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09-06-2011, 11:29 AM
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Magnum and Regular Primers
Can someone summarize the chemical/performance differences of these primer types? Is there a problem in using magnum small pistol primers in cartridges such as the 38 special ?
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09-06-2011, 11:32 AM
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You may want to buy and read the "ABC's of reloading" before asking about that. It's a pretty big deal.
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09-06-2011, 02:31 PM
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IF...you start your loads at safe levels you can use magnum primers in lower and standard velocity loads safely.
One should never swap out ANY components in a load that is a maximum type load. Start lower, swap components, and then work back up.
I use strictly CCI magnum handgun primers in all of my handgun loads and have done so since the late 1980's. Simply because I want only one primer for all loads and don't want to find a need for primers on Sunday night when the gunshops are closed.
As far as accuracy is concerned, I do not know if a standard versus a magnum load will change accuracy when all other factors in the load are constant and shot in the same handgun. But, I suspect, on my limited experience it will not make that much difference to the average shooter.
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09-06-2011, 02:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southampton
Can someone summarize the chemical/performance differences of these primer types? Is there a problem in using magnum small pistol primers in cartridges such as the 38 special ?
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Yes there is a problem in that if the recipe doesn't call for it, then don't use them.
A magnum primer delivers more ignition there by changing the whole "explosion" in the case which will increase your pressure and the cartridge will blow up and you will be injured or die.
How's that??
Yes, some people use them but if you do not have to and it does not call for them why make life difficult??
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09-08-2011, 01:26 PM
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In life it's really not really necessary to continue to try to always Reinvent the WHEEL, it's always the best policy to follow the proven directions of the powder manufactures for specific caliber loads and limits. You should also DOUBLE CHECK their info in other reloading manuals to guard against misprints that sometimes occur.
In the olden days when Elmer Keith continually pushed the envelope of load developement, he also blew up a lot of stuff. NUFF SAID about that.
The best road is to always pay strict attention to procedures and things, especially when dealing with explosives.
Safety First, and FOLLOW THE RECIPE.
Have a good day.
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09-08-2011, 09:46 PM
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Moderator SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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There are some who think magnum primers will blow up your gun because they are so much more powerful, not true. Magnum primers will burn a little longer and a little hotter to insure proper ignition of hard to ignite slow ball powders like H110/W296, HS-6 and HS-7. The pressure and velocity increase caused by using a magnum primer over a standard primer is minimal. Of course you shouldn't substitute a magnum primer in place of a standard primer in a load that's right up at the Max charge levels but in that case you shouldn't substitute any component without dropping back and working back up again.
I have shot ammo made with the same exact components and powder charge weights using CCI500 and a CCI550 primers and saw little if and increase in average velocities. (not a Max powder charge load) On the other hand, I have used magnum primers with 2400 and gotten worse accuracy than when I used a standard primer so it does matter what primers you use, well, for me at least.
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09-08-2011, 09:54 PM
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For some reason this thread has made the Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry pop into my head...
So what are you going to do buddy,
these are magnum primers,
the most powerful primers in the world,
one misstep and they will blow your hand clean off...
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09-08-2011, 10:34 PM
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We use 3.7 gr. of Clays behind a Remington 125 gr JHP bullet for loading 38 spl. This yields an Oehler chronograph speed of 825 f/s from a S&W Model 14. I purchased 5000 magnum primers from a guy who stopped reloading and tried them with our load. We found the magnum primers increased the velocity by 18 f/s. Therefore, our experience with standard vs. magnum primers was measurable; however, minimal.
Note: Your results may be very different with other powders, bullets and calibers.
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09-09-2011, 01:32 AM
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As already mentioned I also use magnum primers in low end reloads, including .357 magnum/.38+P, and .44 magnum/.44 Spl. In essence I figure the magnum primer pretty equivilent to about .2 grains of powder (I use Alliant Unique and 2400). I've not experienced any problems.
However as also mentioned it is not a good idea to change any component in a load. It is also not good to start any higher than the low loading, and then work up from there.
As a side note: a few years ago Alliant had different loadings, powders, etc on their web site. Some of the .357 magnum loadings were with magnum primers. I emailed Alliant and asked why the magnum primers. As I recall the response was essentially because that was what they had on the shelf the day they did the testing. I have not been too excited about using magnum primers since and have simply avoided maximum loads.
Good luck with your loading experience.
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Hook686
Last edited by Hook686; 09-09-2011 at 11:26 AM.
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