|
|
08-20-2020, 02:44 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
|
|
Small Pistol Primers for .357 Mag
At some point I’m gonna load .357. I use HP38 for everything, including .38 special. Primers are hard to find right now. If I can’t find small pistol magnum primers, can regular ones do in a pinch?
|
08-20-2020, 03:03 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 4,746
Liked 2,712 Times in 909 Posts
|
|
For lighting HP38 in a 357 magnum, small pistol primers will work fine.
|
The Following 10 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 03:40 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Primers go with the powder used not the caliber.
Hodgdon used mag primers for anything labeled magnum for constancy only (per them many years ago)
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 04:20 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
Primers go with the powder used not the caliber.
Hodgdon used mag primers for anything labeled magnum for constancy only (per them many years ago)
|
So no using them if I can’t get magnum ones? I’ll be on the hunt for the magnum just wanna know.
|
08-20-2020, 04:38 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,164
Likes: 3,441
Liked 6,257 Times in 2,063 Posts
|
|
Use what you already have.....
Randy
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 05:11 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 1 Post
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
So no using them if I can’t get magnum ones? I’ll be on the hunt for the magnum just wanna know.
|
No. Whether to use magnum pistol primers or regular pistol primers depends on the powder you're using, not on the round you're loading for.
For example, HS-6 in .357 Mag should use magnum primers. Unique in .357 Mag will work just fine with regular primers. Will regular primers ignite the HS-6? Yes. Will magnum primers ignite Unique? Yes. But the magnum primers don't give you any benefit with Unique. With the HS-6 the powder burns more consistently and more completely with the hotter primer, so you get more consistent accuracy.
I've never used HP-38, but if I recall correctly it isn't a "hard to light" powder, so you probably don't need magnum primers for it.
Last edited by cpaspr; 08-20-2020 at 05:12 PM.
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 05:15 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,804
Likes: 58,021
Liked 53,075 Times in 16,554 Posts
|
|
For plinking, use whatever you have.
__________________
Sure you did
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 05:38 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
So no using them if I can’t get magnum ones? I’ll be on the hunt for the magnum just wanna know.
|
Use what you have you do not need Mag primers for that powder
Regular primers are fine with HP 38 and lots of other powders. It's all I use. I use regular primers for 2400 powder, Longshot and several other "slower" powders you do not need Mag primers for most of the faster or medium powders,
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 06:10 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
Use what you have you do not need Mag primers for that powder
Regular primers are fine with HP 38 and lots of other powders. It's all I use. I use regular primers for 2400 powder, Longshot and several other "slower" powders you do not need Mag primers for most of the faster or medium powders,
|
Thanks, Oh Wise One! 7 years later and still helping me out!
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 07:05 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 80
Likes: 23
Liked 218 Times in 48 Posts
|
|
You can use regular or magnum or even rifle primers. Just make sure to build up your load again (especially if it’s near max) because you are changing components.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 08:38 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: "Land of Disenchantment"
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 3,974
Liked 9,179 Times in 2,526 Posts
|
|
For HP-38 you will find that regular small pistol primers work just fine. In a pinch, you can also substitute small rifle primers for small magnum pistol primers.
__________________
Only a cold warrior
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 11:16 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Kalif. usa
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 2,665
Liked 3,927 Times in 2,366 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
At some point I’m gonna load .357. I use HP38 for everything, including .38 special. Primers are hard to find right now. If I can’t find small pistol magnum primers, can regular ones do in a pinch?
|
You pnly need a magnum primer for 1 or 2 powders, the rest can be loaded quite fine with std primers.
__________________
NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO
|
08-20-2020, 11:25 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 7,520
Likes: 19,278
Liked 32,372 Times in 5,476 Posts
|
|
Generally speaking, high density loads of slower burning powders may benefit from the additional output of magnum primers, but those uses are a pretty narrow slice of the usual uses. Standard primers are more than adequate for the majority of needs. As others have pointed out, when changing the primers in a load you need to start over again to work the load up for the primers to be used. DO NOT ASSUME THAT ANY PART OF THE LOADING RECIPE CAN BE CHANGED WITHOUT CAREFULLY WORKING UP THE NEW LOAD FROM SCRATCH.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-20-2020, 11:35 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Tennessee
Posts: 969
Likes: 1,241
Liked 1,411 Times in 509 Posts
|
|
I have come to the conclusion that all the small primers are interchangeable as long as your not pushing for max loads. Large rifle primers are not interchangeable.
|
08-21-2020, 12:42 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 1,346
Liked 3,186 Times in 897 Posts
|
|
When I was shooting 38 super major loads in USPSA years ago I used 540/HS6 and small pistol primers. I never had an issue or accuracy problem. Running high pressure loads I had some pretty flat primers but never blew one.
More recently, this year, I started loading 357 again and tested HS6 for moderate Rifle loads Using standard primers and had no problems. Matter of fact accuracy was excellent.
The only time I use magnum primers is for hot loads with H110.
|
08-21-2020, 08:13 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
|
|
Thanks for the replies. I’d prefer to stick with only one type of primers to avoid mixing them up anyway. Reason why I only use .45 ACP brass with small primers pockets. One type to buy and store and no chance of popping a large primer as I try to seat it in a small primer case that got by me. When I do load some up I’ll load a few with the small pistol primers and fire them off. If all is well, and I’m sure it will be, I won’t even bother with the magnum primers. By the way, I do not intend to load maximum charges anyway. I think Hodgson says 3.7 HP38 is a max charge for 158 grain LSWC. I intend to stay middle of the road as always and load 3.4-3.5 grains. Weigh every charge as always.
As always, this forum comes through for me. Thank you.
Last edited by kbm6893; 08-21-2020 at 08:17 AM.
|
08-21-2020, 08:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 6,874
Likes: 7,481
Liked 8,135 Times in 3,678 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
At some point I’m gonna load .357. I use HP38 for everything, including .38 special. Primers are hard to find right now. If I can’t find small pistol magnum primers, can regular ones do in a pinch?
|
The size powder charge and burning rate dictates if a standard or magnum primer is used .
Large charges of slow powders, especially ball powders , will usually benefit from a magnum primer but just because the name says 357 Magnum ...it doesn't mean you must use magnum primers .
HP38 is a easy to ignite powder and will not require the use of a magnum primer . Check your load data ...it will specify the primer standard or magnum , best to go with the load data's primer .
Gary
__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-21-2020, 10:37 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,770
Likes: 19,523
Liked 11,869 Times in 5,391 Posts
|
|
The 357 Magnum is one versatile cartridge and is an easy cartridge when it comes to reloading. You can use magnum or standard small pistol primers with the fast or medium burning rate powders and even 2400, which is a slow burning powder. The one time you really need to use magnum primers is with slow burning ball powders, these would be HS-6 and H-110/W-296. Using standard primers with these powders will result in erratic and often incomplete powder ignition.
For powder selection, I have used Bullseye and HP-38/W-231 in the 357 Magnum, but I will say that you have to be very careful as safe charges of these powders are small and take up little of the case's available capacity. It is very easy to double charge a case, which takes a perfectly safe load to a load that can damage or destroy a firearm and injure the shooter or anyone standing nearby.
With the exception of 148 grain target wadcutter loads, I prefer medium burning rate powders like AA#5 and Unique. They take up a lot more of the case capacity and a double charge is easy to see before the bullet is placed into the case mouth.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-21-2020, 10:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
Thanks, Oh Wise One! 7 years later and still helping me out!
|
Most welcome. If you look at data from other sources than Hodgon you will find just regular old standard primers for other than a few slow powders.
In addition other sources (Speer, Hornady etc will have different powder charge min and max. There is some leeway between all of them. Different tests, equipment, date and time. They are all published to be within SAMMI specs
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
08-21-2020, 11:12 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: WA.
Posts: 4,451
Likes: 4,510
Liked 4,492 Times in 2,190 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
Use what you have you do not need Mag primers for that powder
Regular primers are fine with HP 38 and lots of other powders. It's all I use. I use regular primers for 2400 powder, Longshot and several other "slower" powders you do not need Mag primers for most of the faster or medium powders,
|
I'm using 2400 also and I've never used a mag primer with that powder. I consider 2400 to have a medium burn rate. HP-38 is a lot faster powder so the mag primer would be even less of a consideration as you say. I don't think HP-38 is an ideal powder for 357 velocities but the truth is there are many powders that will work in a 357 case. I've even loaded American Select in a 357 case with 38 spl velocities. Works fine. 357 is a very versatile revolver cartridge.
__________________
That's just somebody talkin.
Last edited by LostintheOzone; 08-21-2020 at 11:14 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-21-2020, 02:00 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,581
Likes: 4
Liked 8,930 Times in 4,139 Posts
|
|
Use what you have. I no longer load any magnum handgun cartridges, but some years ago experimented with a load using the H&G #51 cast SWC (160 grs., the original .357 Magnum bullet) and #2400 powder. I got slight but measurably better accuracy using a magnum primer instead of a standard one. That's the results obtained in one 6" Python. That means absolutely nothing, like so many other loading tales often quoted.
Hope everyone can find enough primers of any kind to perform uninterrupted load development, a process that tells so much about your gun and what does best in it.
|
08-21-2020, 03:02 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Avery,Tx
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3,812
Liked 1,863 Times in 938 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
Thanks, Oh Wise One! 7 years later and still helping me out!
|
The right answer is the right answer, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.......
LOL
__________________
dd884
JMHO-YMMV
|
08-30-2020, 10:14 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 259
Likes: 1,373
Liked 138 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbm6893
At some point I’m gonna load .357. I use HP38 for everything, including .38 special. Primers are hard to find right now. If I can’t find small pistol magnum primers, can regular ones do in a pinch?
|
YES! That is all I have ever used, with no problems since about 1970.
|
08-31-2020, 09:13 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 1,459
Liked 6,726 Times in 2,578 Posts
|
|
I load my .357 with 2400 and a Fed 100 (small pistol) primer. No problems and great accuracy.
__________________
Common sense isn't so common.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
08-31-2020, 10:00 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,628
Likes: 241
Liked 29,141 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
Everybody overthinks primers. Fact is that any small primer (pistol, Magnum, rifle) will work fine for handgun loads. Only issue is whether if the handgun firing pin impact energy produces reliable ignition performance. SPM and SR primers are better for very high chamber pressures. Performance of all is essentially equal with any powder.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-31-2020, 04:05 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 981
Likes: 1,118
Liked 1,244 Times in 537 Posts
|
|
I read an article years ago by a gun writer who was privileged to see Elmer Keith's reloading bench after he passed on. The writer was somewhat surprised that he found NO magnum primers of any kind. Surprising from a gentleman who made his reputation loading everything to cylinder bursting pressures.
|
08-31-2020, 04:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,581
Likes: 4
Liked 8,930 Times in 4,139 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ggibson511960
I read an article years ago by a gun writer who was privileged to see Elmer Keith's reloading bench after he passed on. The writer was somewhat surprised that he found NO magnum primers of any kind. Surprising from a gentleman who made his reputation loading everything to cylinder bursting pressures.
|
I know recommendations are to the contrary, but I haven't found a real need for magnum primers even when using 296/H110 or HS-6. Perhaps in extreme cold, like below zero, they might prove beneficial.
|
09-03-2020, 11:52 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 41
Likes: 6
Liked 16 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
Primers go with the powder used not the caliber.
Hodgdon used mag primers for anything labeled magnum for constancy only (per them many years ago)
|
Except for 2400. Non-magnum primers preferred.
__________________
Gun Control: POA=POI
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-04-2020, 12:44 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,628
Likes: 241
Liked 29,141 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
A little off topic, but I once did some extensive testing of LRM vs. LR primers (CCI) using a slow propellant (I think it was Norma 205) in .270 Win with 130 gr bullets. Results were that both loads worked equally well, with near-identical average MVs. But grouping appeared slightly better using regular LR primers which may or may not be significant. Usual advice is that the .270 loaded with slow powders requires LRM primers. I did not find that to be the case, except maybe it might be true under some special circumstances, such as in very cold temperature environments.
Last edited by DWalt; 09-04-2020 at 12:48 AM.
|
09-04-2020, 12:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dazlin
Except for 2400. Non-magnum primers preferred.
|
Hodgdon doesn't make or test 2400. But yes, 2400 doesn't need a mag primer
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
09-04-2020, 12:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
A little off topic, but I once did some extensive testing of LRM vs. LR primers (CCI) using a slow propellant (I think it was Norma 205) in .270 Win with 130 gr bullets. Results were that both loads worked equally well, with near-identical average MVs. But grouping appeared slightly better using regular LR primers which may or may not be significant. Usual advice is that the .270 loaded with slow powders requires LRM primers. I did not find that to be the case, except maybe it might be true under some special circumstances, such as in very cold temperature environments.
|
Another off topic. The 357 mag originally had a LARGE primer.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
09-04-2020, 04:56 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: St. Charles County, MO
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 978
Liked 1,080 Times in 426 Posts
|
|
My Winchester SPP's say: For Standard or Magnum. I don't know if this is the current wording or not.
|
09-04-2020, 06:07 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,087
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,512 Times in 6,798 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff423
My Winchester SPP's say: For Standard or Magnum. I don't know if this is the current wording or not.
|
Better double check, It is the Large primers that are both.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
|
09-04-2020, 06:36 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: St. Charles County, MO
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 978
Liked 1,080 Times in 426 Posts
|
|
Thanks,
I may have been looking in the wrong drawer.
FWIW: I use standard and magnum SPP's interchangeably for all my .38 spec and .357 loads and have never noticed a difference.
|
09-04-2020, 06:45 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern Middle Tennessee
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 3,427
Liked 4,120 Times in 1,462 Posts
|
|
I have used standard primers for 357 using 2400 without issue for years.
__________________
Randy
|
09-04-2020, 09:53 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Western Phraudsylvania
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 837
Liked 1,237 Times in 449 Posts
|
|
You've had a multitude of responses telling you that it's OK to use SP-Mag primers in your 357 loads with H38, and I'm not going to disagree. My experience was with trying magnum primers vs SPP in 9mm mid-range loads using a different powder (AA#5, same load in all cases) and different bullets (124 gr plated HBFP). Here's some chrono results; 10 rds each from a Springfield 1911-A1:
Winchester SPP: Average 940 FPS, ES 44 FPS, SD @ 14 FPS
Federal Premium SPP: Average 930 FPS, ES 65 FPS, SD @ 22 FPS
Sellier & Bellot SPP: Average 920 FPS, ES 52 FPS, SD @ 18 FPS
CCI SP Magnum: Average 930 FPS, ES 49 FPS, SD @ 14 FPS
No appreciable difference with a fairly fast burning powder. -S2
Last edited by Speedo2; 09-04-2020 at 10:07 PM.
|
09-05-2020, 12:38 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: (outside) Charleston, SC
Posts: 31,000
Likes: 41,665
Liked 29,249 Times in 13,829 Posts
|
|
I use 2400 as a magnum powder.....
...because I don't HAVE to use magnum primers.
__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-05-2020, 09:14 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 10
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
Use what you have you do not need Mag primers for that powder
Regular primers are fine with HP 38 and lots of other powders. It's all I use. I use regular primers for 2400 powder, Longshot and several other "slower" powders you do not need Mag primers for most of the faster or medium powders,
|
I agree with everything said here. You can load 38 or 357 without magnum primers by using faster powders. Only powder I use with magnum primers is H110 or W296. Never "load down" either of those powders either. Always stay between starting and maximum loads with those slow powders.
Last edited by jordan57; 09-05-2020 at 09:17 AM.
Reason: addition
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-06-2020, 08:07 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 195
Likes: 114
Liked 123 Times in 70 Posts
|
|
Read the primer manufactures discription for the use of the primers. Some are just for 357 mags. REM 5 1/2 is one.
Mag primers may have thicker cups. Less chance of a pierced primer. (In my M28-2)
Last edited by 243winxb; 09-06-2020 at 08:12 AM.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|