38SPL HV
Member
Would you folks recommend using small pistol magnum primers with HS-6 and 38 Spl +P 158 gr LSWC loads? I’m using 1997 Winchester W540 (same as HS-6) 38 Spl +P load data for use in a Ruger 357 Mag Blackhawk.
Many years ago, about 50, I stopped using Remington # 1 1/2 primers for exactly this reason, I experienced a high percentage of primer cup failures, resulting in breech face and firing pin erosion, in all calibers I had used them in, standards just as much as magnums! While I did experience some failures of the #1 1/2 in the primer indent, I saw more issues with failures occurring in the primer cup annulus! My preference after, many tears of experience, is in this order for all handgun calibers: Federal, Winchester. CCI, whatever is available as long as it is not R 1 1/2!…I also was trying Remington 1 1/2 primers in 38 Spl +P and was experiencing pierced primers while CCI’s worked fine. Rem 1 1/2 primers worked well at 38 Spl standard velocity but I would not run them at +P for possibility of some piercing…
Still dirty with WSPM.