Just got back from Wally World, where I picked up 2-50 rnd boxes of " 45 auto, 230gr fmj rn" made by Federal. I opened up a box to enjoy the shiny newness, when I noticed they are primed with small primers! Same SKU, identical box as the ones I bought last month (with Lg. primers). Any ideas why Fed. made the switch?

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NRA Life

Do they go bang when you pull the trigger or are you complaining in advance? I suspect they made the change to keep the cost down. It is, after all, range ammo.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Winchester loads its non-toxic 45 ammo with small pistol primers. I think it's because that don't have any non-toxic large pistol primers. Might be the same with Federal ot maybe that's what was available on this production run. They reload just a easy, just use small primers and segregate them from the other brass. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the small primer become the standard in the 45ACP. It doesn't take a large primer to light up less than 8 grains of powder and they should be cheaper since they use less material to make. Bob!

That explains why I've been seeing more threads about 45 acp with small primers. I figured it was Wally World ammo. Good thing I have enough 45 brass with the correct primer pocket to last me a long time.

If a man asks a question, why is he accused of complaining?

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DEM

I guess you didn't notice the "angry face" emotive. If he didn't want to relay his displeasure, he wouldn't (or shouldn't) have used it.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Thank you for your wisdom?

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DEM

Ive purchased WW White Box target ammo (45 ACP..230 FMJ) and have had BOTH sized primers ( NOT in the same box though...in fact they didnt even come out of the same case because I watched the man take them out). Now WHY WW decided to do that is beyond me...but at least here you can buy White Box target ammo and its a toss up which primer it will have

According to Federal's "ask the expert", the switch was made to " provide the same price affective load for the consumer". Only smiley face emotocons for me in the future. I apologize for any discomfort. .

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NRA Life

I've encountered .38 Special brass with a large primer. Not recently, though. This was old stuff.

Disagree, somewhat. I emailed the following response to Federal's use of SP primers in the .45 ACP, and intend contacting Winchester with the same concern:

Let me be the first to 'recommend' that Federal rethink that idea! There are millions in the reloading fraternity using .45 ACP brass. The .45 ACP has always had a large primer pocket.

Major manufacturers contaminating available, reloadable, brass with a variation that would require another segregation operation can not be welcomed by the shooting public. Try a little separation exercise looking at .45 brass with different primer pockets, you will be cross-eyed in short order! Having to set up a progressive reloading machine for different primer pockets in the same caliber is not just time consuming, but ridiculous.

Your claim of concern for the cost to consumers is interesting. I like Federal and Winchester brand ammo, or have liked it in the past! With the possible, imminent, demise of the 45 GAP round, or the certain reduced demand for it, I think the bean counters came up with the idea to load all those extra SP primer GAP brass as .45 ACP stuff. Again, NOT a good idea, only a good idea for the manufacturers bottom line!

If you want to reduce the cost to the "consumer," load all the SP primers into non-reloadable cases like CCI or the Russian stuff. That way, you only add to the contamination of the planet not our reloading process! Throw away Russian .45 ACP, steel cased, ammo is available for just over $12 a box of 50! Federal's Champion SP .45 ACP ammo is so close in price to the LP primer stuff (the same or more, in many stores) as to be laughable as an idea to "help consumers."

[/QUOTE]....Any ideas why Fed. made the switch?[/QUOTE]

My reply to Federal was based on their comment of having concern for holding down the price of ammo for the consumer.

After contacting Winchester, I think they probably have it right. The switch to SP primers is intended for ammo designed primarily for indoor ranges and was attributed to concern for air-born lead contamination. Therefore the term non-toxic primers, lead free, 'green,' etc. This actually has been going on for some ten years, with all manufacturers contributing. Shows how long it has been since I did much .45 reloading.

I questioned why they could not make non-toxic LP primers and the tech went through some expanded explanation that seemed a bit contrived, but what do I know. Claimed they even tried expanding the flash hole when using the LP primers, but there was still some problem that did not exist when using the SP primers?

As he stated, it is what it is, and you are 'forced' to do the primer pocket separation with any caliber ammo loaded for use indoors. Probably need to thank some tree hugging bunch, or Al Gore They might have thought this 'regulation'(?) would put indoor ranges out of business.

Logistically, wouldn't it be better if they just went to one or the other for as much pistol brass as possible?

I just wish they'd make up there minds.

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