A system for bulk network transmissions using multiple connections primed to optimize transfer parameters includes one or more processors and memory coupled to the processors. The memory stores program instructions executable by the processors to establish a plurality of network connections designated to be used for a single bulk data transfer. The instructions are further executable to adjust the values of one or more configuration parameters of each of the connections. The adjusting includes sending one or more priming packets over each of the connections. The instructions are also executable to perform the bulk transfer as a sequence of sub-transfers. Each sub-transfer includes a transmission of a predetermined amount of application data over each connection of a selected subset of the plurality of network connections.