Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-06-2011, 11:29 AM
Southampton Southampton is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default 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 ?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-06-2011, 11:32 AM
Maximumbob54's Avatar
Maximumbob54 Maximumbob54 is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 9,079
Liked 1,921 Times in 1,043 Posts
Default

You may want to buy and read the "ABC's of reloading" before asking about that. It's a pretty big deal.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-06-2011, 02:31 PM
semperfi71's Avatar
semperfi71 semperfi71 is offline
US Veteran
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central New Mexico
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 1,179
Liked 1,116 Times in 409 Posts
Default

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.
__________________
Have guns...will shoot'em.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-06-2011, 02:38 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,051
Likes: 10,764
Liked 15,451 Times in 6,781 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Southampton View Post
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 ?
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??
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-08-2011, 01:26 PM
Moonman Moonman is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 3,043
Liked 1,791 Times in 932 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-08-2011, 09:46 PM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,068 Times in 2,660 Posts
Default

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.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-08-2011, 09:54 PM
wheelgun28's Avatar
wheelgun28 wheelgun28 is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SW CT
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 2,535
Liked 3,024 Times in 950 Posts
Default

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...

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-08-2011, 10:34 PM
Norsky's Avatar
Norsky Norsky is offline
Member
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: DAB, FL
Posts: 78
Likes: 4
Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-09-2011, 01:32 AM
Hook686's Avatar
Hook686 Hook686 is offline
US Veteran
Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers Magnum and Regular Primers  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: California
Posts: 383
Likes: 161
Liked 61 Times in 40 Posts
Default

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.
__________________
Hook686

Last edited by Hook686; 09-09-2011 at 11:26 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
357 magnum, 44 magnum, chronograph, model 14, primer, remington

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
657-41 Magnum-Lew Horton-RSR-Davidson's-Dealer Specials and Regular Production ko41 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 58 12-26-2020 01:19 PM
Regular Primers vs Magnum elundgren Reloading 17 05-24-2011 09:33 PM
Using regular primers in magnum rounds? guntherapist Reloading 23 12-27-2010 05:08 PM
Substitute SP Magnum Primers for SP Standard Primers photoman Reloading 10 05-07-2009 09:00 PM
WTT 1K CCI LG Pistol Magnum Primers & .41 Magnum Ammo AZ RufusG Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 3 04-13-2009 01:12 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:00 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)