Federal Large Magnum Rifle Primers – Champion No. 215

Federal Large Magnum Rifle Primers – Champion No. 215

Basic Specifications

• Brand: Federal Ammunition

• Line: Champion

• Primer Number: 215

• Type: Large Rifle Magnum Primer

• Size: Large Rifle

• Product Name: Federal Champion No. 215

• Packaging: Commonly sold in boxes of 100, 1,000, or 5,000 primers

• Made in: USA

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Key Features

1. Magnum Primer Power

• Designed to deliver hotter and more robust ignition.

• Intended for large-capacity rifle cases and/or powders that are hard to ignite (especially ball/spherical powders).

• Offers a strong flame to ensure uniform ignition in cold temperatures or with slow-burning propellants.

2. Reliable Ignition

• Manufactured with Federal’s lead styphnate priming mix, known for consistent performance.

• Designed to reliably ignite under extreme temperature and pressure conditions.

3. General-Purpose Magnum Use

• Suited for high-performance hunting and long-range shooting applications.

• Not match-grade (unlike GM215M), but still considered very reliable for hunting and general accuracy loads.

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Applications

The Federal 215 primer is ideal for large rifle cartridges requiring a magnum primer, including:

• .300 Winchester Magnum

• .338 Lapua Magnum

• .300 Weatherby Magnum

• .30-378 Weatherby

• .338 Remington Ultra Magnum

• .45-70 Government (heavy loads with slow powder)

• .375 H&H Magnum

• Other large-capacity cases and magnum loads

Note: Not suitable for standard large rifle loads unless magnum ignition is specified.

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Use Case Scenarios

• Hunting: For big game cartridges where reliable ignition in all weather conditions is critical.

• Cold Weather Shooting: Performs well in subzero environments where standard primers may fail to ignite slower powders.

• Heavy Charge Loads: Ensures proper ignition of compressed or slow-burning powder charges.

• Long Range Shooting (non-match): Popular for those who do not require match primers but still want strong, consistent performance.

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Federal 215 vs Federal GM215M (Match Version)

Federal 215 is more than sufficient for hunting and general magnum use, while the GM215M is preferred for benchrest or long-range match shooters.

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Loading Considerations

• Primer Pocket Size: Requires large rifle primer pockets.

• Pressure Sensitivity: Hotter ignition may slightly increase pressure in some loads. Always consult current load data.

• Seating: Must be fully and properly seated to avoid misfires or inconsistent ignition. Use quality priming tools.

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Availability and Storage

• Availability: Common and widely distributed. Easier to find than match primers in many regions.

• Storage: Store in a cool, dry, stable environment away from static, moisture, or direct sunlight.

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User Reviews and Reputation

• Highly regarded in the hunting and general reloading community.

• Praised for:

  • Reliable ignition

  • Cold-weather performance

  • Affordability compared to match-grade primers

• Criticized occasionally for:

  • Slightly larger SD/ES (standard deviation/extreme spread) compared to match primers, but acceptable for most applications

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Safety Notes

• Never substitute magnum primers in loads not designed for them without reducing the charge and working up slowly.

• Always follow reliable and recent reloading manuals or published data.

• Do not mix different primer lots or brands in the same load workup.

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Alternate or Related Primers

• Federal GM215M – Match-grade version

• CCI 250 – Large Rifle Magnum Primer

• Winchester WLRM – Winchester Large Rifle Magnum

• Remington 9½M – Magnum Large Rifle Primer