Small rifle primers use in small pistol apps

NJM15

NJM15

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Hi
I find myself with many more rifle primers than pistol, can the rifle primers be used in pistol brass? Reason is I shoot more 40,9mm and 357Sig than my Sportsman .223
 
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Your profile does not say where you are, so it is hard for Forum members to help you, but have you tried a local firearms board to see if you can trade with someone?

If you were local to me I would swap you out a few thousand to tide you over.

Do not forget to re-work your loads when switching to rifle primers. Especially if they are anywhere near max.
 
I wouldn't use rifle primers in a handgun load, they make two types of primers for a reason.

My Speer loading manual specifically says to not mix them, the rifle primer is harder and is designed to fire a larger powder charge.

Spend a few bucks and get the proper primer.
 
A few months ago I loaded some 357s with small rifle primers because that was all I had at the time. I used them in a model 19 and a model 27 with no problems. Load a few and give them a try. Let us know how it turns out.
 
There are many, many threads on this topic.

Yes you can use small rifle primers in small pistol. The only drawback is rifle primers are a little harder and if you have light triggers (done trigger jobs) on you pistols you may not get ignition. The size is the same, the ignition is a little bit more, but not enough to change pressure that you will notice.

As with changing anything, go back to a start load and work up. If they go bang than you are good to go,

At least for CCI a small pistol Mag primer has more energy than a small rifle. A small pistol is only a tad less than a small rifle.
 
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Using small rifle primers in pistol loads is not unheard of. In fact, Lupua calls for using small rifle primers in their load data for some loads.

In example:

.357 Magnum

Test barrel: 150 mm (6"), 1 in 18½" twist
Primers: Small Rifle
Cases: Remington, trim-to length 32,60 mm (1.283")
 
There have probably been over a million 38 Super rounds loaded with small rifle primers, for IPSC open. They work just fine. Two things: some revolvers may give you misfires, but most semi autos ought to hit the primer hard enough; you may have to reduce your powder charge a bit, depending on how hot you are loading. Go ahead and load up with the SR primers. Just start low and work powder charge up.
 
This question comes up often. I have run tests with small rifle primers
compared to small pistol and small pistol magnum in various loads
fired over the chronograph. In light to medium loads with small
charges of fast burning powder you could use a mix of them and never
know the difference. The primer effect is less than the normal variation
between shots. In heavier loads using a larger charge of slower
burning powder the rifle primer yields a velocity that is nearly identical
to the velocity obtained with a magnum primer. Recently I bought
5,000 Win small rifle primers because pistol were not available. They
will all be fired in pistol rounds without worry.
 
Primers are designed and manufactured for specific applications. Follow the manufacturers intended purpose and you'll be head and shoulders above the picadors out there. :)
 
zonker5 said:
I wouldn't use rifle primers in a handgun load, they make two types of primers for a reason.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. The rifle primers have thicker cups to deal with the higher pressures and generally run a bit hotter.

Plenty of people have used SRP in pistol rounds.
 
I find this rather interesting, considering that the 454 Casull round was designed around a SR primer. The reason was because of the thicker cup, which was required to hold the high pressure of the round. There was never a thought about a FTF because of revolver springs being too weak to ignite the primer.

Use the SR primers; I don't anticipate you having any problems, but there is a quick way to determine whether you will have FTF issues: prime 15 or 20 cases and run them through your handguns. You will know in a hurry...
 
No problem using SRP's in a handgun case. Worst case scenario, light strikes (especially with striker-fired handguns) will not set the primer off. I use SRP's all the time in .357 Magnum loads.

Don
 
Not saying.....

Not saying a person CAN'T do it by working up ther own data, but the hard cup/light strike thing may be a problem.

I think I would at least require a chronometer and start very low because the chance of overpressure is pretty great. I'd rather have a squib and have to get the bullet out of the barrel than blow up a firearm.
 
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rwsmith said:
I think I would at least require a chronometer and start very low because the chance of overpressure is pretty great. I'd rather have a squib and have to get the bullet out of the barrel than blow up a firearm.
Click to expand...

That's just plain silly. Magnum small pistol primers are hotter than regular small rifle primers.

Don
 
rwsmith said:
Not saying a person CAN'T do it by working up ther own data, but the hard cup/light strike thing may be a problem.

I think I would at least require a chronometer and start very low because the chance of overpressure is pretty great. I'd rather have a squib and have to get the bullet out of the barrel than blow up a firearm.
Click to expand...

A small rifle primer will in no way create a pressure difference that would "blow up a firearm":confused:

Go to this site, Scroll to the very bottom for load data for the 327 Federal Magnum Handgun loads.

Note the primer used.

When I first started loading this caliber I used the small rifle primer (In a J frame revolver) I then got more data which uses small pistol primers . It made NO difference. Do a search and you will find this topic discussed on many forums.

As I posted in the CCI primer chart (many times) there is very little difference in the SP and SR ignition. The Small Pistol Mag is way hotter.

And a "chronometer " is a time keeping instrument;)

http://www.speer-bullets.com/whatsnew/new_reloading_data.aspx
 
Tried a few today

NJM15 said:
Hi
I find myself with many more rifle primers than pistol, can the rifle primers be used in pistol brass? Reason is I shoot more 40,9mm and 357Sig than my Sportsman .223
Click to expand...

Went to the range and tried 5, 9mm 115 gr rounds loaded with small rifle primers, result? it doesn't work, shooting my Sig 226 the firing pin doesn't make a big enough imprint to fire the primer,
five wasted rounds down the hot tube
 
Did you double strike them? Were they fully seated?
If you want to be really frugal you can deprime them carefully and save them;)

What brand primer are they??
 
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