I'm scouring the net looking for loads for my 7MM Remington Magnum and have noticed that some loads only list bullet, powder, and charge. Does the brand of brass and primer matter or are they interchangeable based on the shooters preferences?
Each brand and size of primer can affect a load differently and cna result in higher or lower pressures so you have to work up a load from the beginning anytime you change primers.
It does matter! in that the thickness of the brass is different which gives a different internal capacity these small changes can effect the pressure generated and the velocity of the bullet. the primers do the same thing. reloading is an art of consistancy, so if you mix brass, primers, or other components you will not have good groups and could result in a dangerous load if you don't work up from a starting load when trying a different component.
I'm not planning on mixing them. I'm wanting to try a 162 gr. hornady/H1000 combo, but it doesn't list what brass/primer to use. I'm trying to figure out what ones would work.
For primers, I definately prefer WLRM's. They give the most consistant and hottest flame of them all. As to the problem of brass, keep it all the same, whether you choose Winchester, Federal, Remington, Sako, or whatever. Different manufacturers have different internal capacities. This, in turn creates different pressures upon firing, which will affect accuracy. Seating depth also will affect accuracy and pressure. The mixing of brass is more critical in small capacity cases than the big bores, but the problem still is there. If possible, get all of your brass with the same lot number, and enjoy your reloading.
Been loading for my 7 mm mag for over 20 years and this is what I found out was best for my gun. (each gun is different so you will have to experiment) Federal primers. remington brass, IMR 4350 (max load is 63 gr.), and 150 gr. Sierra gameking BT or Noslar partition 150 gr. I've tried the H1000 but got more consistant groups with the 4350. I've also used 4831 with good results. I find the the Federal primers burn a hotter than the winchester. I also like to shoot the bullets with the boat tail design. they seem to group better.
I think primers don't make as much difference. Brass weight however I think makes a difference. Winchester brass is thicker and therefore holds less powder/water etc than rem or fed brass. This will raise pressures more so than a primer, unless of course you are going from a normal to a magnum primer.
Rick jamison done an article years ago on just this topic, he took a 300 win mag, which he had worked up a super fast accurate load for.
He began by changing one component at a time, first the primer, then the brass , then the powder lot,he didn't pay much mind to accuracy but he chrony'd every shot.
He then took the components which were slower and loaded them up, and those which were faster and loaded them up.
His end results were that the "slow" loads were shooting just over 30/06 velocities, and his "fast" ones were on the heels of the 300 weatherby, just from shooting different brass, primer , and same charge of the same powder from a different lot#. Oh the rifle was a factory howa.
RR
I guess a better way to word my question would be if a load calls for hornady brass, could you use winchester or remington? Same thing with primers. If it calls for one, could you use another?
Does primer and brass matter?
