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 11-11-2015, 08:27 PM
Gripgrabber's Avatar
Gripgrabber Gripgrabber is offline
US Veteran
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 727
Likes: 4,447
Liked 991 Times in 372 Posts
Default Small primers in a 45ACP?

Hello, I was sorting some brass and noticed several Federal 45Auto brass that has small primer pockets! Anyone else come across this?
Thanks Gripgrabber
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg image.jpeg (196.4 KB, 66 views)
__________________
NRA Life Member
CPO
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:30 PM
Inusuit's Avatar
Inusuit Inusuit is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 4,748
Liked 4,788 Times in 1,677 Posts
Default

Yeah, it's a thing. As you know, most .45 ACP are large primer but there are enough small primers around in the Federal brand to keep me on my toes when processing brass.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:32 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

I was told the small primers were for the "pollution free" ammo. I about broke my wrist the first time I found one, as I was trying to seat a primer on my Dillon. Really squashed it.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:36 PM
Peak53's Avatar
Peak53 Peak53 is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tincup, CO
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 6,262
Liked 7,427 Times in 2,276 Posts
Default

sort and sell on a local site
__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:37 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

Federal is not the only manufacturer that has used small primers in .45 ACP. At one time I had a coffee can of small primer .45 ACP brass saved for primer shortages during which small primers are usually easier to find. I used the same load data and never noticed any difference firing them.

One picked up unknowingly can be a nuisance while using a progressive press.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:43 PM
venomballistics's Avatar
venomballistics venomballistics is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: between beers
Posts: 8,873
Likes: 4,772
Liked 6,925 Times in 3,301 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gripgrabber View Post
Hello, I was sorting some brass and noticed several Federal 45Auto brass that has small primer pockets! Anyone else come across this?
Thanks Gripgrabber
yes .. and its not just Fed either.

This isn't a new thing and not really a bad thing.
you can't just shovel 45ACP into your progressive anymore. You actually need to look at it.
That inconvenience means you'll be more likely to find the rocks, toosie rolls, and 380 husks hiding inside them
__________________
it just needs more voltage
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 11-11-2015, 08:57 PM
Houlton Houlton is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
Liked 531 Times in 173 Posts
Default

Long thread on the 1911 forum. I get my brass from Texas brass and its half and half. I can't see any difference in performance. Pain sorting but I like the idea of only having one primer.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 11-11-2015, 09:08 PM
gregintenn gregintenn is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lafayette, Tennessee
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 6,833
Liked 8,936 Times in 2,910 Posts
Default

I expect this was a solution to a non existent problem dreamed up by the same guy who foisted the 45 GAP upon us. Finding either of them during a reloading session can cause mild to moderate frustration.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 11-11-2015, 09:15 PM
GypsmJim GypsmJim is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 22
Liked 5,547 Times in 1,940 Posts
Default

I found a supply of these once fired for a real good price, so I bought 500. I reloaded a few boxes and had outstanding performance. Then I bought an additional supply and have been retiring all my large primer cases as they are fired. Now if I pick up range brass I discard all the large ones.

For target velocity shooting, they just seem to relaod easier and the cases last longer. I'm sold on them...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 11-11-2015, 09:19 PM
sellersm's Avatar
sellersm sellersm is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CO
Posts: 598
Likes: 341
Liked 335 Times in 181 Posts
Default

Commie plot! CCI, Win NT & others are small as well.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-11-2015, 09:20 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

The whining was worse just after .40 S&W was introduced. For the first time .45 ACP reloaders could not instantly see if brass in the dirt was their precious .45 ACP or not.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:11 PM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

From what I've learned, there is a move toward small pistol primers as the standard for the .45ACP. I buy boxes of 500 pieces of new brass and have been able to know which primer pocket size I am getting. I recently bought several more boxes so I will have many years' worth of the old-style brass - maybe a lifetime supply, as long as straight-wall pistol brass lasts. Right now, all new Remington and Starline .45ACP brass comes with large primer pockets and the Federal factory loads I have on hand do as well.

Ed
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:33 PM
sophie's Avatar
sophie sophie is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas Panhandle
Posts: 7,181
Likes: 5,549
Liked 3,392 Times in 1,706 Posts
Default

File 13 for the 45 acp brass with the small primer pocket.
Just my 2 cents.
__________________
James
On the Llano Estacado
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:41 PM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

Forgot to add that the small primer supposedly makes the ammunition more accurate. I know it does with bottleneck rifle cartridges as a lot of benchrest-oriented cases now come with small primer pockets but I wouldn't think the difference would be that noticeable in handguns.

Ed
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:52 PM
Geo. T. Geo. T. is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: East Texas
Posts: 149
Likes: 47
Liked 91 Times in 54 Posts
Default My Guess!

Some knot head that doesn't like progressive loaders came up with this crazy idea! If I get one once in a while it makes me crazier than usual!
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:57 PM
Geo. T. Geo. T. is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: East Texas
Posts: 149
Likes: 47
Liked 91 Times in 54 Posts
Default My Guess!

Some knot head that doesn't like progressive loaders came up with this crazy idea! If I get one once in a while it makes me crazier than usual!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-13-2015, 08:56 AM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 3,068
Liked 4,294 Times in 1,610 Posts
Default

Wish I had known about small primer 45 acp brass 15 years ago before I squirreled away 4000+ pcs of the large primer stuff. It would be SO simple to only have to stock and load small primers.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-13-2015, 11:16 AM
nolesfan nolesfan is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Liked 51 Times in 16 Posts
Default

I only use the large primers. I have some small primer cases. It's nice to have the availability of either one in case you can't find one type of primer.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-13-2015, 09:54 PM
scooter123 scooter123 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 6,919
Likes: 179
Liked 4,294 Times in 2,106 Posts
Default

For me the mix between SP and LP cases is about 50-50. It's a result of several years spent shooting either Federal Champion from Walmart (SP) or Remington UMC in the 250 paks (LP). As a result it's become routine to tray up all my cases and eyeball the primer pocket on every case.

BTW, in the Federal Champion red box ammo the 50 count boxes used Small Pistol primers. However the 100 count boxes featured Large Pistol primers and were loaded to a higher velocity that matched the 230 grain American Eagle from Federal. I can also point out that the Fedral Small Pistol cases feature a small dot before and after the FEDERAL on the headstamp that isn't on the Large Pistol cases. So, if you see a Federal case where the primer looks different a quick look for those dots will tell you if it's SP or LP without ever having to check it with a pin gage. With Winchester the SP cases are all marked with NT, indicating a Non Toxic primer.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-13-2015, 10:06 PM
joeintexas's Avatar
joeintexas joeintexas is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Pensacola, Fl
Posts: 4,388
Likes: 9,733
Liked 7,187 Times in 2,603 Posts
Default

I've picked up a couple hundred of them, loaded them up. They shoot just fine.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-28-2015, 10:37 AM
bananaman's Avatar
bananaman bananaman is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hillsdale, Mi.
Posts: 7,473
Likes: 6,985
Liked 7,014 Times in 2,927 Posts
Default

Blazer manufactured brass case small primer 45ACP loads also. Bob
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-28-2015, 11:07 AM
daniel lawecki's Avatar
daniel lawecki daniel lawecki is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: toledo ohio
Posts: 657
Likes: 734
Liked 770 Times in 330 Posts
Default

Don't get rid of them keep and reload. I reload mine after I reload all the large primer cases. I have about a thousand and the groups are the same size as my large primer loads.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-28-2015, 12:21 PM
fredj338's Avatar
fredj338 fredj338 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Kalif. usa
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 2,665
Liked 3,927 Times in 2,366 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Houlton View Post
Long thread on the 1911 forum. I get my brass from Texas brass and its half and half. I can't see any difference in performance. Pain sorting but I like the idea of only having one primer.
Depends on powders but there can be as much as 25fps diff in vel between sm & lg.
Yep pita on a progressive. I look at my brass for defects, but occasionally the sm primer sneaks by. So I keep sized/deprimed brass by the press & can pluck out the liberal case & replace it w/o skipping a beat.
__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #24  
Old 11-28-2015, 04:50 PM
AtomHeartMother AtomHeartMother is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 90
Likes: 77
Liked 62 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Sticking with large primer brass for simplicity sake. ...that's all I have in 45acp. I load 45 colt as well so large primers are always in my inventory.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 11-28-2015, 11:01 PM
Calliope Calliope is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: On the Mississippi.
Posts: 380
Likes: 117
Liked 157 Times in 94 Posts
Default

I load Blazer small primer brass for all my loads these days. People leave them behind at the range and I take advantage. Good, consistent brass, no load changes, no switching the primer arm on the press between calibers, and now my 357 and my 45 can share primers. Plus in a pinch I can use a wider variety of primers, including small rifle primers, to keep my 45 running.

Win-win for me.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #26  
Old 11-29-2015, 12:42 AM
76Y40's Avatar
76Y40 76Y40 is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: California
Posts: 55
Likes: 97
Liked 34 Times in 17 Posts
Thumbs up Speer Small Primer

Found an on-line source for (truly) once-fired, small primer, Speer .45 auto. Four cents each, shipped, in 2,000 round lots. Price has since "shot-up" to six cents each but I now have 8,000 rounds.

Life is good.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 11-29-2015, 02:35 AM
Fishslayer Fishslayer is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Diego, PRK
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 11,531
Liked 11,249 Times in 3,916 Posts
Default

Been going on for a few years now. Usually the lead free. I've found SP in several different brands. I sort by headstamp so it's a minimal PITA for me. I keep both in case primers of one sort or the other become scarce. SRP will work in the little hole brass as well.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 11-29-2015, 12:35 PM
fredj338's Avatar
fredj338 fredj338 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Kalif. usa
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 2,665
Liked 3,927 Times in 2,366 Posts
Default

If you are running a very minor load using lhp brass, check it with so brass before committing to it, I found the 25fps diff meant functioning was compromised. Yes it can change your load.
__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 12-04-2015, 05:34 PM
Calliope Calliope is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: On the Mississippi.
Posts: 380
Likes: 117
Liked 157 Times in 94 Posts
Default

fredj338, what powder did you see a drop off with?

My light loads are right on the edge of cycling (200 gr coated SWCs with 3.8 N310 or 4.2 gr Bullseye). I haven't noticed any changes in recoil or ejection when switching back and forth between primer sizes, but I don't have a chrono, so any data would be helpful.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 12-04-2015, 05:42 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is offline
Member
Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP? Small primers in a 45ACP?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,479
Likes: 236
Liked 28,938 Times in 14,012 Posts
Default

I think the idea of small primers was more because they are better at high chamber pressures. I load .45 with both primer sizes, usually use small rifle primers instead of small pistol. For that matter, I also use small rifle primers in .38 Special and .357 Mag, and have for many years. I learned that from a top-flight competitive shooter I knew back in the 1960s who always used small rifle primers in his .38 Special wadcutter reloads. He felt they shot better groups, and coming from that guy, I believe him.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Using small rifle primers for small pistol primers kantuck Reloading 16 05-04-2015 09:10 AM
Which brands of 45acp are currently using small primers 1sailor Reloading 8 02-06-2014 04:00 PM
CCI550 Small Pistol Primers Reloading - Only Primers left FTF Indiana/Ohio NealWright Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 2 05-19-2010 08:47 AM
Small primers in 45ACP loads H Richard Reloading 1 05-10-2009 12:02 PM
Anyone load 45ACP with small pistol "nt" primers? bizyjp Reloading 12 04-04-2009 06:37 AM

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 08:28 AM.


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