CCI, Speer Announce Lead-Free Catalyst Primer Production In U.S.

by
posted on December 13, 2022
Primers

Speer and CCI Ammunition announced the implementation and production of market-leading Catalyst lead-free priming technology in their Lewiston, Idaho, facility earlier this week. The proprietary Catalyst primer was initially developed by Speer and CCI’s partner company, Federal Ammunition, in exhaustive research and testing that began in 2016.

“We are extremely proud of this new production capability, which continues the rollout of an incredible primer technology,” said Federal, CCI and Speer President Jason Vanderbrink. “This product has proven to be the best in its class after nearly seven years of continuous production. Its consistent performance has been tested over hundreds of millions of rounds. Most notably, the product is featured in Federal’s innovative Syntech Range ammo and American Eagle Lead-Free.”

The extremely clean-burning Catalyst primer creates more uniform and complete propellant combustion, yielding minimal velocity variation and consistent bullet launch for improved accuracy. It is also non-hydrophilic, so it does not attract water molecules like DDNP-based mixes found in most lead-free primers, resulting in better reliability.

“Catalyst lead-free priming technology provides the cleanest, most consistent ignition possible. We are excited that our Lewiston plant is now set up to run Catalyst priming in our target pistol products,” said Speer and CCI's Director of Factory Operations Mike Overberg. “The Anoka facility has proven this to be the best lead-free priming technology available. Our staff here has done a fantastic job of working across factories to extend this product into Speer and CCI Blazer ammunition products made in Lewiston, Idaho.”

As for the reduction in fouling, when Aaron Carter reviewed Federal’s Syntech—with the primer technology—in 2016, he found it ran cleaner than the FMJs he pitted it against and reliable. “There were no failures to fire in more than 400 rounds expended,” he wrote. “Indeed, cleaning after using Syntech ammunition is an easy chore—exactly as touted.”

Today, Federal has expanded offerings to include Syntech Action Pistol, Syntech PCC (Pistol-Caliber Carbine), Syntech Range, Syntech Training Match and Syntech Defense.

Latest

KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 Folding PCC
KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 Folding PCC

Wringing Out The KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 Folding PCC

With a rotating fore-end assembly, Kellgren's latest SUB2000 positively advances the design yet retains the classic appeal of the brand's legendary pistol-caliber carbine.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 4, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Suppressor Sales Setting Records

Nearly 2.2 million suppressors were purchased by law-abiding citizens from May 2021 through July 2024, according to figures compiled by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Preview: Underdog Glasses

Sunglasses are often misplaced, forgotten and lost, so Underdog resolves such dilemmas with its clip-on lenses.

New For 2024: Century Arms BFT74 & BFT556

Century Arms expanded its AK-style BFT rifle line in 2024 with two new models chambered for 5.56 NATO and 5.45x39 mm, respectively.

Preview: Armaspec SRS AR-15 Kit

This Armaspec upgrade to the AR-15’s standard buffer and spring includes a trio of interchangeable buffer weights that allow the user to tune it to his or her rifle/load.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.