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  #1  
Old 12-19-2010, 11:38 AM
guntherapist guntherapist is offline
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Default Using regular primers in magnum rounds?

I used to think that since I was reloading .357 Magnum ammo that I had to use Magnum primers, per the manuals.
But is it fine to use regular small pistol primers in .357 rounds?
Maybe with a faster powder?
Being real cold outside nowadays may require the magnum primer?
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Old 12-19-2010, 12:03 PM
TexasRebel TexasRebel is offline
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I've been doing it for over twenty years of reloading. I've never used a magnum primer in a pistol load. I guess it all depends on what type of a load you want and the brand of powder you use. I have since day 1 used Unique because it works well in all my guns. There are better powders out there, but this one covers all my pistol loads

I use the same powder and primers for defense and practice loads. I just adjust the powder charge for what I want to do with the round.

Best of Luck

Last edited by TexasRebel; 12-19-2010 at 12:07 PM.
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Old 12-19-2010, 12:22 PM
Sully Sully is offline
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If you are loading to a specific "formula" use what the formula has called out. ( Hopefully) The person that developed the load ( or company for that matter) did enough research to be able to properly determine what primer is needed.

Using a "standard" primer where a magnun is REQUIRED can lead you down a path you dont want to start down.

BTW...ALL..repeat ALL of the .38 Specials Ive loaded AND the .357 Mag reloads called out a standard SMALL pistol primer. Im presently gearing up to do .44 Mag rounds and they call out for a "standard" LARGE pistol primer..??

Last edited by Sully; 12-19-2010 at 12:25 PM.
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  #4  
Old 12-19-2010, 01:11 PM
BoDog BoDog is offline
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The powder determines the primer, get a good manual (or ten) and follow their recomendation. A primer that is too hot can effect accuracy. Some powders are harder to ignite than others.
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Old 12-19-2010, 01:30 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Originally Posted by BoDog View Post
The powder determines the primer, get a good manual (or ten) and follow their recomendation. A primer that is too hot can effect accuracy. Some powders are harder to ignite than others.
+1. Couldn't have said that better myself, although in the past that hasn't stopped me from trying!
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Old 12-19-2010, 02:10 PM
James57 James57 is offline
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+2. It is the powder that decides primer use. Grain coating or non-coating, shape, size, etc. My experience anyway, James
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Old 12-19-2010, 03:04 PM
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Primer types are predicated on the burn rate of the powder that you are using.
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Old 12-20-2010, 09:21 PM
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I agree with using the type primer specified in the manual load. But also realize the primer may define where it IS NOT to be used. In this case Remington 1 1/2 primers.

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Old 12-21-2010, 08:46 PM
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I don't know if that's all that accurate about Remington primers. That just might be another one of those CYA lawyer notes.

I have use standard primers including Remington in .357 Magnum ammo loaded with 2400 powder over the years with no problems what-so-ever. I only use a Magnum primer when a Magnum primers is needed to insure proper ignition of a hard to ignite Ball Powder like W296/H110 or HS-6.
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  #10  
Old 12-21-2010, 10:12 PM
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I've used W296/H110 for over 25 years and use WSP and WLP exclusively, never use magnum primers and have absolutely no unburned powder or misfires. Extremely consistent.

Use the information in all the manuals you can find and experiment safely.
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Old 12-22-2010, 12:08 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I have limited use with Remington primers. The standard small pistol ones seemed a bit soft to me. I never used them in hot loads though.

Usually, and I am qualifying my statement because of 2400, I use the powder manufacturer's suggestion for the type of primer to use for their powder.

I have only done velocity tests with 2400. I can tell you this, my lot and firearms produce better consistency with 2400 and magnum primers. Now, that being said, I use the Winchester Large Pistol Primers that are rated for both standard and magnum loads. The only exception to that is when I use Wolfe Large Pistol Magnum Primers with it. I get the same consistency, low ES and SD with them as I do the Winchesters.

I have used Federal Large Pistol Primers with 2400 and had abysmal results. My ES went to the hundreds and SD was up around 50fps. As a point to note, my loads with 2400 are not what the Elmer Keith loads of yesteryear either. In the 44Mag, I am using current data.

FWIW
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Old 12-22-2010, 11:40 AM
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The issue was with Remington's small pistol primers, not other brands.
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Old 12-22-2010, 02:19 PM
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From my experience, it depends on the powder you are using. When I load up 357's with 158 grain lead bullets and Unique, it makes no discernible difference weather I use Magnum primers or Standard primers either in velocity or performance. HOWEVER, when I use Titegroup and the same lead 158 grain lead bullets, if I use Magnum primers I will get about 50 fps greater velocity over the same load with standard primers. These are actual Chronograph results, so all I can assume is that the Titegroup powder requires a hotter primer flash to fully ignite it. Because of this, if I am loading up mild 357's I'll usually use the Unique and use standard primers.



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Old 12-22-2010, 03:22 PM
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The term magnum can be a little misleading to some. Let's take the Federal 150 (standard) and the 155 (magnum) - the only difference is cup thickness. You'll play hell piercing the 150 at 50,000psi but if you're concerned then go with the 155.

The CCI350 is a hot primer and in some calibers loaded up max will produce spike pressures that may not be desired.

When John Linebaugh was performing his tests for loads in the 500 Linebaugh he found the WLP to give the best performance with lower spike pressures. The difference in spike pressure of the WLP from the CCI350 was very substantial.

Last edited by 7P's; 12-22-2010 at 03:28 PM.
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  #15  
Old 12-25-2010, 11:35 AM
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I never use Magnum primers unless specifically called for in the loading data.
Yes, I've experimented a bit, and for the most part, I find that standard pistol primers handle most canister powders, save the ball powders in magnum loadings.

Btw; that's some interesting information regarding the pressure differences created, when comparing WLP and CCI 350 primer use.
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Old 12-25-2010, 01:07 PM
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I have been using standard primers with my Magnum loads and never had any issues so far, either in my .41, .44, and .357 loads with the powders I use the most (2400 and Unique).
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Old 12-25-2010, 02:06 PM
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So is it safe to say that ball powders, in magnum rounds, would need a magnum primer more so that flake or stick/extruded powder????
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Old 12-25-2010, 06:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guntherapist View Post
So is it safe to say that ball powders, in magnum rounds, would need a magnum primer more so that flake or stick/extruded powder????
Yes.
The Speer manuals which I have, mostly specify magnum primers for Ball Powders when used in magnum doses.
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Old 12-25-2010, 07:05 PM
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I've used nothing but Standard primers for over 40 years. Used to use them with 2400; if you can ignite that cornmeal powder with standard primers you can ignite anything with them. Today it's AA9 for the Magnum rounds and still use standard primers.
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Old 12-25-2010, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7P's View Post
The term magnum can be a little misleading to some. Let's take the Federal 150 (standard) and the 155 (magnum) - the only difference is cup thickness. You'll play hell piercing the 150 at 50,000psi but if you're concerned then go with the 155.
Interesting. I had not heard this before. I have a 1000 Federal LP magnum primers on the shelf (from the panic days-only ones available) that I would like to use up in 45 ACP and 44 Special revolver loads.
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  #21  
Old 12-25-2010, 11:37 PM
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Been using CCI 300 primers on 44 MAG rounds and they have been working like a charm.
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Old 12-27-2010, 11:58 AM
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7P, so are you saying that the standard and magnum primers have the same amount of 'spark' in them?
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Old 12-27-2010, 12:02 PM
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I remember reload data for my .270 WIN called for using a magnum primer if, and only if, the temperature was to be below freezing while afield.
Though I have still always used CCI 200 LR with no ignition trouble.
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Old 12-27-2010, 05:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guntherapist View Post
7P, so are you saying that the standard and magnum primers have the same amount of 'spark' in them?
NO, flame volume and disbursement is different. This effects the initial ignition of the powder that can cause a minor pressure increase.
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