Primer compatibility

[Kevin]

I find myself reloading mostly for pistol calibers. I started out reloading for rifle but don't anymore for whatever reason. I mostly shoot pistols nowadays.

So; I have a thousand or so large rifle primers, maybe 2 thousand... Can I use these in my 41 magnum or 45 Colt as a large pistol primer?

I thought I just read about this someplace. This question probably comes about because of the mixing powder thread. I haven't tried experimenting with different primers yet, but what is the general consensus? I don't want to sell them and have to deal with shipping. I guess I could advertise at my gun range, someone might want them.

 

[okie44]

Just trade them for pistol primers. The primer pocket on rifle brass is cut deeper to accommodate the taller rifle primer. If you tried to use them in the pistol brass, they would stand a bit proud.

Edit to add........

Sounds like a good excuse to buy a S&W 500 Mag. They will work for that! :mrgreen:

 

[Kevin]

thanks. I guess that's what I'll do, trade, not buy the S&W 500... I've got 2k of Remington 9 1/2 Large Rifle Primers... not a huge amount of money but enough to buy some primers I'll use.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Just put those two boxes of primers aside because when the SHTF you will be able to use them like cash after the 22's run out. :mrgreen:

 

[welder]

Just put those two boxes of primers aside because when the SHTF you will be able to use them like cash after the 22's run out. :mrgreen:

+1.

 

[Ka6otm]

Just trade them for pistol primers. The primer pocket on rifle brass is cut deeper to accommodate the taller rifle primer. If you tried to use them in the pistol brass, they would stand a bit proud.

Yes, and they'll quite possibly tie up your revolver cylinders because of that.

 

[mikld]

Large Rifle primers are about .008" taller than Large Pistol Primers...

 

[Rick Courtright]

If I can be forgiven a tangential question about primers, does anyone load 357 magnums with small pistol primers or do you always recommend small pistol magnum primers?

Is there any real benefit to using magnum primers? Won't the standard ones ignite the powder just fine?

Hi,

Depends on the load, Titan: my two most used powders in the .357 Mag are Unique (for lighter loads, especially with cast bullets, perhaps quite like what you're looking for with ".38 Spl recoil") and 296 for full house cast or jacketed loads. Standard small pistol primers generally work for those light ones, particularly in combination with a medium to firm crimp; small pistol magnums, together with a nice firm crimp, are required for reliable ignition under all conditions with the 296 (or its "twin"--arguably identical, but fraternal for sure--H-110) in my experience. Both of those powders are a bit harder to ignite than most. The loading manuals are usually a good guide for which primer's the best choice, and that's where I'm gonna point you for now, but with time and experience (keep that log book of all the stuff you've loaded, together with comments and observations, up to date!), you will most likely find "off book" substitutions that work fine, at least in YOUR gun, as they like to say!

Rick C

 

[Jimbo357mag]

If I can be forgiven a tangential question about primers, does anyone load 357 magnums with small pistol primers or do you always recommend small pistol magnum primers?

Is there any real benefit to using magnum primers? Won't the standard ones ignite the powder just fine?

I'm curious especially in the case of loading 357 cases for 38 special type felt recoil.

...for what it is worth. I only shoot Winchester WSP (regular small pistol) primers in my 38's and 357mag loads. There are only a few formulas that suggest/require the magnum primers and I have noticed no ill effects using the standard primers. There may be some slight reduction in velocity but it has not been noticeable. I also do not shoot in very cold weather were Mag primers might be necessary.

I do not ever substitute Mag primers for standard primers. That might increase pressure.