I have not done much reloading in the last decade. Getting old and sight is failing. Thought I would load 50 for my 45. While priming I found 2 cases from federal with small priming holes. So now my ?. Why and when did Federal make this change? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I don't get out much any more. Thank, Tedog
Question on 45 acp brass
- Thread starter tedog
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the_buckshot_kid
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When changes were made, I don't have the answer for that and from what I'm being told by local shops is that some rifle and pistol brass will become small primer and some won't. I currently have around 5k pcs of varying calibers and I'd say almost 1/2 are small primer.
.45 ACP is now available with both small and large primer pockets. It is necessary to inspect and segregate recovered brass. I've used both types and you may use whatever powder charge the manuals call for.There's no need to alter the charge for either the large or small primer.
You make reference to a "priming hole." More correctly, this is a flash hole and it is possible to find some variations in size. I wouldn't worry about it.
You make reference to a "priming hole." More correctly, this is a flash hole and it is possible to find some variations in size. I wouldn't worry about it.
Marylander
Member
Don't know exactly when or why, but it has been couple(few) years and Fed is not the only one who also gone that route. And I don't know how popular they have been, but in my shooting circles, the small primers did not go over well. They complained that their "auto" reload machines choked on them, which makes things stop, and makes the brass collectors sift through their finds to seaprate the small from the large.
In short, the small primer .45 are a PITA. Other folks may know more. R
In short, the small primer .45 are a PITA. Other folks may know more. R
Ivan the Butcher
Member
+1 on PITA!
Winchester introduced small pistol primer pockets with the introduction of their Non-Toxic ammo. This brass was head stamped with "NT" to indicate it as special ammo. CCI-Speer has also used small primers in some of their 45 ACP ammo. A few companies offer brass with small primer pockets.
It has been documented that using standard small pistol primers in small primer 45 ACP brass will result in reduced velocity. You can read about it at the following link.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/small-pistol-primers-vs-large-pistol-primers/
It has been documented that using standard small pistol primers in small primer 45 ACP brass will result in reduced velocity. You can read about it at the following link.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/small-pistol-primers-vs-large-pistol-primers/
Stan is correct--a couple places (Winchester, CCI, and Federal that I know of) did that nonsense in order to use non-toxic primers.
Fortunately, you only have to segregate the stuff out once unless you mix range pickups into your supply. And of course, it could be handy to keep around in case you can't get SPPs one day, or you could just use nothing but small-primer brass if .45 is the only large-primer cartridge you load.
Some rifle brass comes the same way. 6.5CM brass can be ordered either in small or large primer pockets.
Fortunately, you only have to segregate the stuff out once unless you mix range pickups into your supply. And of course, it could be handy to keep around in case you can't get SPPs one day, or you could just use nothing but small-primer brass if .45 is the only large-primer cartridge you load.
Some rifle brass comes the same way. 6.5CM brass can be ordered either in small or large primer pockets.
prairieviper
Member
I actually like the small pistol primers in .45 ACP. It's sorting the brass that I don't like. I just wish that CCI, Speer, Winchester, Federal and whoever else would stay with one or the other primer sizes and not both.
4barrel
Member
There are 4 different size holes under 45 acp primers. I think some Winchester are the largest. CCI-Federal-Speer and Federal are about the same size. I like the standard size but put everything else in different containers. One of these says I may see if I can find a difference in the groups. I still have a thousand round box each of once fired military-Midway-Match-and TZZ. Mid range 45s will do 40 loading or more. 80 clean 45 cases weighs a pound if you buy or sale. Post #6 is good reading.
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The small primed 45 ACP ammo was introduced during an attempt to make the ammo more "green", less toxic. I have done my own testing of large vs small primed rounds (2 different loads with small and 2 with large 50 each) and while I did find a very slight reduction in velocity (mebbe average 25 fps) all in all not enough difference. The main (only?) problems is when reloaders don't inspect their brass and a small primed case is fed into a progressive press set up for large primers. I have 3, 45 ACP guns and pick up any brass I reload, I find very few small primed cases...
I bought a fair amount of the SP .45 a while back because I had a BUNCH of SPP compared to limited number of large. Works perfectly well, though I do not typically load anywhere near the top edge of the curve.
max503
Member
I didn't find out till about a year ago when I was reloading range brass on my Dillon. Good thing I stopped and didn't force anything.
VNK971
US Veteran
I load the small primer brass and shoot them at a range that doesn't let you pick up your brass.
kbm6893
Member
I love them. I can use small primers for all my handgun calibers. Plus no worry of setting off a primer trying to seat a large primer in a small case they gets by me. If a get a large primer case I'll feel it when the primer doesn't seat then I put the large primer case into a separate bag in case I ever get large primers.
I can see older reloaders not liking them since they started with large but I only started reloading after small primers came out.
All 45acp that I shoot is reloads. When I come across those in brass I'm given they go in the scrap bucket
Aren't you sorting the brass anyway? No big deal....some would have you believe it is a major problem.
I pick it all up...use the SPP in my revolvers and large in autos....use the same load data for both as well.
Those of you that hate the SPP brass can feel free to send it my way!
Randy
I pick it all up...use the SPP in my revolvers and large in autos....use the same load data for both as well.
Those of you that hate the SPP brass can feel free to send it my way!
Randy
Funflyer
Member
I reload both and other than a difference in velocity there's virtually no difference in accuracy. Going from a SPP to a LPP I've seen an average velocity increase of up to 50fps, and about 20fps more with a SPM, depending on powder used.
Thus. .45 brass with small primers is un-American.
reloader7.62
Member
I have no Pros or Cons when it comes to either size of primer pocket on the 45 ACP brass, I have both types. I separate it when I pick up range brass or buy once fired and only take one or the other when I go shooting. Being that all my other pistol calibers use SP primes in the long run it will make it much easier to just stock one size primer for all.
