Rifle primers

[Dixie Dude]

What is the difference between magnum rifle primers, standard rifle primers, and match primers?

[Bill In SC]

Well....   I will take a stab at this.

Of the three you mentioned, lets start with the "Regular" rifle primer.  These could be CCI 200's, Remington 91/2's etc...   They are your "Standard" primer.

"Magnum" primers on the other hand were designed to be a little hotter.  Some folks, and load books recommend these when using a ball type of powder.  The though process behind this is that the ball powder needs a "Hotter" ignition source.

"Benchrest" or "Match" primers are normally a standard primer that has went through a lot tighter quality control. 

One thing to keep in mind, all manufactures of primers are different.  Loads that are safe using a Remington 91/2 may not be safe by switching to another primer.  When ever making adjustments to your load and you change primer types, back off, start low and work back up.

[Castaway]

Good point Bill about backing off when you change a primer.  It may not make a difference, but if operating near the top end of load, it could send your pressures past the safety limits

[Dixie Dude]

So you are saying it is ok to use magnum primers with ball powder.  I thought they were for magnum cartridges.  I did however figure out match.  So a mild or slow burning powder can get an extra kick by using a magnum primer.  Interesting. 

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

A little backup to Bill's comment, quoted from the CCI website:

Q: What's the difference between a "standard" primer and a "magnum" primer?
A: A magnum primer provides a longer flame duration, a higher flame temperature, or both. In some primers (the CCI small pistol primers, for example) the magnum primer may have a thicker cup to better handle higher pressures. Use magnum primers only where recommended in published load data. Substituting a magnum primer for a standard one without a charge adjustment will nearly always increase pressures. We use Magnum primers in data development with many ball propellants, and with very large-capacity cases. They are also a plus when you are shooting in temperatures below 20 degrees F.

Be sure to note the warnings of higher pressures & charge adjustments.

Bill