Hard and soft small pistol primers

[mcoliver]

I've read about the Federal primers being "soft" and easily ignited and the CCI's as being "hard."

I was wondering how they are able to withstand pressures. Does it follow that since CCI is "harder" it can take on a higher pressure than the other "softer" brands? Or that the softer ones would exhibit the characteristics of over-pressures earlier than the one that is harder?

Thanks.

[Dead Buff]

I don't know the Federal stuff, but CCI is soft like putty compared to the PMP primers I use.

I have noticed that my PMP primers (SP Mag) show no signs of pressure, but the same load (.40 S&W) with CCI500 primers I get cratering (and the crater is flattened as well).

I don't think one primer handles pressure better than another, some just might show them earlier than others.

IMHO....

[TBF]

I have not blown enough primers to have my own opinion on this subject.

But, the highpower guys who seem to have this problem alot in rifles say that Win. handles more pressure than Fed. before it gives up.

My observations are that they are right. ( pistol primers too... )

Fed. shows pressure sooner than Win. in pistol loads, similar velocities with the same load ( the only difference being the primer ). The Fed. will flatten at the corners and swell at the edge long before the Win.

Travis F.