i am just getting started with reloading. i shoot .44 .41 .357 and .460. all of which i am understanding use the large pistol primer. i am going to start 1 caliber at a time (.44 mag which is what i shoot the most of) i want to buy in bulk and this is the first ingredient on my list. HELP! i am going to start with some jacketed bullets first and later when i can afford move on to casting. the molds that i want are expensive. i need advice on what primers i should get that can reliably cover both areas(if there is even a difference) and what about magnum primers? i've heard that there is almost no difference, and i've also heard not to buy em. what's the deal? any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks.
primers
- Thread starter mr.magnum
- Start date
ScottJ
Member
Actually .38/.357 uses small primers but the rest of your list use large.
I like Winchester primers (large is WLP) because they claim to be fine for both magnum and non-magnum loads.
Supposedly ball powders are supposed to require extra primer oomph for reliable ignition but I have fired plenty of 9MM with Accurate No. 5 (fine ball powder) lit off with CCI non-magnum primers without issue.
I like Winchester primers (large is WLP) because they claim to be fine for both magnum and non-magnum loads.
Supposedly ball powders are supposed to require extra primer oomph for reliable ignition but I have fired plenty of 9MM with Accurate No. 5 (fine ball powder) lit off with CCI non-magnum primers without issue.
I've had very good results using Winchester primers, too. Federal are also good but CCI does not work so well in my Dillon press. Nothing wrong with CCI primers, it's just that they seem to be ever so slightly larger in diameter than Winchester or Federal.
Dragon88
Member
Any brand primer in the size you need for your intended cartridge is fine. Only certain powders such as H110/W296 need MAGNUM primers, and that will be noted in the load data. Most 44 mag loads do not need magnum primers despite the name of the cartridge. Same holds true for 357.
Say I'm stocking up on large pistol primers and need around 1000. I will buy one brick of standard and 200-300 magnum, and that covers my usual mix of loads.
Say I'm stocking up on large pistol primers and need around 1000. I will buy one brick of standard and 200-300 magnum, and that covers my usual mix of loads.
I reload 41 and 460. I use Large Magnum Pistol Primers in the 41, but the 460 actually used Large Rifle Primers. Large pistol primers set too deep into the pocket of the 460..
I have used Federal, CCI, Magtech and Remington primers and they all seem to work well. CCI primers are a bit hard and Federal are supposed to be the softest.
I use Lil'Gun powder on both loads.
I have used Federal, CCI, Magtech and Remington primers and they all seem to work well. CCI primers are a bit hard and Federal are supposed to be the softest.
I use Lil'Gun powder on both loads.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I have used them all. The Federals I have are used only for light target loads in a revolver with a light action. I have a few of them on the shelf. Had them for several years now. I like the large pistol primers from Winchester because they work for either magnum or standard loads.
Since primers have gone up so much in price, which I refuse to pay, I switched to Wolf for everything. They are a bit harder than Federal but not as hard as CCI, about like Winchester. The only down side to them is if you want magnum performance with ball powders, you need to get their magnum variety primers, small or large. I did and the numbers across the chronograph are superb, if you watch that kind of thing!
I just bought an assortment of primers and spent just over $18/100 for them. Now, that is more like it!
Since primers have gone up so much in price, which I refuse to pay, I switched to Wolf for everything. They are a bit harder than Federal but not as hard as CCI, about like Winchester. The only down side to them is if you want magnum performance with ball powders, you need to get their magnum variety primers, small or large. I did and the numbers across the chronograph are superb, if you watch that kind of thing!
I just bought an assortment of primers and spent just over $18/100 for them. Now, that is more like it!
Missionary
Member
Greetings
I shoot 41 mag, the 454, 45 Colt and 357 primerilly. I also have a 414 Supermag, and 375 Supermag that get shot a bit less.
Generally I have used standard LP primers until I saw a need to go to a mag primer. Some powders absolutely want a mag primer but others work as well and maybe better with satndard. You just have to experiment.. which is what reloading to me is all about.
I shoot 41 mag, the 454, 45 Colt and 357 primerilly. I also have a 414 Supermag, and 375 Supermag that get shot a bit less.
Generally I have used standard LP primers until I saw a need to go to a mag primer. Some powders absolutely want a mag primer but others work as well and maybe better with satndard. You just have to experiment.. which is what reloading to me is all about.
ia1727
US Veteran
I have used them all. The Federals I have are used only for light target loads in a revolver with a light action. I have a few of them on the shelf. Had them for several years now. I like the large pistol primers from Winchester because they work for either magnum or standard loads.
Since primers have gone up so much in price, which I refuse to pay, I switched to Wolf for everything. They are a bit harder than Federal but not as hard as CCI, about like Winchester. The only down side to them is if you want magnum performance with ball powders, you need to get their magnum variety primers, small or large. I did and the numbers across the chronograph are superb, if you watch that kind of thing!
I just bought an assortment of primers and spent just over $18/100 for them. Now, that is more like it!
Don't you mean $18.00 / thousand ? Where did you find the Wolf primers ?
Steve
+1 I don't load the 460 but do the 500, and you definitely need to use LR primers for both X-Frame calibers.
buck460XVR
Member
Sounds like you need to do your homework, get a manual or two, or both. As others have pointed out, .357 takes a small pistol primer and the .460 takes a large rifle primer. This will all be explained to you in your MANUALS. I too use Winchester large Pistol primers for all of my .44 mag loadings, whether standard or magnum primers are needed. Winchester is the only manufacturer to make one primer for both and only does it in Large Pistol.
