Anyone Using CCI 400 Primers for .223 Reloading? Need Tips!

Ammunition & Reloading
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Seeking Insight on CCI 400 Primers for Reloading .223

I’m diving into reloading .223 Remington ammo and I’ve come across a lot of discussions about using CCI 400 small rifle primers. I’ve seen both positive and negative feedback, and I’m really curious about the community’s experiences with these primers.

Compatibility and Performance

From what I understand, the CCI 400 primers are designed for small rifle applications, but how well do they actually perform when reloading .223? I’m particularly interested in:

  • Accuracy: Are people seeing good accuracy with these primers?
  • Consistency: How do they stack up in terms of consistency compared to other brands?

Safety Considerations

Safety is always a priority in reloading. Has anyone faced any issues when using these primers? I want to make sure I’m aware of any potential risks or concerns that come with using CCI 400s in my loads, especially given that I’m shooting an AR-15.

Loading Scenarios

If anyone has specific loading recipes they’ve tried that include CCI 400 primers, please share! I’d love to know:

  • Powder Types: What powders are best paired with these primers?
  • Bullet Weights: Do they work well with various bullet weights for .223?

Final Thoughts

I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s tips and experiences! It seems like there’s a lot to learn, and I’d love to get some insights before I make my purchases and start reloading. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

Looking forward to your replies!

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I’ve been using CCI 400 primers for my .223 reloads for a while now. They have a reputation for being reliable and consistent. Just make sure to check your seating depth as they can be a bit sensitive.

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Great to hear! How do they perform in terms of accuracy? I’m looking for something reliable.

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I’ve found that the CCI 400 primers can be very consistent, especially when paired with certain powders like Varget or H335. They seem to work well in my AR-15 setup.

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Thanks for the powder tip! I’ll definitely give those a shot.

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Be mindful of the temperatures when using CCI 400 primers. They can be a little sensitive to heat, which might affect your ignition consistency during hot weather.

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Good point, hectorjones! Keeping them in a cooler place could help maintain performance. Have you noticed a significant difference in performance with temperature changes?

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I haven’t had issues myself, but I’ve heard from others that they’ve had misfires in extreme heat. Always good to be safe with your components.

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That’s reassuring! I’m planning on a range day soon and want to avoid surprises.

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If you use lighter bullets, the CCI 400 can really shine. I had better velocities with 55-grain bullets compared to the 62-grain. Definitely worth experimenting.

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Interesting, ocameron! I usually stick to heavier bullets. How much of a velocity difference are we talking about?

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I saw anywhere from 50 to 100 fps difference, depending on the load. It made a noticeable impact on accuracy for me!

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That’s quite a range! I might have to try that with my next batch. Any powder recommendations?

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I would say try either Benchmark or IMR 4895. They both have good burn rates for .223 and pair nicely with CCI 400 primers.

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As a side note, I’ve also heard some folks joke that the CCI 400s can sometimes be a ‘difficult date’ when it comes to consistent ignition. It’s true: a little finicky but worth the effort!

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I recently started using CCI 400 primers for my .223 loads, and I’ve had great results! They seem to ignite powder very reliably. I’m using Varget powder with 55-grain FMJ bullets. Has anyone else experimented with different powders?

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I find that XBR 8208 works really well too! It meters perfectly and is consistent. You might want to try it for your .223 loads.

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I’ve used CCI 400s with different projectile types as well. Soft point (SP) bullets are great for hunting. Just watch your overall length—it can affect chambering.

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Very true! I’ve had some issues with longer projectiles and my chamber. What’s the best overall length for CCI 400 with 55-grain, in your experience?

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If you’re using 55-grain, I recommend starting around 2.240 inches. It usually feeds well in most AR-15s.

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