QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS - The Firearms Forum

Insulation Tim · 05-04-2009, 08:26 PM

I reload .45ACP exclusively, generally with 185 gr. LSW or 230 gr. LRN. I just realized that the last box of primers that I purchased were CCI Large Pistol MAGNUM Primers.....not Large Pistol regulars. It probably explains why the dealer had some.

What would happen if I were to use these with my Hogdon HP38 load. I'm not even sure at this point as to whether they will even fit into a .45ACP Cartridge. Are they useable or should I find some soul who loads Magnums and give them to him/her?

Thanks in advance.

RustyFN · 05-04-2009, 08:51 PM

I have not done it myself but have talked to a lot of people that have. If you decide to try it you will need to drop the charge and work it back up. If I was going to try it I would use a medium burning powder and not a fast burning powder, not sure what HP-38 is.
Rusty

Freebore · 05-04-2009, 09:03 PM

I've loaded both Mag and Standard primers in my 45 ACP (700X) loads and really didn't notice any difference, had no problems seating and the bang was the same. The magnum primers are usually used for harder igniting powders. I once read an article sometime ago regarding Mag vs Non-Mag primers and they determined that the Mag primers for Standard primer loads produced no significant change in pressure or accuracy.

gdmoody · 05-04-2009, 09:41 PM

The Hornady manual make the following statement: "Under no circumstances should one switch to a magnum primer with a load developed with a standard primer. Much higher pressures may be produced with the new combination."

muddober · 05-04-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebore

I've loaded both Mag and Standard primers in my 45 ACP (700X) loads and really didn't notice any difference, had no problems seating and the bang was the same. The magnum primers are usually used for harder igniting powders. I once read an article sometime ago regarding Mag vs Non-Mag primers and they determined that the Mag primers for Standard primer loads produced no significant change in pressure or accuracy.

I agree and yes they will fit just fine. I have done the same thing and never had a problem. With all due respect to gdmoody just because some reloading manual has put something to print doesn't make it gospel.

Ron

Freebore · 05-04-2009, 10:20 PM

Just got off of another forum touching on this same subject, CCI Engineering suggest backing off 5% with mag primers and work your way back (as long as you're not at, or over max loads now).

My loads were middle of the road so Mag primers made no difference. I agree that reloading manuals always take the low risk road on everything due to liability issues. I feel each barrel/case is an individual as well as the guy who pulls the trigger.

Insulation Tim · 05-05-2009, 06:15 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. My loads are always low to begin with, so it would appear that these Primers should cause no problem.

Alpo · 05-05-2009, 08:28 AM

I don't know if it would hurt, because I've never tried it. But if it was me, I check with my local CAS club, and see if I could swap 'em to somebody that shoots black powder. Most of 'em use magnum primers to set off the black. And most folks that reload do more than one caliber. Good chance you could swap 'em even up, and then you would not have to worry about it.

gdmoody · 05-05-2009, 11:20 AM

I didn't say it was gospel, I stated what was in a reloading manual. I doesn't mean that I haven't done it though.

Insulation Tim · 05-08-2009, 07:43 AM

I loaded up 100 rounds with the MAGNUM Primers and went to the range yesterday. Everything seemed to work fine and I didn't notice any effect on the cases (.45 ACP). I thought that there was a little black smoke coming out of the barrel but that was it.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Freebore · 05-08-2009, 08:15 AM

Great....sounds like your loads agree with the new primers

JLA · 05-08-2009, 08:59 PM

Just redevelop your load. treat the primer as a differnt primer. start back at starting charge and work your way up.... I use ONLY magnum primers in everything. It makes more sense to me to use 4 different types rather than 8. Its been working for me for 3 years now and I still have all my digits and my firearms are all still in tact... Just my way of simplifying my stocks. and saving shelf space.

05-04-2009, 08:26 PM	#1
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,298	QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I reload .45ACP exclusively, generally with 185 gr. LSW or 230 gr. LRN. I just realized that the last box of primers that I purchased were CCI Large Pistol MAGNUM Primers.....not Large Pistol regulars. It probably explains why the dealer had some. What would happen if I were to use these with my Hogdon HP38 load. I'm not even sure at this point as to whether they will even fit into a .45ACP Cartridge. Are they useable or should I find some soul who loads Magnums and give them to him/her? Thanks in advance. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"* -->

05-04-2009, 08:51 PM	#2
RustyFN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 592	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I have not done it myself but have talked to a lot of people that have. If you decide to try it you will need to drop the charge and work it back up. If I was going to try it I would use a medium burning powder and not a fast burning powder, not sure what HP-38 is. Rusty

05-04-2009, 09:03 PM	#3
Freebore V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 265	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I've loaded both Mag and Standard primers in my 45 ACP (700X) loads and really didn't notice any difference, had no problems seating and the bang was the same. The magnum primers are usually used for harder igniting powders. I once read an article sometime ago regarding Mag vs Non-Mag primers and they determined that the Mag primers for Standard primer loads produced no significant change in pressure or accuracy.

05-04-2009, 09:41 PM	#4
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,343	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS The Hornady manual make the following statement: "Under no circumstances should one switch to a magnum primer with a load developed with a standard primer. Much higher pressures may be produced with the new combination." __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

05-04-2009, 10:20 PM	#6
Freebore V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 265	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS Just got off of another forum touching on this same subject, CCI Engineering suggest backing off 5% with mag primers and work your way back (as long as you're not at, or over max loads now). My loads were middle of the road so Mag primers made no difference. I agree that reloading manuals always take the low risk road on everything due to liability issues. I feel each barrel/case is an individual as well as the guy who pulls the trigger.

05-05-2009, 06:15 AM	#7
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,298	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS Thanks for the advice guys. My loads are always low to begin with, so it would appear that these Primers should cause no problem. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"*

05-05-2009, 08:28 AM	#8
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I don't know if it would hurt, because I've never tried it. But if it was me, I check with my local CAS club, and see if I could swap 'em to somebody that shoots black powder. Most of 'em use magnum primers to set off the black. And most folks that reload do more than one caliber. Good chance you could swap 'em even up, and then you would not have to worry about it.

05-05-2009, 11:20 AM	#9
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,343	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I didn't say it was gospel, I stated what was in a reloading manual. I doesn't mean that I haven't done it though. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

05-08-2009, 07:43 AM	#10
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,298	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS I loaded up 100 rounds with the MAGNUM Primers and went to the range yesterday. Everything seemed to work fine and I didn't notice any effect on the cases (.45 ACP). I thought that there was a little black smoke coming out of the barrel but that was it. Thanks for your advice everyone. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"*

05-08-2009, 08:15 AM	#11
Freebore V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 265	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS Great....sounds like your loads agree with the new primers

05-08-2009, 08:59 PM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,320	Re: QUESTION ON LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS Just redevelop your load. treat the primer as a differnt primer. start back at starting charge and work your way up.... I use ONLY magnum primers in everything. It makes more sense to me to use 4 different types rather than 8. Its been working for me for 3 years now and I still have all my digits and my firearms are all still in tact... Just my way of simplifying my stocks. and saving shelf space. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!