Large pistol primers in large rifle cases

[NJM15]

I ran out of large rifle primers but have lots of large pistol primers. loaded about 25 to try had no problems at all.
Using Benchmark and IMR 4895 powders. I have also used small pistol in my .223 loads. Are there any consequences ?

 

[federali]

Maybe

The only possible hazard I can think of is that perhaps, pistol primers may not be able to withstand rifle pressures, in which case, they would leak gas back into the action or worse. We have to wait for someone to post who can be more definitive on this matter.

 

[ken158]

Bad idea. Pressure, accuracy problems and misfires may occur.

 

[4barrel]

They should blow a hole. I had to use rifle primers in my 357 Marlin with a full charge.

 

[Arm]

I made the mistake to substitute pistol primers in rifle cases....bad move. I had a few where the primers leaked past the case and also pieced the primers. Put some ugly burn pits in my Sako L-46 bolt face. Never again.

 

[DWalt]

LP primers are not designed for use at chamber pressures generated by most CF rifle cartridges. LR primers are. Not a good plan. Plus LP primers are slightly thinner than LR and seat deeper.

 

[apollo99]

Not a great Idea, the cup material is thinner to make up for the lighter primer strikes of a pistol or revolver. Using pistol primers when reloading rifle ammo not intended to have pistol primers is a gas in the eye, burnt out bolt face waiting to happen.As a matter of fact I now only use CCI small rifle magnum/CCI 41 primers in my .223/5.56 loads due to the thicker primer cups.

 

[Rule3]

No disrespect or to sound snarky but think about.

If they were the "same" why make pistol and rifle primers??

Please read the posts above.

Just because you squeaked by this time, doesn't mean it will continue.

Use the correct components.

 

[bigedp51]

The problem is cup thickness and how hot you load, I have used large pistol primers with low pressure reduced loads in rifle cases.

Small pistol primers have a cup thickness of .017, large pistol primer cup thickness is .020. And small rifle primers vary between .020 and .025 and large rifle are .027 in thickness.

Warning from Remington

"In rifle cartridges, the 6-1/2 small rifle primer should not be used in the 17 Remington, 222 Remington or the 223 Remington"

NOTE, besides the 6 1/2 the CCI 400 small rifle primers also have a cup thickness .020 and are not recommended in high pressure cartridges. (but how many of you have used them in high pressure cartridges)

Below a good read on primers.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRIMER - A PRIMER ON PRIMERS
Primer Info & Chart + Milspec Primers for Semi-Autos & Other Primer Applications

 

[Beargrass]

cci small rifle primers

I have used cci small rifle primers for a long time in the 17 Remington and the 223. Some of the books call for them. Never a problem. Does Remington want you to use small magnum primers?

 

[bigedp51]

I have used cci small rifle primers for a long time in the 17 Remington and the 223. Some of the books call for them. Never a problem. Does Remington want you to use small magnum primers?

Cup thickness and hardness governs how much pressure the primer cup can withstand.

Example, with a AR15 rifle it is recommended that you use primers with a cup thickness of .025. And this is because these thicker primers help prevent slam fires and can withstand higher chamber pressures.

Bottom line, the small rifle primers with a .020 thickness are designed for lower pressure cartridges. Which is just like using large pistol primers for light loads in a rifle cartridge. (when you have a primer shortage and cant find what you need)

Read the link I posted on primers above and below and look at the primer chart.

Primers and Pressure Analysis
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/

 

[NJM15]

Back to lg rifle primers

Thanks for all the info, I was able to get the proper ones for my .308 loading I take all information seriously, even though I didn't have any of the problems suggested. I used them in a situation where I didn't have the proper ones.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I think it's all been said ( and I agree) but.... I noticed you are using 4895. 4895 is famous for it's ability to create (significantly) reduced loads. Are you using it in that application? If you are and your pressures are down, you might be OK for that instance.
FWIW, I often use small pistol primers in reduced 223 loads (using bluedot powder.) These are low pressure loads and actually perform better than rifle primers in that application.

 

[Davwingman]

Remington # 6 1/2 primers were designed for the 22 Hornet. Remington # 7 1/2 Benchrest primers were designed for the 17 Remington & other high pressure 22 cartridges such as the 223 & 222.