PRIMERS

Reloading primers are the spark of every handloaded cartridge — the small but critical component that ignites the powder charge and starts everything in motion. Choosing the right primer for your cartridge is fundamental to safe, consistent reloading, and using the wrong type can mean misfires, poor accuracy, or dangerous pressure. This page covers the primer types, how to choose, and how to buy and store them safely. Pair them with quality powder, brass, and bullets for complete loads.

Tatted Tacticals stocks reloading primers from CCI, Federal, Winchester, and Remington — pistol, rifle, magnum, and shotshell primers in standard and match grades, sold in boxes and bricks.

Primer Types and Sizes

Primers come in distinct types, and they are not interchangeable across categories.

Within these, magnum variants burn hotter for large cases, ball powders, and cold weather, and match grades offer tighter consistency. Crucially, small pistol and small rifle primers share a diameter but are not interchangeable — rifle primers have thicker, harder cups for higher pressures. Always use the exact primer your load data specifies. Browse our small pistol, large pistol, small rifle, large rifle, and 209 primers.

Boxer vs. Berdan

Most reloadable brass uses Boxer primers — a single central flash hole that’s easy to deprime and reload. Berdan primers, common in older European and military-surplus ammo, use two offset flash holes and are impractical to reload. For handloading, stick with Boxer-primed brass. Standards follow SAAMI specifications, and the maker CCI publishes primer selection guidance.

Buying and Storing Primers

Primers ship as a hazardous material, adding a hazmat fee per order, so buying in bricks of 1,000 or more spreads that cost. Store them in their original packaging in a cool, dry place, away from heat, flame, and — importantly — stored separately from powder. Never force a primer or use one that’s damaged. Review our shipping rules and state restrictions, as some areas limit primer shipment or quantity.

Reloading Primers — Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter what primer you use for reloading?

Yes, very much. Primer type must match your cartridge — small or large, pistol or rifle — and you should use the type your load data specifies. Substituting standard for magnum, or pistol for rifle, changes ignition and pressure, affecting safety and accuracy. Small pistol and small rifle primers are especially not interchangeable despite sharing a diameter. Always follow published load data for primer selection.

What is the best primer for reloading?

The best primer is the correct type for your cartridge from a quality maker like CCI, Federal, or Winchester — matched to your load data. For precision, match-grade primers like CCI BR or Federal Gold Medal offer tighter consistency. There’s no universal “best”; it’s about using the right type and a reputable brand, then testing what gives the best results in your specific load.

Can you interchange small pistol and small rifle primers?

No. Although they share the same diameter, small rifle primers have thicker, harder cups designed for higher rifle pressures, while small pistol primers are softer for reliable handgun ignition. Substituting them can cause misfires or unsafe pressures. Always use the exact primer type — small pistol or small rifle — that your load data specifies for the cartridge you’re loading.

What is a magnum primer for?

Magnum primers produce a hotter, longer-duration spark to reliably ignite large powder charges, ball (spherical) powders, and loads fired in cold weather. They’re used in magnum cartridges and some loads where standard primers may ignite inconsistently. Use them only when your load data calls for them — substituting magnum for standard primers changes pressure and should follow published recipes.

Can you buy reloading primers online?

Yes, in most areas, though primers ship as hazardous material with a hazmat fee and ground-only delivery, and some states or localities restrict them. Buying in bricks spreads the hazmat cost across more primers. Confirm shipping eligibility to your address before ordering, and always store primers safely in their original packaging away from heat and powder.