Standard vs MAG PRIMERS WITH 2400

[HotBrass]

I've always used mag primers with 2400 I guess because that's always the way I saw it listed in the loading manuals.

Some guys have told me that they've got better accuracy and lower extreme spreads with standard primers using 2400.

Anybody ever play with this.Thanks for any replays.

 

[Shuz]

From what I've experienced with 2400 and what I've read on the net, standard primers work best with 2400. I hasten to add that all my experience has been with the .44 mag cartridge.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I suppose it's been because 2400 is considered to be a relatively slow burning powder(for pistols)that loading manuals traditionally used magnum primers with it.

Like you,I started off years ago using magnum primers with it because that's what the manuals advised.However,Elmer Keith always warned of only using standard primers with it.I began using standard primers with 2400 and noted better overall results.

Since then,Speer has indicated the same thing.If you'll look at any of their recent manuals,they advise only using standard primers with it.

Magnum primers are best served by slow ball powders like 296/H110 (same powder).

I should add though that one of the most accurate loads in the 44 magnum that I've used over the years has been with 2400 and a Win WLP primer,which is intended for standard AND magnum loads.

44 magnum
Keith 250 cast SWC (lyman 429421)
18.5 gr of 2400
WLP primer

This is not a full power load.

 

[moosedog]

I've always used the Magnum primers with 2400 and 296 because what I had read also.
I would be interested in seeing more on the use of standard primers with this powder.
Didn't one of the major companies make a pistol primer that was for use with magnum and standard loads several years back?

 

[john traveler]

Winchester Standard Pistol primers have always been regarded as the hottest of standard pistol primers. That is the one used by W-W to load .357 Magnum ammunition, and the one specified in their loading data with WW 296 powder.

 

[nitesite]

Originally posted by moosedog:
Didn't one of the major companies make a pistol primer that was for use with magnum and standard loads several years back?

Something similar to Winchester Large Pistol Primers?

I've always used standard small primers in my .357 loads with 2400. Alliant, and most of the load books I have make no mention of magnum primers. Perhaps the older ones did, I don't know. I don't collect or use them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've used both standard and Magnum primers in .357 Magnum loads using 2400 and with the standard primers I do get more consistent velocities. Also, the velocity drops very little with the standard primer. (not that there's much a velocity difference with any powder) 2400, unlike many Magnum powders doesn't seem hard to ignite.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I used to use magnum primers in all my magnum loads, then I started getting Handloader magazine and Brian Pearce always warns against using magnum primers for 2400. He says that Alliant does the same, so I checked with them and he was correct. They only recommend standard primers with 2400. I get get more consistant velocities across the chronograph, lower extreme spreads and generally better accuracy, plus Alliant says you will get lower pressures. There are no loads in their data, in .44 mag, that use 2400 that also use a magnum primer. I didn't check all the magnum calibers, but from what they have told me, they only use standard primers with all loads.
Here is a link to their data page.-
http://www.alliantpowder.com/r...eList.aspx?gtypeid=1

 

[Skip Sackett]

According to the tests I have done with 2400 it depends on the load as to which primers I use.

If I use 2400 with Federal standard primers I get big spreads and horrible SD numbers. If I use Winchester Large Pistol primers that are designed for standard and magnum loads I get much better results.

Since I use Wolf primers for 99.9999999% of all my handloading needs nowadays, and I have tested the standard variety Wolf and 2400, I choose to use Wolf Large Pistol Magnum primers with most of my 2400 loads. My numbers prove this out as does accuracy.

Maybe Wolf primers have less brisance than other magnum primers, I know they are super consistent, I know they give me that little extra boost like the Winchester primers do.

I have done this in all of my magnum loads as well as some of my "hot rod" 2400 45AR loads. I have run these 2400 loads over a chronograph and it is unreal how the numbers come down when I use those Wolf magnum primers with 2400.

Of course, YMMV, and you need to do what you feel comfortable with. I can't be responsible for what you do.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Skip, I thought Wolf primers were just about the same as all the others but I will keep that in mind when I break out the Wolf primers I bought a few months ago. Thanks for the info...

 

[andyo5]

I have tried both standard and magnum primers with 14.5g of 2400 in .357 magnum loads. I found the results were much better with standard primers. Some books recommend magnum primers, and some do not. That's why I tried both types for comparison.