CCI Primers and light .44 Magnum loads

[David LaPell]

So far locally, the only large pistol primers I can get my hands on are CCI Large Pistol Primers (300's, non Magnums). If I use these in my light .44 Magnum loads (10.0 grains Unique with a 250 grain SWC and 11.0 grains with 200 and 240 grain JHP), will I get reliable ignition, or should I keep trying to hunt down magnum primers? I am down to the last of my Winchester Large pistol primers.

 

[David LaPell]

So far locally, the only large pistol primers I can get my hands on are CCI Large Pistol Primers (300's, non Magnums). If I use these in my light .44 Magnum loads (10.0 grains Unique with a 250 grain SWC and 11.0 grains with 200 and 240 grain JHP), will I get reliable ignition, or should I keep trying to hunt down magnum primers? I am down to the last of my Winchester Large pistol primers.

 

[Dew]

They will work just fine.

Dew

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

You don't need magnum primer for any load with Unique in any caliber. You will get perfect ignition with the 300's. In fact I have used them for an almost identical load for years now, with no problems whatsoever.

 

[riversalmon]

I light everything except the sphereicals with the 300's and in 25 yrs have experienced no real difficulties. They can cause concern if you go light on your springs. Then you may need some Federals.

 

[Shuz]

Originally posted by riversalmon:
I light everything except the sphereicals with the 300's and in 25 yrs have experienced no real difficulties. They can cause concern if you go light on your springs. Then you may need some Federals.

I second what riversalmon wrote and would add that Rem 2-1/2's are also good for everything; but I prefer mag primers with the ball powders.
I never had a problem with this philosophy in over 45 years loading for the .44 mag.

 

[musicmanbass]

I just went through 300 rounds of 10gr Unique under a 240gr lswc and they all fired beautifully.

The common thought is that CCI primers have slightly harder cups which can lead to ignition problems with guns that have lightened actions, thereby not whacking the primer hard enough to cause reliable ignition. In this case, folks usually go to Federal Gold primers, which have what is believed to be the softest cups.

If your gun is stock, blast away my friend!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

David,
Just because the caliber you're loading has a Magnum in the name doesn't mean you need a Magnum primer. Magnum primers in handgun rounds are only needed when using a hard to ignite powder like W296/H110. Unique isn't hard to ignite so there's no need for a Magnum primer. Actually, you will probably get better results using a standard primer.