Lead Free Primers Experiences.

[arakboss]

Has anybody worked with this type of CCI Lead Free primer, if so how did they perform? This morning I read that some lead free primers are hydrophilic and may have shorter shelf life and other lead free primers aren't. If somebody has some of these on hand can you tell me what color the priming compound appears to be?

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[arakboss]

Here is a pic of the CCI lead free primers.
These were part of a big batch I picked up off Craigslist so I don't know the vintage of them. I loaded up ten rounds of 40 S&W with a 6.9gr charge of CFE Pistol and a 165gr bullet. I will fire these very carefully to make sure they are functioning correctly.

 

[gmerkt]

I have no experience of these. That said, some of us won't live long enough to discover the answer to the question of how long they might last. With that idea in mind, use them up first. They probably already have some age on them.

 

[Koda]

Does gunpowder have lead in it?

Hypothetically, if you use copper bullets and lead free primers are your rounds entirely lead free?

 

[arakboss]

I am going to be shooting at a rifle range later today on a restricted time schedule (no time to hit pistol range). I haven't gotten around to testing the 40 S&W rounds I loaded up previously with the LF primers. This morning I seated 5 lead free primers in 5 empty 223 cases to test out while I am at rifle range today. No powder or bullet, I just want to see if the primers go bang.

 

[arakboss]

I am going to be shooting at a rifle range later today on a restricted time schedule (no time to hit pistol range). I haven't gotten around to testing the 40 S&W rounds I loaded up previously with the LF primers. This morning I seated 5 lead free primers in 5 empty 223 cases to test out while I am at rifle range today. No powder or bullet, I just want to see if the primers go bang.

5 out of 5 went bang, so I am assuming the brick of primers is still good.

 

[Hemlock]

About 4 years ago there was an article in Shooting Times magazine about tests done on lead free primers. They're supposed to keep your gun cleaner. I have it saved in a pdf file, but I don't know how to attach it here.

 

[Koda]

About 4 years ago there was an article in Shooting Times magazine about tests done on lead free primers. They're supposed to keep your gun cleaner. I have it saved in a pdf file, but I don't know how to attach it here.

If they are cleaner then why arent people using them more?

What is the trade off?

 

[Hemlock]

If they are cleaner then why arent people using them more?

What is the trade off?

I don't remember. I'll have to find the file/article and read it again.

 

[Koda]

I don't remember. I'll have to find the file/article and read it again.

A quick search, I cant find anything from Shooting Times. But what I do find suggests there is no trade off using lead free primers.

 

[Hemlock]

A quick search, I cant find anything from Shooting Times. But what I do find suggests there is no trade off using lead free primers.

I still haven't figured out how to post the whole PDF document, but here are a few snips of the 5 page story.

 

[Koda]

I still haven't figured out how to post the whole PDF document, but here are a few snips of the 5 page story.

View attachment 2002595
View attachment 2002596

It doesn't sound like there are any downsides.
So then why arent these common and available? Whats holding these back from public use?

 

[wombatz]

Might just be the cost of changing the machinery making them. The article mentions cost but might not be talking about the profit margin of each.

 

[Koda]

Might just be the cost of changing the machinery making them. The article mentions cost but might not be talking about the profit margin of each.

My guess is it has more to do with demand.
I dont think enough people care about lead exposure to switch.

 

[gmerkt]

Did I read somewhere that now the US Military requires all primers in government ammunition to be lead free?