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Old 03-26-2011, 11:16 PM
baxtersmith baxtersmith is offline
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Default Substituting Magnum Primers

I've been loading .357 Magnums with 13.5 Grains AAC-9 and 158 Gr Hornady XTP (jacketed). I've been using Federal 100 primers but a have about 500 CCI magnum primers I'd like to use up. Is there any problem in substituting them for regular primers in a load like this? I've never really been clear on the difference magnum primers make.
Thanks.
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Old 03-26-2011, 11:42 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
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Hi, we just had this discussion not too long ago. Reduce your load and work your way back up to a safe level. Primers vary from brand to brand and this is a safe practice whenever you make any switch.

magnum primers?
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Old 03-27-2011, 01:00 AM
Steve C Steve C is offline
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In the current Accurate data 13.8 grs of AA#9 is listed as the maximum load using Hornady 158gr XTP and WSPM primers. It is assumed that you worked up to this load from the start level of 12.4gr and didn't just pick it as being an appropriate or safe load.

Magnum primers use more priming compound so they burn a little longer. They're used to help ignite hard to burn ball powders or for use in cold temperatures. As with any change of components you should always reduce back to the start load and work back up looking for pressure signs and best accuracy.
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Old 03-27-2011, 03:12 AM
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Even though AA#9 is a ball powder it's not usually associated with the need for a magnum primer. If you do decide to use them work up your load again like said above.
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Old 03-27-2011, 03:00 PM
alwslate alwslate is offline
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I'll have to tell you what I would do. If your load is below the maximum
charge listed in the manual using a magnum primer and you are using
a strong gun I would use the magnum primers you have without a
second thought. If you can see a difference in pressure signs in your
fired cases between loads of 12.4 and 13.5 grs your eyesight is
probably a lot better than mine. Just my opinion. I think most manuals
err on the side of caution today.
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Old 03-27-2011, 05:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alwslate View Post
I'll have to tell you what I would do. If your load is below the maximum charge listed in the manual using a magnum primer and you are using a strong gun I would use the magnum primers you have without a second thought. If you can see a difference in pressure signs in your fired cases between loads of 12.4 and 13.5 grs your eyesight is probably a lot better than mine. Just my opinion. I think most manuals err on the side of caution today.
You say they err on the side of caution? That's the understatement of the century!! LOL Yes they do.

This topic and several others really should be a sticky since they usually come up at least once a week. I agree with what you said but I'm getting so tired of telling the story that magnum primers are not that much hotter than standard ones I've given up and I now just say work your way up.
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Old 03-27-2011, 09:10 PM
baxtersmith baxtersmith is offline
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Thanks everybody for your help. I didn't realize this was such a common question...I guess I should have searched before I posted.
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Old 03-27-2011, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by baxtersmith View Post
Thanks everybody for your help. I didn't realize this was such a common question...I guess I should have searched before I posted.
My comment about the frequency of this question has nothing to do with you or your post. Please don't ever be afraid to ask a question, that's how you learn. There are a lot of people on this forum that enjoy helping out new reloaders including myself.

Welcome to reloading but I have to warn you, it's highly addictive and there's no cure!
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Old 03-27-2011, 09:17 PM
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Thanks ArchAngelCD. I've learned so much on this forum...people are very generous with their help.
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Old 04-02-2011, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
My comment about the frequency of this question has nothing to do with you or your post. Please don't ever be afraid to ask a question, that's how you learn. There are a lot of people on this forum that enjoy helping out new reloaders including myself.

Welcome to reloading but I have to warn you, it's highly addictive and there's no cure!
Absolutely If you really think about it, there is probably not a question that has not been asked and answered on this or any other forum regardless of the topic or subject matter. So ask away!.

On another forum I asked a question about comaring some rifles and some Dillweed read me the riot act about not using the search (which I had) If you do not word your search exactly the right way it will pull up nothing or so much you do not know where to start.

I agree about sticky's. This forum does not have enough of them in any category compared to some others. I know Lee has tried to get them going with the Notable threads section which is a great start.

Now if I can just find out if I can use +P ammo in my 38???.
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Old 04-03-2011, 12:43 AM
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A lot of people don't seem to think there's much difference between magnum and standard primers. You'll notice here the small pistol magnum has more energy than a small rifle magnum primer.

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