working up a load for a recent acquisition, using Nosler book..calls for Fed. 210 primers, Waters book-winchester
every thing equal, even waited till barrel cooled to do the 2nd test, the group shrunk .25 using win. primers.
so how do you all choose primers?

I've found that it's one of the less influential variables in my loads. I basically pick a primer with an appropriate "hardness" and consistency for what I want to do, then stick with it as I fiddle with everything else like powder charge, and seating depth.

I just use CCI BR's of the appropriate size.

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'm certain that Winchester, Federal, etc are all excellent products. But I learned long ago that the more simple I got the better off I was. CCI benchrest primers for everything I load.

thanks for the info

Primers can have a difference, but it's generally minor. I also select a primer based on standard or magnum, and how thick the primer cup is. For example, I will not use a Fed 205 in a 6.5x47 Lapua round. The 205's will have a pierced primer very easily since they are not that thick. If you bunp up to a CCI #450 or #41, the primer cup is much more thick, and will help prevent this. Same for large rifle.

Also, a CCI #250 Magnum primer is an in between primer. It is hotter than a standard primer, but not as hot as a Federal 215 or Rem 9 1/2 magnum primer. The Federal 215 and Rem 9 1/2 magnum primer are the 2 hottest magnum primers, and are needed for your larger case volume rounds (80+ grains of powder). I had some bad hang fires in some 338 Lapua ammo with the CCI #250's.

My favorite primer is fed 215's.
I cannot find any of these primers.
You will need to match to case capacity, primers and powder as needed for maximum proformance.

Had no issues using CCI 250's in a 338 Norma loaded with 91 grs of h1000. I usually choose my primers by what's in stock and what I can get 1k-3k of at one time. I will not use rem lrg rifle primers in a bolt gun ever again.

I only use CCI BR in Non magnum cases.. I use the cci magnum primer in magnums never had a issue with CCI primers.

thanks for all input

I prefer wolf and tula but they are now unobtanium i guess. I have had great luck with winchester small rifle as well.

For the most part I use Rem primers and been happy for the most part.

Not that I am an expert, but I have used a good variety of brands. I have concluded that Winchester seems to be consistent and reliable. I have yet (knock on) to have a failure to ignite with Winchester primers. For what its worth I seem to get a bit better accuracy also. I have only used Federal a very few times so I really can't comment on them.

Midway has Winchester large rifle magnum primers in Stock.
Are there any one using these, please comment if you have.
I have used Winchester large rifle with good success.

Not scientific, but I use CCI for everything for simplicity. All my loads are worked around this.

I began to use Federal primers almost exclusively after I began to notice that Federal ammo seemed to VERY frequently turn in the best accuracy when I read reviews on various rifles in the gun rags where factory ammo was used. That was years ago, though, and I haven't read the gun rags in a long, long time. I guess that qualifies my practice as "a habit." The last time I picked up a rifle for a belted magnum, though, I figured I'd go ahead and use some Winchester LRM primers I happened to have on hand...then after I finished load development I decided to see if CCI LRMs would provide a pleasant surprise---and they did not. Could I have redeveloped the load using CCIs and gotten better accuracy?? Maybe. I didn't care to pursue it, though. My .264 shoots plenty good using the Winchesters.

Interestingly enough, some of the most accurate .222 and .223 loads I've ever come up with used Wolf primers. The problem was that I would have a FTF once in a while so I ditched them. Back to Federals, and they work fine...but the Wolf-primed loads still hold my personal records.

I've yet to see a primer change make a dramatic change in accuracy one way or another, but just because I've never seen it does not mean it cannot happen.