Winchester Large Pistol Primers "For Standard or Magnum Loads"

Jack Flash · Sep 1, 2009

I didn't want to hijack an earlier thread about Magnum vs Standard Primers, so here is my question in a new thread:

I notice that Winchester doesn't sell Mag and Standard primers for Large Pistol. (Note they do for Small Pistol and IIRC, for both Rifle sizes). What is the reasoning behind this?

Is the WLP primer a compromise between Standard and Magnum? Or is it just that Winchester thinks their standard LP primer can do an adequate job for magnum loads too?

BruceM · Sep 1, 2009

No.

Bruce

gregintenn · Sep 1, 2009

I'm not sure why they do this, but I use them exclusively in all handgun reloads with good results. It reduces confusion and the number of components I need to have on hand to reload.

tops · Sep 1, 2009

I use the standard small pistol in all small pistol shells even the .357. I use the large pistol in .45 auto and .44 mag. and .44 spec. and it works okay. Larry

Skip Sackett · Sep 1, 2009

It's because they meet a certain standard.

Primers are rated by brisance.

brisance:
The rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure is a measure of the quality known as brisance. A brisant explosive is one in which the maximum pressure is attained so rapidly that the effect is to shatter any material in contact with it and all surrounding material.

So their large pistol primers must meet or exceed a standard of that measurement, whether it's theirs or an industry standard.

I know that in my tests, and I've done a few, they work as well as magnum primers from other manufacturers in magnum rounds. In my opinion either they or magnum primers are needed for hard to ignite ball powders such as HS-6, H110/W296 and I know I am going to get some flak over this, 2400.

In standard loads they work too good!

I usually get between 50 and 100fps more for similar loads with standard primers.

I know that the "patriarchs" of modern shooting sports, Keith & Skelton and others, said magnum primers weren't needed for 2400. Before you criticize what I've said, run some comparison test of your own, just make sure you do it over a modern chronograph. On mine, the ES and SD come down drastically when I use magnum or Winchester LP primers with it in 44mag. YMMV. (But I don't think it will!

)

canoe on the yukon · Sep 1, 2009

I think that Skips' explanation of it reaching a certain brisant standard is correct and pretty well answers the question.To expand just a little,I'd be interested in seeing a scientific evaluation of all the pistol primers.I've seen a number of test results done with rifle primers but not pistols.For instance,I'd like to see an analysis of CCI#300 and CCI#350 compared with the WIN large pistol primer.The results would interest me.

In general,I use the Win WLP more than any others for handguns because in recent years,that's what I've found most available and they do a very good job.

As always,you should work up a load with all components being the same when you're sneeking up on anything near max.I still have some primers from other makers on hand and if I work up to near max with 2400 or Unique,I use a standard(CCI#300)primer.I use magnum primers with W296 and have used both WLP and CCI#350.

Most of my use is either full power with W296 or less than full pressure/power with 2400 and the WLP primer serves very well for both.

Joni_Lynn · Sep 1, 2009

I don't know what difference is there between some of the different primers but I use the Winchester large pistol primers almost exclusively for my handloads. They work quite well and have never given me a problem.

Skip Sackett · Sep 2, 2009

Depends on how light the action is.

Joni_Lynn said:
I don't know what difference is there between some of the different primers but I use the Winchester large pistol primers almost exclusively for my handloads. They work quite well and have never given me a problem.

The only place I have had problems with Winchester primers is when I used them in a revolver, double action with a lightened trigger/main spring. I took your advice and put a spent primer under one revolver's strain screw and that took care of the problem in that firearm. Thanks again.

I think that Skips' explanation of it reaching a certain brisant standard is correct and pretty well answers the question.To expand just a little,I'd be interested in seeing a scientific evaluation of all the pistol primers.I've seen a number of test results done with rifle primers but not pistols.For instance,I'd like to see an analysis of CCI#300 and CCI#350 compared with the WIN large pistol primer.The results would interest me.

I can't remember which one of the old Speer manuals has just that data in it but I will have to look. It's there, I just gotta remember where!

Winchester Large Pistol Primers "For Standard or Magnum Loads"

Jack Flash

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BruceM

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gregintenn

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tops

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Skip Sackett

US Veteran

canoe on the yukon

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Joni_Lynn

US Veteran

Skip Sackett

US Veteran

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