Primers

[mboyda]

Fairly new to loading. I'm making a batch of .357 with 15g Alliant 2400, CCI 500 Primers and 125gr jacketed. Load manuals call for small pistol primers.

I'm almost out of the CCI 500 but have 1000 1.5 Remington's small pistol and 1000 CCI 550 magnums. The Remington's say not to use on magnum loads on the box. If I use the CCI 550s do I need to adjust my load and by how much or should I just not bother with the 550s and just go buy more 500s. What is the effect of the 550 vs 500

 

[cp1969]

From your post, it sounds like you haven't loaded any shells containing 15.0 grains of 2400 yet.

15.0 is not a good place to start loading, regardless of what primer you're using. You need to work your way up. It sounds like you're starting at the top.

It also makes a big difference what weight and type of bullet you're using.

 

[mboyda]

This is my first batch of 125gr bullets was loading 158gr. I have 2 manuals and web references. Max load is stated at 17 to 17.7. Alliant's website says 17.5. I thought starting at 15 was not to out of line. What do you recommend?

 

[Skip Sackett]

Powder specific!

Fairly new to loading. I'm making a batch of .357 with 15g Alliant 2400, CCI 500 Primers and 125gr jacketed. Load manuals call for small pistol primers.

I'm almost out of the CCI 500 but have 1000 1.5 Remington's small pistol and 1000 CCI 550 magnums. The Remington's say not to use on magnum loads on the box. If I use the CCI 550s do I need to adjust my load and by how much or should I just not bother with the 550s and just go buy more 500s. What is the effect of the 550 vs 500

mboy,
What primer you use is usually more powder specific than load specific. HS-6, no matter what kind of load you are doing requires a magnum primer. Even folks that like that powder, I happen to be one of them, will tell you that it just settles down when use magnum primers.

On the other hand, 2400 is touted as not needing them to perform well. Now, your question is a good one: "If I switch primers, do I need to change my load?" That, dear friend, is a perfect question.

The answer is pretty simple too. DEPENDS! What I mean is this, if you worked your current load up using a standard primer and are at the top of the loading data then the answer is yes, reduce your load and to be safe, start back at the low end.

Now, here is where I will differ with most folks: "If you are in the middle to lower end already, AND HAVE A CHRONOGRAPH, you can take off from where you are, again, this is just my opinion.

Load 6 or so, again, if you are already at the lower end of the data, change the primer and see what you end up with across the chronograph. If it is in the middle to upper end of the velocity data, stop. You are at maximum for the components you are using.

Because I generally load to the middle of all the data I use, this is what I do. That being said, I have only ever seen about 100fps from the same firearms with the same loads after going to magnum primers.

You do what you feel is best for you. The proper instruction is to start completely over with the change of any one component. To be safe, that is what you should do. I told you what I do.

Being full grown means you get to make your own decisions. You also get to live by the results of those decisions.

Have fun, be safe.

 

[cp1969]

This is my first batch of 125gr bullets was loading 158gr. I have 2 manuals and web references. Max load is stated at 17 to 17.7. Alliant's website says 17.5. I thought starting at 15 was not to out of line. What do you recommend?

You're probably fine. I was thinking you were probably loading 158 gr or heavier.

FWIW, my favorite 125 gr. load is 9.0 gr. Unique with a non-magnum primer. From a seated position, using knees for support, I have shot many 1" groups at 25 yds with my 586.

 

[Fishslayer]

You're probably fine. I was thinking you were probably loading 158 gr or heavier.

FWIW, my favorite 125 gr. load is 9.0 gr. Unique with a non-magnum primer. From a seated position, using knees for support, I have shot many 1" groups at 25 yds with my 586.

Ditto. 2400 + light bullets has been linked to forcing cone & flame cutting issues.

I use a faster powder (Bullseye) for 125gr as well...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If the Remington primers are standard primers they will work fine with 2400. I would suggest you hold on to the CCI-550 primers for applications which require a magnum primer like HS-6 and H110/W296. IMO 2400 works better with a standard primer. If you don't want to use the Remington primers (but I can't reason why) buy more CCI-500 primers.

 

[JSR III]

Smith Crazy has probably stated it the best I have ever heard!!! The next to last line is a gem...

 

[alwslate]

My lyman manuals start at 13grs of 2400 and end at 17.7grs with 125gr
jacketed bullets in the 357 using CCI 550 primers. With your load of
15grs the 550 will probably give more consistant velocities than any
standard primer because of the modest pressure level.

 

[mboyda]

I actually have the Lyman and just double checked. Your right they do test with the CCI 550. Its not in the charts but at begining of section. There most accurate load is 17.7 with a CCI550. Little hotter than other manuals. Makes me feel more comfortable trying the 550. I just got more 500. Think I'll make some of each at 15gr and see if there is a difference.

 

[Rule3]

The Alliant website uses the CCI 500 regular SPP and you are under the Max load so IMO you are fine. I myself would use any regular spp that I had. Wolf, Win, CCI or Rem with 2400.

As mentioned use your Mag Primers for powders which specify them IE: H-110 or W 296.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Edit: What bullet are you using? Also, I have never seen a definitive test or study on the variances in individual primer brands, so can not say if Remington Vs CCI or any other is that much different. There may be slight variances in velocity but then all other things come into play also.