i need advice on primers

[JamesLoren]

Hi, I prepared some cases a while back, primed them ,and set them aside. I can not remember if i used cci small pistol, Or small pistol magnum primers? Is there a way to tell the diferance between the two by just looking? thanks

 

[powder smoke]

Magnum and Standard primers? Not that I know of, maybe someone else can help. If you are NOT loading near Maximum loads it may not make a difference. But if you are using a ball slower burning powder like 296 or 110 you'll want Magnum primers. ps

 

[contender]

Generally, no you can not tell by just looking at them. I'd assume they are magnums, and load a medium load in them and use them for plinking ammo.

 

[Rclark]

Next time... mark the box you store them in . Normally the storage boxes come with a 'label' to write this info on. As contender says, assume magnum and load a light/medium load in them.

 

[mikld]

Yep, assume they are magnum primers and load up a little lighter load than you had planned.

 

[eric conrad]

By my Lyman manual CCI is the ONLY mfg. that doesn't color code the foil under the anvil.
I make notes and leave the primer carton out so this is not a wonder.
Yes load like they are mag. primers. Eric

 

[pps]

Generally, no you can not tell by just looking at them. I'd assume they are magnums, and load a medium load in them and use them for plinking ammo.

+1

 

[gerryb158]

You could fire one of the unloaded primed cases in your gun pointed at the ground in front of you to see how large a crater is developed by the blast. Over ten feet across - it's a magnum primer. Gerry

 

[Amistad]

For what it's worth, I came into some Wolf Small Pistol Magnum primers not long ago. When I tried them, I backed my load down a bit. They fired OK. I then worked the charge weight back up to where it had been with Wolf Small Pistol primers. They fired fine. Actually, I could tell no difference between the primers...

Amistad

 

[e3mrk]

Isn't the back of the Case marked with the manufacturers name and Caliber?
All of Mine are.

 

[GP100man]

Not scientific by no means but ya can definitelytell the difference by taking a #2 pencil & pointing it straight up ,fire with a mag primer ,then a standard . Then see which 1 matches your mystery primers !!

I`ve personally not found alot of difference in power of the small primers until ya step up to small rifle .

Now the cups , there`s a big difference !!!
Different cups for different pressures .

Now , not to say small primers are interchangeable !!! There not.!!! Especially if your teetering on the edge of max pressures , but safe loads can be developed with any primer as long as the firearm can strike it hard enuff or does`nt peirce it .

Recommended ??? NO we have primer&powder companies that have done more R&D than we ever will !!!

Meandoring off now .

But I`ve done the same thing & used this method to determine the strength of the primers. Use standard safety gear !!! & do it outside !!!

Here`s a link to a test much more sophisticated than mine !
It`s mainly on rifle & LP primers but you`ll see a pattern develop if ya study it a bit !!

http://www.castingstuff.com/primer_testing_reference.htm