Mag primers? - The Firearms Forum

Chazz · 10-16-2009, 05:37 PM

I found some CCI magnum primers yesterday - not what I was looking for, but they were there and I was there and....
So - here's the question: the load I was thinking of for my Glock 20 is 6.4gr WSW with lead 180gr bullets, but with standard primers. What modification to the charge should I make to accomodate the mag. primers?

I'm new, don't know nuthin' 'cept what I've read. Can someone help me out?

JohnTheCalifornian · 10-16-2009, 07:07 PM

You are not supposed to shoot lead bullets through a Glock. Its in the owners manual. I dont know the exact reason why not to, just heard it had something to do with the rifling inside the barrel.

You can shoot lead bullets if you have an aftermarket barrel installed such as ones from wolf.

Judging from your post I do now know if you have a reloading manual.
I suggest you buy Modern Reloading 2nd Edition by Richard Lee. In the book there is a whole chapter on how to reduce charges for cast bullets. Plus there is a wealth of information you should know before you attempt to reload. There are plenty of people on the forum who will help you in your quest to reload. Anything that you dont know come here and ask. No one will think your stupid and act like a jerk towards you for asking a question.

And you can use the mag Primers, just have to start at the lowest level in the load data. Just know that the max load will be lower than whats stated becasue you are using a hotter primer.

KellyTTE · 10-16-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnTheCalifornian

You are not supposed to shoot lead bullets through a Glock. Its in the owners manual. I dont know the exact reason why not to, just heard it had something to do with the rifling inside the barrel.

The Glock's polygonal bore accumulates lead (fouls) which leads to pressure spikes and catastrophic failure.

Short answer.

Chazz · 10-16-2009, 08:27 PM

I know about the warnings re: lead. Actually, Glock says don't re-load at all. We all understand that, right?

Nevertheless, I know that many do shoot lead through their Glocks - just keep the barrel clean, they say. I'm not trying to buck the system, I'm just following the advice of people who have been doing this a while.

Hope I get more input. I really do appreciate the safety warnings.

JohnTheCalifornian · 10-16-2009, 08:58 PM

All gun manufactures say not to use reloaded ammo, will void their warranty. I dont know what powder WSW is, I suspect its Winchester but Im not 100% sure. Best advice I can give you is to reduce the charge by 10 to 12%. Start there. Look for signs of excessive pressure. Check your barrel to see how bad it was fouled. If all looks good, slowly work your way up, around .5grn increments til you get aload that functions the gun and gives you good accuracy.

If you dont know what signs of excessive pressure are you really need to get a reloading manual. Thats Rule #1 of reloading and should not be broken. You do anything wrong it only takes one time to hurt yourself or someone by you. Something you can never take back.

312shooter · 10-17-2009, 12:49 AM

I'd use start a starting charge and work up....sorry for the generic answer.

I guess I have to throw the Glock KB warning in here too, don't shoot lead in your glock. Just because others are doing it????? Come on brother! Normal cleaning does not "unlead" your glock barrel, its that simple. Lead will slowly build up and fatigue your barrel and you'll be overpressuring you chamber even with minimum loads.

If you're a reloader you have some understanding of pressure; not something to be taken lightly! A barrel leading is going to slowly increase pressure independent of a specific "load" - so the data you are requesting really doesn't exist...............does it???

Insulation Tim · 10-17-2009, 07:43 AM

I interchange "Magnum" and regular all of the time with no negative effects that I can see. Primers have been scarce so I buy what is available. I really dislike my Glock 19 and will probably sell it, so it has never been shot with my LSWC reloads.

My Kimber 1911 eats them with no problems that I can see.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm right in what I'm doing, just no problems to date.

Popgunner · 10-17-2009, 01:06 PM

At least one load manual I have states you can replace a regular primer with a mag primer by going back to the start load, reducing by 5% & then working up again watching for signs of overpressure.

Insulation Tim · 10-17-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popgunner

At least one load manual I have states you can replace a regular primer with a mag primer by going back to the start load, reducing by 5% & then working up again watching for signs of overpressure.

I always load "lite" so that may explain why I never have problems.

JLA · 10-18-2009, 04:24 PM

I too use mag primers in nearly everything. I have read that simply exchanging std. primers for mags with a given load will boost pressures by 6%. So theoretically reduce by 6% with mag primers. 10% isnt a bad idea and will probably start you below your 'sweet spot'... I am a gunsmith and have seen the consequences of shooting lead in a glock factory barrel. Its not pretty and glock wont buy you a new pistol. Google "shooting lead in glocks" you will find stories and pictures supporting the reason why you shouldnt. better safe than sorry IMO...

10-16-2009, 07:07 PM	#2
JohnTheCalifornian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 431	Re: Mag primers? You are not supposed to shoot lead bullets through a Glock. Its in the owners manual. I dont know the exact reason why not to, just heard it had something to do with the rifling inside the barrel. You can shoot lead bullets if you have an aftermarket barrel installed such as ones from wolf. Judging from your post I do now know if you have a reloading manual. I suggest you buy Modern Reloading 2nd Edition by Richard Lee. In the book there is a whole chapter on how to reduce charges for cast bullets. Plus there is a wealth of information you should know before you attempt to reload. There are plenty of people on the forum who will help you in your quest to reload. Anything that you dont know come here and ask. No one will think your stupid and act like a jerk towards you for asking a question. And you can use the mag Primers, just have to start at the lowest level in the load data. Just know that the max load will be lower than whats stated becasue you are using a hotter primer. __________________ Im not a complete idiot.... parts are missing Last edited by JohnTheCalifornian; 10-16-2009 at 07:09 PM..

10-16-2009, 08:27 PM	#4
Chazz Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Mag primers? I know about the warnings re: lead. Actually, Glock says don't re-load at all. We all understand that, right? Nevertheless, I know that many do shoot lead through their Glocks - just keep the barrel clean, they say. I'm not trying to buck the system, I'm just following the advice of people who have been doing this a while. Hope I get more input. I really do appreciate the safety warnings.

10-16-2009, 08:58 PM	#5
JohnTheCalifornian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 431	Re: Mag primers? All gun manufactures say not to use reloaded ammo, will void their warranty. I dont know what powder WSW is, I suspect its Winchester but Im not 100% sure. Best advice I can give you is to reduce the charge by 10 to 12%. Start there. Look for signs of excessive pressure. Check your barrel to see how bad it was fouled. If all looks good, slowly work your way up, around .5grn increments til you get aload that functions the gun and gives you good accuracy. If you dont know what signs of excessive pressure are you really need to get a reloading manual. Thats Rule #1 of reloading and should not be broken. You do anything wrong it only takes one time to hurt yourself or someone by you. Something you can never take back. __________________ Im not a complete idiot.... parts are missing

10-17-2009, 12:49 AM	#6
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Mag primers? I'd use start a starting charge and work up....sorry for the generic answer. I guess I have to throw the Glock KB warning in here too, don't shoot lead in your glock. Just because others are doing it????? Come on brother! Normal cleaning does not "unlead" your glock barrel, its that simple. Lead will slowly build up and fatigue your barrel and you'll be overpressuring you chamber even with minimum loads. If you're a reloader you have some understanding of pressure; not something to be taken lightly! A barrel leading is going to slowly increase pressure independent of a specific "load" - so the data you are requesting really doesn't exist...............does it??? __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

10-17-2009, 07:43 AM	#7
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,294	Re: Mag primers? I interchange "Magnum" and regular all of the time with no negative effects that I can see. Primers have been scarce so I buy what is available. I really dislike my Glock 19 and will probably sell it, so it has never been shot with my LSWC reloads. My Kimber 1911 eats them with no problems that I can see. Now, I'm not saying that I'm right in what I'm doing, just no problems to date. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"*

10-16-2009, 05:37 PM	#1
Chazz Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Mag primers? I found some CCI magnum primers yesterday - not what I was looking for, but they were there and I was there and.... So - here's the question: the load I was thinking of for my Glock 20 is 6.4gr WSW with lead 180gr bullets, but with standard primers. What modification to the charge should I make to accomodate the mag. primers? I'm new, don't know nuthin' 'cept what I've read. Can someone help me out? -->

10-17-2009, 01:06 PM	#8
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Mag primers? At least one load manual I have states you can replace a regular primer with a mag primer by going back to the start load, reducing by 5% & then working up again watching for signs of overpressure.

10-18-2009, 04:24 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,309	Re: Mag primers? I too use mag primers in nearly everything. I have read that simply exchanging std. primers for mags with a given load will boost pressures by 6%. So theoretically reduce by 6% with mag primers. 10% isnt a bad idea and will probably start you below your 'sweet spot'... I am a gunsmith and have seen the consequences of shooting lead in a glock factory barrel. Its not pretty and glock wont buy you a new pistol. Google "shooting lead in glocks" you will find stories and pictures supporting the reason why you shouldnt. better safe than sorry IMO... __________________ 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!