Wolf primers

[perna]

Whats the difference between the small rifle magnum and the 223 primers?

I just got my reloading equipment, and Im not really sure what to buy for primers, powder, and bullets. Was thinking wolf 223 primers, TAC powder, and 55 grain bullets, is that good to start with?

[herd48]

I don't think that there is a lot of difference. Either one will work. I'm using Wolf SRM right now because that is what was available. Both are slightly hotter, and have thicker cups than regular SR primers. Either way you're GTG.

[markman]

Anyone having problems with the Wolf primers?

[m4fun]

No - but the posts by Gary has me worried - would love to see the lot # - no issues here.

[STJ]

Ran a comparison of Wolf 556, CCI 400, CCI 450 and CCI 41 primers.

Load consisted of 26gr H335, once fired LC08 brass trimmed to 1.75", Hornady bulk 55gr FMJ and OAL 2.22"

Gun: LaRue Stealth 16"
Chrono: Pro Chrono

The temperature outside was 27deg but the ammo was keeped at 68deg until fired. The barrel was cooled between batches until I could hold onto it. The barrel was brought up to temp before the first batch. All batches were 15 shot each.

Wolf 556
High 2976
Low 2892
Ave 2944
ES 84
SD 27

CCI 400
High 2976
Low 2842
Ave 2926
ES 134
SD 44

CCI 41
High 2956
Low 2886
Ave 2921
ES 70
SD 23

CCI 450
High 2996
Low 2886
Ave 2954
ES 110
SD31


The Wolf primers were the easies to seat with the CCI 450 the hardest (they took some force). The other two were only slightly harder to seat than the Wolf.

The CCI 400 were the flattest after firing. The Wolf and CCI 450 showed the least flatting, CCI 41 was in between.


On a side note Wolfs Magnum small pistol primers vs CCI standard small pistol. The Wolfs produced lower speeds and higher ES and SD in my 9mm. Listed are just two tests, but Wolf consistently under perform CCI.

9mm / Browning Hipower

CCI small pistol primer
5.6gr Power Pistol
124gr JHP
OAL 1.10
Ave 1123
ES 42
SD 11

Wolf small pistol magnum
5.6gr Power Pistol
124gr JHP
OAL 1.10
Ave 1099
ES 65
SD 18

[TomMcC]

Anyone having problems with the Wolf primers?

We sell a lot of Wolf primers. What we found is this: 1) they need to be seated deep enough (all primer brands are not the same height); and 2) if you have a light strike (as in you've adjusted your gun for recoil - shorten the striker spring, trigger job, etc), you may need to make some adjustments to your loads.

Hammer mechanism-based guns have had zero problems.

Easy solutions for slide-based mechansims included putting in a new spring.

~wifey

[akxx]

Wolf SRM is NOT any hotter than their standard SR primers--only has a harder cup.

This is a bit confusing for those of us used to the 'magnum' nomenclature to indicate a hotter primer charge.

[TomMcC]

That's curious...why would cartridge X need a harder primer cup?

I never thought to consider what Wolf meant by 'magnum' after their primer sizes. It just 'is.'

~wifey

[akxx]

That's curious...why would cartridge X need a harder primer cup?

I never thought to consider what Wolf meant by 'magnum' after their primer sizes. It just 'is.'

~wifey

I believe it is to minimize slam fire potential.

[herd48]

ak is correct. Prevent slam fires. And btw, according to Wideners website. The Wolf 223 primers are "slightly" hotter than the magnum primers. But have the thickest cup. Magnums have the same amount of primer material as regular primers. But their cups are thicker than standard. Another very important reason to use magnum or 223 primers is to prevent gas blow by. Which can cut the face of your bolt. Right around the firing pin hole. This is not good. This is especially possible when loading to 556 velocities and pressure.

[MarshallDodge]

I am finishing up a box of 1000 Wolf large pistol primers for 45ACP. So far I have shot 600 of them without an issue in my 1911's. They are a little more difficult to seat than the Federal and Winchester primers that I normally use.

[akxx]

I am finishing up a box of 1000 Wolf large pistol primers for 45ACP. So far I have shot 600 of them without an issue in my 1911's. They are a little more difficult to seat than the Federal and Winchester primers that I normally use.

I've heard from some that their preferred method is a slight extra push at the end of the primer seating process...that you will actually feel a slight extra 'crush'. Don't actually crush!

[HelloLarry]

Ran a comparison of Wolf 556, CCI 400, CCI 450 and CCI 41 primers.

Load consisted of 26gr H335, once fired LC08 brass trimmed to 1.75", Hornady bulk 55gr FMJ and OAL 2.22"

Gun: LaRue Stealth 16"
Chrono: Pro Chrono

The temperature outside was 27deg but the ammo was keeped at 68deg until fired. The barrel was cooled between batches until I could hold onto it. The barrel was brought up to temp before the first batch. All batches were 15 shot each.

Wolf 556
High 2976
Low 2892
Ave 2944
ES 84
SD 27

CCI 400
High 2976
Low 2842
Ave 2926
ES 134
SD 44

CCI 41
High 2956
Low 2886
Ave 2921
ES 70
SD 23

CCI 450
High 2996
Low 2886
Ave 2954
ES 110
SD31




You realize, of course, that that info is only valid for those particular lot #s of primers. A different lot of any of those primers could/would yield different results.

When you find a lot of primers that gives low ES and SD with a particular load, buy as many primers of that lot # as you can!