CCI 209 Shotshell Primers

Last reviewed: 2026-04-17 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, NRA-certified firearms instructor.

The CCI 209 shotshell primers are standard-height primers designed for 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and other shotshell platforms where consistent ignition matters. CCI builds these primers with modern non-corrosive and non-mercuric initiator compounds, so you get clean combustion without the residue that fouls firing pins or corrodes brass. Whether you’re loading light target loads or magnum waterfowl rounds, the 209 primer provides the spark you need without excessive pressure spikes. CCI has refined this primer over decades of production, optimizing sensitivity and seating depth to work with both manual and automated reloading equipment.

Built for the Box

Reloaders choose the CCI 209 for its balance of sensitivity and safety. The primer cup is formed from gilding metal, allowing it to seat flush in the primer pocket without deformation. The anvil geometry is engineered to produce consistent firing-pin strikes across a variety of shotgun actions—from break-actions to semi-autos. CCI tests each production lot for sensitivity, ensuring that the primer ignites reliably under the range of firing-pin energies found in modern shotguns. The non-mercuric formula eliminates heavy-metal contamination in your brass and keeps your gun cleaner over the long haul.

Specs at a Glance

Each case ships with 1000 primers, packed in trays that fit most progressive press primer tubes and single-stage hand-priming tools. Because primers are classified as hazardous materials, shipping incurs a HazMat fee and is subject to DOT regulations—verify your carrier’s requirements before ordering. For more reloading components, browse our full 209 primers selection.

Who It’s For

If you reload shotshells for trap, skeet, sporting clays, or waterfowl hunting, the CCI 209 is a workhorse primer. It ignites a wide range of powders—from fast-burning flake powders in 7/8-ounce target loads to slower ball powders in 1-1/4-ounce magnum loads. Reloaders running Mec, Hornady, or Lee progressive presses appreciate the uniform cup height, which feeds smoothly through primer tubes without jamming. Single-stage reloaders benefit from the same consistency, seating the primer to the correct depth with hand tools or bench-mounted presses.