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

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.