrono strings more often than not. If I'm reading you correctly, you're saying that the variation in chamber pressures is PROBABLY (and probably being a key word) not much, no matter what primer you use, at least in that .22-6mm. Doesn't Denton say the same thing in his posts on the subject? I personally don't use mag primers unless the powder being used is IMR 4831 or slower and sometimes with ball powders in rifle cases and with all full magnum loads in pistols. I've never really studied this situation the way you and Denton have, but have the impression that what you say is entirely correct, at least that's been my experience.

Rev