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Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 8 Location: Alpine, Arizona

I started reloading shotgun shells about 50 years ago, 12 and 20 gauge. I have shot 16 gauge guns off and on for over 50 years but have just started to reload 16 gauge after purchasing three 16 gauge guns over the past few years.
I have a thousand primers from many years ago marked Remington No.209 Primer in green and orange boxes. I must have bought them to reload 12 and 20 back in the day. I see load data listed on this site and the spreadsheets from the Low Pressure Group calling for Remington 209P and R209. Are my old primers what is referred to as R209.
I am specifically interested in load data from Mike Campbell posted August 13, 2010 for RGL hull, DR16 wad, 15.5 grains green dot with R209 primer. Do I have the correct primer?

Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 8 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Wow, 24 views and no replies. How about this way;
Are Remington No. 209 Primers in green and orange box referred to as R209 primers in credible reloading data?

Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

From DL Marcum on the Shotgunworld reloading forum. . . I am just quoting as I don't know the answer myself:

"The Rem 209P and the 209 STS are the same primer, biggest change is in the box they come in.

The plain 209, (long since discontinued), was a much hotter primer than the current primers, and must be loaded differently. The good thing is that these older primers are now mostly gone, used up, and don't present a problem for most of the reloaders today."

Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 8 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Thank you for your reply. I am assuming now that these are the older 209 primers. I see load data listed for R209, 209P and 209 STS so I am still confused.

Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 126 Location: Duluth, MN

The 209P and 209 STS are interchangeable. When they just say R209, I am not so sure. I am guessing those are the older, hotter primers, but that could be wrong . . . Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 8 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Thank you Mike. Would you agree that the old box of primers I have are likely the older Remington 209 primer that are no longer made?
I will likely make a substitution with a Win 209 or Fed 209A.

Joined: 25 Aug 2014 Posts: 286 Location: Finger Lakes

I would call Remington. They should know.

Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 8 Location: Alpine, Arizona

Thank you all for your replies. I will contact Remington about the primers. I would like to use them in reloads with sound data. I will always consider your disclaimers before asking more questions.
I really appreciate this site and the members that contribute their knowledge, free of charge and I do understand the concern you all have with sharing load data and information. The 16 GA Society and all the members that share the knowledge is why I am shooting 16 gauge shotguns again.
Thanks again.

I would consider them the "hot" R-P primer and use them. I would use them in the old data. That way, if they are equivalent to the 209P/STS, you'll have a little less velocity and pressure.

[quote="Oldminer"]"...I see load data listed on this site and the spreadsheets from the Low Pressure Group calling for Remington 209P and R209. Are my old primers what is referred to as R209. I am specifically interested in load data from Mike Campbell posted August 13, 2010 for RGL hull, DR16 wad, 15.5 grains green dot with R209 primer. Do I have the correct primer?"

Please be advised. I have a few 1000 count bricks of Remington 209P primers still packed in their original orange and green tagboard cartons and sleeves. They are clearly marked 209P on the sides of the cartons and sleeves. They were first offered by Dupont in the early 1990's for use in the then new Premier target hulls. Best not go by the sleeve colors to identify your primers. Best go by the designation printed on the sides of the sleeves.

To the best of my memory, the Remington R209 primers you refer to were manufactured in the 1980's and were the first 209 size primers offered by Dupont as a reloading component after the smaller diameter 57 size primers were discontinued. They are a bit hotter than the present 209 STS primers but are not considered to be a magnum strength primer. They are probably similar to older WW209 primers in strength but not an exact match.

15.5 grains of Green Dot is a fairly mild powder charge for 3/4 and 7/8 once loads in an RGL hull w/ the DR16 wad. I think Mike Campbell uses a Federal 209A primer in his loads which is a very robust one. I think it is safe to assume the old R209 primers will work just fine here and for any mild to moderate pressure recreational and practice load.

I'd be more concerned about the condition of these old primers. They should be okay as long as they have been continually stored in a cool dry area. I have used well stored primers which have been over 30 years old w/o any problems. But exposure to moisture and heat ruin primers. If so, then expect failures to fire and squib loads.

I suggest you seat and test fire a 1/2 dozen or more of these old primers in some of your empty RGL hulls to see how well they fit the primer pockets and how reliable they are before you use them to reload a batch of shells. Doing so will kill two birds with one stone. Good luck.