Large Rifle Primers Substitute

[Rambler42]

I have heard people say you can sub small rifle primers for small pistol primers. Can you go the other way? I don't have any large rifle primers but I do have large pistol primers, regular and magnum. Will these work in a .30-06 case? Do they have enough power to ignite a rifle load?

Thanks.

 

[H Richard]

NO, The large rifle primer and large pistol primer have different depth measurements. A Lg rifle primer seated into a large pistol casing will stand up proud of the base nearly 1/32", and will exceed head space in most revolvers. The large pistol primer used in Lg Rifle casing will sit deep enough th eprimeer pocket the firing pin probably won't reach it.

 

[rockquarry]

Pistol primers have thinner cups than rifle primers. While they be may okay for light rifle loads, they might easily pierce if used for standard pressure rifle loads. I wouldn't use any pistol primer in a rifle case unless maybe in a pistol cartridge that is fired in a rifle - definitely not in a .30-06.

Another exception might be in using a pistol primer in a .22 Hornet case. Some do this and recommend it. It may be safe and allegedly provides better accuracy, but the Hornet is a very small rifle cartridge and of moderate pressure. I found rifle primers to be fine when I loaded for .22 Hornets.

Some may recommend the practice of using pistol primers in rifle cartridges because they've gotten away with it, but generally, it's a poor and potentially dangerous practice.

 

[Rambler42]

That's pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the confirmation, I will keep searching for primers. Thanks everybody for the good input.

 

[Heinz]

I use pistol primers in reloading my Shiloh Sharps 45-110. Pistol primers are more sensitive than rifle primers and work well with the Sharps action. The black poder loads are relatively low pressure. All bets are off on full power smokeless loads. I never tried that.

 

[CH4]

I have heard people say you can sub small rifle primers for small pistol primers. Can you go the other way? I don't have any large rifle primers but I do have large pistol primers, regular and magnum. Will these work in a .30-06 case? Do they have enough power to ignite a rifle load?

Thanks.

If you lived closer I’d be happy to help you out. Lots of LRP and MLRP in SW Washington. Small pistol and rifle, especially pistol, are unobtainium.

 

[SF VET]

A year ago, belatedly found I had loaded about 600 9mm with small rifle mag primers, stupid mistake. So just sat down with my single stage Redding with a cam-lock puller, and didn't take too long to save the bullets and powder. Tossed the cases. I have stood next to pistol shooters blowing up guns, with imbedded metal in their faces. I am a safe rather than sorry loader. My most recent CCI boxes now come in different colors, making mistakes like mine less likely.

All the best... SF VET

 

[gregintenn]

That's pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the confirmation, I will keep searching for primers. Thanks everybody for the good input.

After a quick online review of this company, I think i'll erase my earlier suggestion.