primers for 45 acp? - The Firearms Forum

hunter29180 · 10-05-2011, 09:35 PM

was looking for used brass for a friend today..ran across a good deal, i thought. 500 cases for $20. ended up passing til i find out more about the primers. the brass i looked at today had 2 diffrent sizes of primer holes...really wasnt sure about that..is there 2 diffrent size primers in use for the 45 apc? if so what is the diffrence? (besides the primers) is one better then the other? or does it matter?

hate to pass up a deal but moneys tight and would hate to waste it on something he cant use...

308 at my gate · 10-05-2011, 10:11 PM

The only 45 acp brass that can be reloaded that I know about is with large pistol primers. You need to look down into the brass and see if it has a single flash hole or two flash holes.

Alpo · 10-05-2011, 10:25 PM

Most 45 ACP has Large Pistol primers.

Recently (within the last ten years or less) several manufacturers are making "non-toxic" ammo. This ammo uses a primer that does not have lead in it. For some reason, the new "lead-less" primers all seem to be Small Pistol size.

So, there is 45 ACP brass out there with Small Pistol primer pockets. Part of the headstamp should say NT (non-toxic).

From all I understand, they are perfectly reloadable, you just use Small instead of Large primers. The problem occurs when you have both types of brass. You have to segregate your brass, and if you miss one (or more) you find out when priming comes to a screeching halt as you try to shove a Large primer into a Small pocket.

Many people (me, for one) just throw them in the scrap bucket. I've got enough brass that it is not worth my time futzing with them.

Bindernut · 10-05-2011, 10:35 PM

And I'm one of those guys that keeps the small-primer .45ACP brass after I've sorted it out... We don't have much of it in my area yet but it is getting more common.
If I ever get a batch of 500 or so put together then I'll probably put them into circulation.

Call it a hunch but I suspect we will start seeing more of it and eventually small-primer .45 might even become more common than large-primer as the ammo makers cheapen production costs by standardizing small primers for more ammo. I wouldn't doubt they try doing it with rifle brass someday too.

LDBennett · 10-06-2011, 06:36 AM

I've seen pictures of some of this ECO brass that has a different sized flash hole. It is huge! I don't think I would reload that stuff.

LDBennett

Alpo · 10-06-2011, 07:01 AM

When Winchester first came out with it, they used Large Primers, but, as LD said, the flash hole was huge. I emailed Winchester and asked if it was safe to reload. They said it was. I only had a hundred rounds of it, so I chose to err on the side of caution, and didn't load it.

Call me chicken.

gun-nut · 10-06-2011, 07:44 AM

i reload the NT but i only use it if i go to an indoor range where all the brass ends up on the floor mixed up. that way i dont have to pick it up. let some one else deal with it LOL

Bindernut · 10-06-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

I've seen pictures of some of this ECO brass that has a different sized flash hole. It is huge! I don't think I would reload that stuff.

LDBennett

I've reloaded some of the early Speer and WW-NT small-primer brass after I found the first few. The WW-NT had a fairly large flash hole but the Speer was about normal size. Didn't notice any problems with the primers either flattening or backing out with either headstamp...but these weren't hot +P loads either, just standard (about 3/4-max) loads with cast lead.
The .45ACP isn't a real high-pressure cartridge so unless you're trying to load a super-major power factor type load then the flash hole isn't an issue.

I'm still sorting them out and aren't using them until I get a large enough batch that I can run just those for a session. That way I don't have to sort them again.

312shooter · 10-06-2011, 04:26 PM

Here's a thread about this topic that may offer additional info,.. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=74160

hunter29180 · 10-06-2011, 06:03 PM

Thanks 312shooter! good read and great info! I wont shy away fron those casings again. i will sort them out though!

mikld · 10-06-2011, 07:08 PM

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...l+primer+45ACP

Here's one thread on 45 ACP primers. Do a search for a bunch more...

10-05-2011, 09:35 PM	#1
hunter29180 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: in a motorhome where ever we park! Contributor Posts: 1,625	primers for 45 acp? was looking for used brass for a friend today..ran across a good deal, i thought. 500 cases for $20. ended up passing til i find out more about the primers. the brass i looked at today had 2 diffrent sizes of primer holes...really wasnt sure about that..is there 2 diffrent size primers in use for the 45 apc? if so what is the diffrence? (besides the primers) is one better then the other? or does it matter? hate to pass up a deal but moneys tight and would hate to waste it on something he cant use... -->

10-05-2011, 10:11 PM	#2
308 at my gate Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lost in SW USA. Posts: 847	Re: primers for 45 acp? The only 45 acp brass that can be reloaded that I know about is with large pistol primers. You need to look down into the brass and see if it has a single flash hole or two flash holes. __________________ You got to love it.

10-05-2011, 10:25 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: primers for 45 acp? Most 45 ACP has Large Pistol primers. Recently (within the last ten years or less) several manufacturers are making "non-toxic" ammo. This ammo uses a primer that does not have lead in it. For some reason, the new "lead-less" primers all seem to be Small Pistol size. So, there is 45 ACP brass out there with Small Pistol primer pockets. Part of the headstamp should say NT (non-toxic). From all I understand, they are perfectly reloadable, you just use Small instead of Large primers. The problem occurs when you have both types of brass. You have to segregate your brass, and if you miss one (or more) you find out when priming comes to a screeching halt as you try to shove a Large primer into a Small pocket. Many people (me, for one) just throw them in the scrap bucket. I've got enough brass that it is not worth my time futzing with them. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-05-2011, 10:35 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: primers for 45 acp? And I'm one of those guys that keeps the small-primer .45ACP brass after I've sorted it out... We don't have much of it in my area yet but it is getting more common. If I ever get a batch of 500 or so put together then I'll probably put them into circulation. Call it a hunch but I suspect we will start seeing more of it and eventually small-primer .45 might even become more common than large-primer as the ammo makers cheapen production costs by standardizing small primers for more ammo. I wouldn't doubt they try doing it with rifle brass someday too.

10-06-2011, 06:36 AM	#5
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: primers for 45 acp? I've seen pictures of some of this ECO brass that has a different sized flash hole. It is huge! I don't think I would reload that stuff. LDBennett

10-06-2011, 07:01 AM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: primers for 45 acp? When Winchester first came out with it, they used Large Primers, but, as LD said, the flash hole was huge. I emailed Winchester and asked if it was safe to reload. They said it was. I only had a hundred rounds of it, so I chose to err on the side of caution, and didn't load it. Call me chicken. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-06-2011, 07:44 AM	#7
gun-nut Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ohio Contributor Posts: 931	Re: primers for 45 acp? i reload the NT but i only use it if i go to an indoor range where all the brass ends up on the floor mixed up. that way i dont have to pick it up. let some one else deal with it LOL __________________ Don't retreat just reload.

10-06-2011, 04:26 PM	#9
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: primers for 45 acp? Here's a thread about this topic that may offer additional info,.. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=74160 __________________ "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

10-06-2011, 06:03 PM	#10
hunter29180 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: in a motorhome where ever we park! Contributor Posts: 1,625	Re: primers for 45 acp? Thanks 312shooter! good read and great info! I wont shy away fron those casings again. i will sort them out though!

10-06-2011, 07:08 PM	#11
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: primers for 45 acp? http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...l+primer+45ACP Here's one thread on 45 ACP primers. Do a search for a bunch more... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.