204 primers

[doninva]

I think I'm going to try some Varget powder for my 7mm-08 and some 204s. Which primer should I use for the 204. Will the standard small rifle work or do you need the mags. Thanks, Don

[PA-Joe]

Standard

[Catfish]

I like the Rem. 7 1/2 primers. They cost more but with an accurate gun they are even more accurate most of the time. Get 100 of several differentprimers and find out what your gun likes best.

[gube]

The 204 is on the high end for performance therefore I prefer to use the magnum primers which have a thicker cup and are less prone to piercing or flattening. I usually use what is available locally which are the CCI 450's

[gofish]

plus 1 for Rem 7 1/2

[LaOtto222]

Remington 7 1/2 is my favorite small rifle primer for high intensity cartridges. It was developed by Remington when they came out with the 17 Remington because they were having trouble with pierced primers during the development of the 17 Rem. Their price is about the same as other standard small rifle primers. CCI BR4 primers is another good primer with a thick cup, but they have a premium price. Both work well with hard to ignite powders such as W 748 as well as powders that are easier to ignite. Both are difficult to get right now - at least for me. I had a 5K supply of the Remington 7 1/2 and about 1.5K of the CCI BR4 primers before the primers really became difficult to get. I hope it is enough to ride out the shortage. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[cwall]

An item of interest on the Remington 7-1/2 primer.  I talked with Remington, and they said that the 7-1/2 is not classified as a magnum primer but it is hotter than the standard model.

[LaOtto222]

The Remington 7 1/2 primer has a thick cup, preventing it from being pierced when shooting high pressure loads. I have used it with BL C2 in a 222 Remington and got excellent groups. Also in 223 with great results. I use it in every thing from 221 Fire Ball through the 223. I have yet to have a pierced primer and they shoot tiny groups. Of course I do not over load my rounds, but I have not had ignition trouble, no matter what powder I was using. Remington first developed the 7 1/2 for the 17 Remington when they were experiencing pierced primers with their regular primers. Unfortunately, these are difficult to get right now. I have just bought Wolf primers - they make 3 different ones for small rifle. I bought the one with a thick cup and regular primer compound. I think it is a 223M. It is not their magnum, they have one of those too. I have not had a chance to develop any loads with them yet, so I can not report as to their reliability or accuracy. They do have a good reputation, however. 

[Steve P]

My first choice would be the WSR followed by the Rem 7 1/2.  The Rem 7 1/2 are hotter and you will want to start lower than max loads and work up.  With that size of case, I have found the Rem 7 1/2 primers to be less accurate with many of the powders I use.  I have not tried Varget in the 204 so the 7 1/2s may work for you, just work up your load to be safe.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Steve