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Federal .45ACP

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shil

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Does anyone out there know if Federal "Range and Training" .45ACP ammo has large or small primers?
 
Huh? Are any US makers using small primers in 45's or is that just an option for handloaders from the brass makers? EDIT OK I found this article from ten years ago. https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/small-vs-large-pistol-primers-45-acp/99626 that is informative about it. I myself have not been shooting mine enough to have encountered that issue. I suppose the worrisome issue is that they might be loading different lots of the same ammo with one or the other depending on availability these days. And sellers are usually averse to letting customers open the boxes to check the ammo. Because if the box looks tampered with, people turn up their noses or worry about it. I quit loading 45 years ago and when I shoot it is just cheap ball for practice. I don't salvage the brass anymore or check for anything but an obviously damaged case or primer.
 
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I don't know for 100 % certain but ammo sold as "green " with lead free primers ... will most likely be "small " ... see if the advertising says lead free primers ...if it does ... assume small unless you can eyeball the ammo ... and make certain 4-sure .

If no mention of lead free primers ... assume Large ...
but these days the only real way to know is to look atthem !

My old Daddy always told me to "assume nothing !"
Gar
 
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I have found that some manufactures are using both, if someone looks at the box they have and say they use large primers that doesn't mean the next guy won't have small primers.
I am not sure if Federal uses both or not.
while having both sizes is a PITA, I separate and keep both, one never knows what primers will be available.
you might be able to call federal and ask.
 
Thanks, Everyone. I do reload .45acp, thus far with large primers. I really don't want to deal with the annoyance of two primer sizes for the same caliber. For me, primer size is therefore a factor if buying some fresh ammo, or, plundering the brass buckets (when no one's looking) at the indoor range.
 
Versatility

I like the versatility of the small primer 45ACPs.
Small Pistol Primers (SPP) or Small Rifle Primers
(SRP) can be used in a pinch.

I don’t mix and match my reloads, and
would never mix SPPs and SRPs. I keep
all my batches of reloads separated and
well taged.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.
 
I think all of Federal's current 45 ACP line uses small pistol primers. Shortly before the panicdemic, I bought some 230 grain HST ammo and it has small primers. Speer (Federal, CCI/Speer, and Remington are owned by Vista Outdoor) also went to small primers in the 45 ACP.
 
shil said:
Thanks, Everyone. I do reload .45acp, thus far with large primers. I really don't want to deal with the annoyance of two primer sizes for the same caliber. For me, primer size is therefore a factor if buying some fresh ammo, or, plundering the brass buckets (when no one's looking) at the indoor range.
Click to expand...

Buy Starline brass or Midway USA has a Sale in progress.
 
OK despite my prev post, I just realized I had a box of recent Fed. "Punch" 230 JHP and looked. Small primers sealed with green goo. Checked some WWB 230 JHP that I have had for awhile and it is large primer. Fiocchi 230 JHP I must have had for awhile ($18) large prim. Speer FMJ Lawman partial box large. The rest is stuff like GI match and standard so I have to admit this is my first encounter with 45 small primers.
 
shil said:
Thanks, Everyone. I do reload .45acp, thus far with large primers. I really don't want to deal with the annoyance of two primer sizes for the same caliber. For me, primer size is therefore a factor if buying some fresh ammo, or, plundering the brass buckets (when no one's looking) at the indoor range.
Click to expand...

I’m the same way. Federal is great ammo but I don’t go for it usually because I don’t reload small primer .45 either.
 
Federal has used and does use BOTH small and large pistol primers. I have boxes of both and it seems they use what they feel like at the time. Mostly, AE uses large but I also have some small. Same is true with the regular Federal line, but now they seem to use small on their "training" 230 grain FMJ ammo.

Bottom line is...... check inside the box before buying. I will not buy small ones as I do not like mixing them up.
 
Assuming small primers are less expensive and ignition is comparable, I wonder why the ammo manufacturers ever started using large primers to start with? Maybe it evolved from the size of the original center fire cases?
Ed
 
I threw away some CCI 45 ACP cases that were SPP maybe 30 years ago. Last time I picked any range brass up. Will watch if I pick any up in the future!
 
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