reloading w/winchester large pistol primers

[440turner]

I am new to this web site and reloading and might have a question or two about reloading here in the near future so all the help I can get will be appreciated. I have recently bought a 1000 count box of Winchester Large pistol primers and plan on reloading some 45 ACP and 44 Mag loads. I have a Lyman reloading handbook 49th edition and the information for all the 45 ACP loads have Rem. 2 1/2 or CCI 300 primers, and the 44 Mag loads have CCI 300 & 350 primers. I also have a Hodgdons 2010 reloading manual, it uses Federal 150,s for the 45 ACP and REm 2 1/2 for the 44 Mag. I would like to know if I can use the WLP for both loads of mine (45ACP and 44Mag) using the same load information in the mentioned manuals even though they list different primers in their loads?I have helped my uncle in the reloading processes before but cant remember seeing anything but WLP in his 45ACP and auto-rim loads, he used 231 powder where I think I am going to buy some unique. Thanks for the help in advance

 

[Skip Sackett]

First off turner, welcome to the forum. And in my opinion, the best part of this one!

If you notice in each of the manuals you have there should be a minimum charge listed for each caliber. The reason for that is to give a starting point. This load should be safe as long as the components are near the same configuration. Bullet type, powder type, case type and yes primer type. If you start low, and change one of the components it should still give you a safe round.

That all flies out the window if you don't have your reloading techniques down.

As for the WLP primers, they are listed for "standard and magnum" loads, right?

If so, they can be used in either type of load. My experience has been that I get from 50 to 100fps more velocity when I use them over primers that are designed strictly for standard type loads.

Now, your mileage may vary but, remember this, start low and work your way up staying within the current data recipe parameters.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rancher]

If you are going to load Unique, your WLP primers will be just fine for the .45 acp and the .44 mag. They are large pistol primers, just as CCI 300's are, and are suitable for the fast to medium burning rate powders. Magnum primers e.g., CCI 350 are for lighting the slowest burning ball powders more consistently. You would want to use magnums for powders like H-110 in magnum loads. Naturally, you need to follow charge weight recommendations and procedures given in the loading manuals for your safety.

 

[michael thornton]

i just wish i could find some wlp primers! thats what i use most of the time, i use them in 44 spec 44 mag 45 acp 45colt

 

[440turner]

yes they say "for standard or magnum pistol loads"

 

[440turner]

must be a Michigan thing on the availability

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Winchester primers large and small is about all I can get around here and that's ok as I've been useing them for year's with no problem's.

 

[RedHawk357Mag]

440turner, welcome. They have given you great info. Going to add my two cents from my personal experience. In addition to starting loads and working up as suggested I would add ensure that you check your scale every time with check weights. Lyman and RCBS both make them. Each and every time I switch powders or loads between different calibers I use the check weights to ensure my my scale is tracking correctly and that I have indeed set the poises correctly on the scale. And as for your question WLP work great in my 44 Mag.

 

[Steve C]

As mentioned WLP primers have a notation on their box that they're good for standard and magnum loads.

Current loading manuals "usually" list a lower start load and a higher maximum load for a particular bullet type and weight. If the manual you are looking at only lists one load it is the maximum load and you are expected to do the math and reduce it by 10% to get the start load. Most modern manuals are for the math challenged who can't figure out what a 10% reduction is. There is a notable exception in charge reduction and that is with H110 or W296 that are volume and load density sensitive powders which should be reduced no more than 3%.

With a start load there is enough safety margin to avoid pressure problems when different components and firearms are used.

 

[Scrapper]

As mentioned WLP primers have a notation on their box that they're good for standard and magnum loads.

Current loading manuals "usually" list a lower start load and a higher maximum load for a particular bullet type and weight. If the manual you are looking at only lists one load it is the maximum load and you are expected to do the math and reduce it by 10% to get the start load. Most modern manuals are for the math challenged who can't figure out what a 10% reduction is. There is a notable exception in charge reduction and that is with H110 or W296 that are volume and load density sensitive powders which should be reduced no more than 3%.

With a start load there is enough safety margin to avoid pressure problems when different components and firearms are used.

To back up Steve I recently bought a 460 XVR 8". I got the hornady Handbook and some Starline Cases, WLR's and 200gn FTX's. I went right to work handloading these at Hornady's Minimum recommended powder charges using Hodgdon H 110 and Win 296. When I went to range and fired these I found that both powders, in their minimum loading, fired pretty much the same accuracy and all. My opinion both are potent and accurate enough to do the job on big game at 50-75 yrds. easy.

Back to the point that when these expert ammo makers put a load on paper you had better follow it to the word. They made it easy for me and I been reading their books over and over for over 30 yrs.

Be safe and Learn

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I agree with Steve C completely except for one detail.The minimum reduction of 3% with H110/W296 can be taken with a grain of salt.Different sources(each with ballistic labs)differ on this.If you will simply do the math,you will easily see that the 3% figure is usually exceeded with some more than others.Hornady and Sierra,for an example,go far below 3%.The 3% figure is quoted from Hodgdon.Winchester says to not download at all.Speer says no more than 10%,etc,etc.

As a very general rule,reductions of charge weights with this powder should be kept very small.It is not intended for light loads.Both pressure and density are needed for it to perform as expected.Too light of a charge can easily result in a squib load due to it's greatly reduced pressure.

My whole point is that one should take the 3% figure (that's so often quoted)with a grain of salt.

 

[Snapping Twig]

FWIW, all I have ever used in rifle and pistol has been Winchester, that includes magnum as well as standard loads, ball or flake powder, large or small pistol.

One exception... Freedom Arms Casull. They sold me some brass with small rifle primer bases and suggested CCI primers in the load - mostly for the hardness of the primer cup.

I've never had an issue lighting H110/W296 nor have I had unburned powder issues - providing it wasn't a weak load as moderate to full power loads burn more efficiently.