CCI MAG: SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS ?

[lonewolf5347]

Well was up state last week and needed some small pistol primer for the 38 S@W Model 15 : I did not have my reading glasses and by mistake I grabbed the Mag: primers instead of large pistol primers.I did read as long as you load not near max: there should be no problem using these primers in the 38 cal. 158 Gr SWC bullet.
I load 4.3 Grains of unique powder under the 158 gr. bullet
thought I just asked

 

[semperfi71]

I have used magnum primers in all of my handloads since about 1990 or so. I do this because of logisitics, I only want one primer available and I want it in stock at MY house and not at the closed gunshop on Sunday night.

As long as I started my loads at safe levels and worked up to either a medium load or full house load I never had a problem.

If there was a difference in accuracy I never noticed it.

I never have used standard primers in any fullhouse, magnum type load so I cannot speak if there is a difference there.

I hope this helps.

 

[Dragon88]

I have used magnum primers in all of my handloads since about 1990 or so. I do this because of logisitics, I only want one primer available and I want it in stock at MY house and not at the closed gunshop on Sunday night.

As long as I started my loads at safe levels and worked up to either a medium load or full house load I never had a problem.

If there was a difference in accuracy I never noticed it.

I never have used standard primers in any fullhouse, magnum type load so I cannot speak if there is a difference there.

You use magnum primers in all your handloads, but you won't treat H110 and W296 as the same powder? Wow..........

To the OP: You will be fine. Just make sure you don't use them in any maxed out loads that call for a regular primer.

 

[Southampton]

Based on the magnum primer discussion on another thread, I have been working with magnum small pistol primers in 38 special brass, with ~3-3.5 grains of Unique and 158 grain SWC. Appears, based on my experience of only a few rounds, to be a decent, comfortable target load in a 642.

 

[lonewolf5347]

I have another question on reloading do guys who reload favor the 158 SWC Bevel base or favor the 158 RN cast bullet as far as accuracy

 

[Dragon88]

I have another question on reloading do guys who reload favor the 158 SWC Bevel base or favor the 158 RN cast bullet as far as accuracy

SWC for me. 158s are very accurate with the right load and revolver. Just about anything a 357 Magnum can do can be done with a good 158gr SWC.

 

[sps282]

"LoneWolf" I think you meant "standard primers" instead of "Large Pistol Primers".....Never seen a .38 spc case that used large primers. As for me I only use mag primers when the loading manual recommends their use.

 

[semperfi71]

lonewolf5347,

In my experience ANY bullet is capable of providing the proper accuracy in any firearm. As long as the bullet is properly made. The shooter must experiment and find the right powder.

The SWCs are most likely to provide nicely cut holes in paper over a RN.

In self-defense or hunting situations the SWCs are reported to provide better kill because they cut clean over the roundnose and create more havoc internally.

My S&W Military and Police 6 inch prefers the Speer 158 grain roundnose lead bullet over all others as to accuracy.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have another question on reloading do guys who reload favor the 158 SWC Bevel base or favor the 158 RN cast bullet as far as accuracy

I like a SWC because it cuts a nice hole in the paper but both can be accurate with the right load. There are many factors governing accuracy, bullet profile being low on the list.

 

[lonewolf5347]

"LoneWolf" I think you meant "standard primers" instead of "Large Pistol Primers".....Never seen a .38 spc case that used large primers. As for me I only use mag primers when the loading manual recommends their use.

yes large pistol primers

 

[cptdco]

Alliant lists a max of 4.7 grains of unique for the .38 special and 5.2 for the .38+ with a 158 grain lead SWC. Your load is 10% below the 4.7. If it were me, and I loaded them with a mag primer, I wouldn't worry about it at all. And to join the discussion on bullet types, I've been loading a lot of .38s with Unique (4.5) and Bullseye (3.4) under the Zero brand swaged SWC and (preferably) their HP SWC. I've been very happy with their performance: no leading, very good accuracy, and their price is very competetive.