Standard WSP primers in Titegroup .357 loads?

[SLT223]

The hodgdon site shows all titegroup loads were made with small pistol magnum primers. Is there a safety issue using regular small pistol primers? I've seen standard primers go off outside of a case and they clearly produce a flame several times the size of the case, so I tend to doubt the added volume of a 357 case over a 38 would cause a hang/mis fires with standard primers, but would like some insight from folks with more experience than I.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I use Winchester WSPs in my 357(And 9MM) with Titegroup, HP38, HS6 and H110. As far as I can tell,the WSPS work well with all of them.

 

[SLT223]

I use Winchester WSPs in my 357(And 9MM) with Titegroup, HP38, HS6 and H110. As far as I can tell,the WSPS work well with all of them.

Thanks Shooter. I have 1000 WSPs to use up and really didn't want to load them in .38 cases.

 

[fredj338]

IMO, just hodgdon being lazy. The only powders needing mag primers are H110/W296, maybe Lilgun, but everything else runs one w/ std primers.

 

[rwsmith]

You can use mag primers....

You can use mag primers in any .38/.357 cartridge, but if the data was worked up with regular primers the powder load needs to be adjusted back about a half grain if you use magnum primers. If you use a bulky powder back off maybe a whole grain and work the load back up.

To my knowledge Titegroup does not require a mag primer to burn well. I use 2400 for magnum loads because it doesn't require a mag primer either, but the slower powders do. I don't need anything more 'maggy' than a full load of 2400.

 

[alwslate]

In light loads with fast powders like Titegroup and Bullseye I've found
that magnum primers will increase velocity by 5-10 fps and improve
consistancy in the 357. With heavy loads using 2400 powder the
primer effect is much greater. There's nothing wrong with using magnum primers for all loads in the 357 case but if you're loading right
to the pressure limit the primer effect should be considered. Titegroup
and Bullseye and other fast burners are easily ignited and no, you
don't have to use magnum primers with them in light loads.

 

[johngalt]

Hogden seems to think that any cartridge with the word 'magnum' in the name requires magnum primers. Not so. Magnum primers are only necessary for hard to ignite powders, and there aren't many of them. HS6, W296/H110, can't think of any others off the top of my head. In general, flake powders are fine with standard primers. Slow ball powders MIGHT work better with magnum primers.

I use standard primers with Bullseye, Unique, Universal, and 2400 in .357 cases and have had no issues.

 

[venomballistics]

IMO, just hodgdon being lazy. The only powders needing mag primers are H110/W296, maybe Lilgun, but everything else runs one w/ std primers.

Lilgun hasn't been primer picky IME

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Using a magnum primer isn't dependent on the cartridge, it's dependent on the powder being used. You really only need a magnum primer to ignite hard to ignite slower ball powders. (like W296/H110, HS-6 and HS-7) You are perfectly safe using a standard primers with most powders on the market today regardless of the cartridge name.

Side Note: I wrote and asked why current load data for the .357 Magnum uses a magnum primer for all powders. I was told it's to be sure the load isn't overpressure in the event someone substitutes a magnum primer in load data they developed with a standard primer. I'm thinking that is a valid reason since I know not everyone reads the data completely and if they decide a magnum cartridge need a magnum primer but the data was developed with a standard primer it "could" be a problem. You know the lawyers are trying to be sure their company doesn't expose itself to liability.

 

[Rule3]

As mentioned by Arch, (I called Hodgdon years ago on this issue) they ae not "Lazy" they tested all mag loads with mag primers for consitancy. No, most of the powders listed do not need a mag primer but the tests were done that way as Arch mentioned.

Fast powders for 357 mag are not the best choice anyway. Slower powders perform better.Even though there is data for it does not make it ideal.

 

[tmattimore]

I will admit that one day I was real dumb and loaded 100 rds of .223 with WSP primers. I did not notice until I was done. So for the heck of it I just went to shoot a couple and see what happened. Every one of them went bang and every bullet went down range with no noticieable difference in accuracy at 100 yards. I don't do that any more but I have used 40 year old Alcans, CCIs Hodgon and Federals in magnum and regular they all go bang. I think over much is made about the difference in primers for most shooters. Now if you are talking high power large magnum rifle loads then it is worth discussing.

 

[chief38]

I've reloaded .357's with Titegroup and have tried both Standard & Magnum primers. The results are around 25 - 50 fps decrease with the Standard Primers. When I do have the Magnum Primers in stock I use them, but if I only have the standard ones I'll use them also since all I am doing with them is punching holes in paper and banging steel plates.

If I were reloading for SD, hunting or competition I'd use the specified primer recommended in the Reloading Manual.

 

[hangnoose]

IT'S THEIR RECIPE

If hodgden uses mag primers in ALL their 357 loads, for whatever reason (not just titegroup), changing the recipe will change the results TO SOME DEGREE. Whether pressures/velocities will be noticeable to the shooter, I doubt it. I'd be more hesitant to use a mag primer in NON magnum cases (380,38 special,9mm), than the other way around. Published load data & results in pressure & fps is far from written in stone & varies from gun to gun & barrel length. I never expect to get EXACTLY the performance they publish, BUT the further you stray from their recipe, the further from their listed result I'd expect. If you follow good loading technique, starting low & working up to max loads with an eye out for signs of overpressure, (I) think you will be fine.