Federal Rifle Primers

[PJ Hardtack]

It is generally believed that Federal pistol primers have a softer shell than other makes.

Is that true of their rifle primers as well?

[Pettifogger]

Hope not.  Rifle primers are subjected to much higher pressures that typical for a handgun.  If you have a rifle that won't set off a rifle primer you need to look at your mainspring and any friction points in the ignition system and fix it.

[PJ Hardtack]

One of the problems is that my 'Farmer' '74 has been converted to the new small diameter firing pin.

I may put the old large pin block back in.

[PJ Hardtack]

Had another range session with my 50-70 Military Rifle today. For expedience, the load was smokeless - 28/5744 with 375 and 450 gr bullets, Federal primers.

Didn't experience a single failure to fire, so the rifle definitely had a preference for Federal primers. OK by me as I just happen to have a thou squirreled away ....

BTW, my 50-70 carbine shoots these same loads into the same group at 100 yds, sitting or off hand. It has become my 'fun' plinking gun. An 8" square gong at 100 yds is no great challenge.

[Pettifogger]

Back in the "old" days we all used Federal Magnum Rifle primers for BP.  Not because they were softer, but because they supposedly had a hotter more consistent spark.  I think most people have given up on that idea the past few years.