209 primers too powerful?
 

I have been doing some research on working up loads and i read on a particular website that they thought most 209 primers are too powerfull, as in pushing the sabot down the bore before the powder has a chance to push the sabot itself, resulting in poor grouping.

On the other hand, i have also seen tests done on primers where they measured how far a primer would push the ramrod down the bore. I'm assuming to find out which primer would push the farthest.

So what is it? Do you want maximum fire and push from a primer, or just enough to get reliable fire without too much push? I'm thinking along the lines of accuracy here.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

I think if it shoots very poorly, it's probably something other than the 209 primers.

That said, all 209s I've ever shot have plenty of juice to make the charge go off. So there is no need IMO to go grabbing 209 magnum primers.

The only primers i ever had trouble with were the Winchester 777 primers; they caused vertical stringing with my favorite load of FFG Goex Pinnacle. Vertical stringing is an indication of inconsistent ignition.

I use both Win W209 and T7 Primers, no problems ever with ignition or accuracy. If your Primer works and gives you excellant Accuracy then dont worry.
(BP)

cci 209m , cci 209, federal 209a primers all cause horrible groups when using T7 or pyrodex for me. I use the Winchester W209 for the other subs but cci 209m for blackhorn.

I have heard this as well and switched from normal shotgun primers to Winchester 777. I don't know if it is true but I don't have any complaints about the 777 so I guess I will stick with them.

I have a Knight LK 93 with the 209 conversion. It has the hex head breech plug. Doesn't use any kind of a plastic jacket. Primer fits right into the breech plug.

I have noticed that the CCI primers i have now (brass in color) don't fit all the way into the breech plug. I have some older primers that i can't remember the brand that are silver and they fit all the way down into the breech plug.

Anyone know which brands of primers are silver in color?

Only reason i ask is when this gun used percussion caps, the cap wouldn't fit all the way down onto the nipple. Whenever i went to shoot it, the first trigger pull wouldn't fire the cap, only sinch it down on the nipple, where it should be. Pull the hammer back again and it would go off the second time. Kinda messes up your concentration when your shooting at a deer.

So i'm kinda paranoid about caps/primers that don't fit perfectly.

Iowabucks44

There is a definite possibility that a 209 primer could move the projectile a distance off the powder before the ignition of the powder, creating the possibility of several problems in your barrel.

I believe the real key in the equation is the condition of the powder in the bore. If for some reason you do not get instant ignition of the powder charge - such a hangfire, damp powder, clogged brrech plug - you really could move the projectile up the bore and off the powder with the detonation of the primer.

I choose to use the coolest 209 primer I can find that provides 100% ignition of the powder I choose to use. I have found that using different primers with the same load and projectile can move the POI of impact but I have not found the case where primers effect the group size - if the powder is 100%

Iowabucks44

Not all primers are made the same length or even the same diameter. They will not all fit the primer pocket the same, which is not usually a problem. If the primer stays in the primer pocket and the hammer or the firing pin can reach them to set them off - all is good.

Silver (aluminum battery cups) primers - probably are some form of Winchester primer.

I have a MK and i use all different types of primers in it without any problems. I just make sure that the primer i use for hunting is the same primer I tuned the gun with.

But, really personally in the MK-LK or actually any hammer (plunger) gun I really do prefer a #11 mag cap.