Primer notation

There are large pistol and small pistol primers--------------also there are SP and LP magnum primers. You want to use large pistol in the 45 colt. I suggest you reread the priming section of your reloading manuals. Keep it safe.

For a new guy starting out hunt up the Large Pistol Primers, after you have a few thousand miles under your belt and have done alot of reading and studing of various manuals the try some experimenting.

Welcome to the world of reloading.

.45 colt starline brass that states it is to be used with "large pistol primers." I go to the store and no such thing exists, but there are "magnum pistol primers."

Click to expand...

There are 4 sizes and types of primers commonly used in boxer primed cases. Large and small in pisotl and rifle primers. The selection of which primer size depends upon the size of the primer pocket in the brass. For your .45 Colt brass you need a lagre pistol primer which is the size and its stated on every box of primers what size they are. A small primer will not work in a large primer pocket any more than a 1/8" bolt will work with a 1/4" nut and the reverse is also true. You need to buy the correct size and type of primer as specified in the load data you are using to reload your cases.

Magnum primers are a "hotter" primer that used to produce more flame to ignight powders that are harder to set off OR for use in really cold weather. There are magnum large and small rifle and pistol primers. Magnum primers can be used for standard load but as with any component you need to work the load up from the start level. The hoter primer can increase pressures with some powder significantly.

While both large pistol and rifle primers are of the same diameter they are not interchangeable as the rifle primer is a bit taller and will sick out beyond the base of the case if seated in a pistol case. Small pistol and rifle primers are the same size but the rifle primers have a thicker cup and take a stronger hit from a firing pin to set off so they're not reliable in all handguns and are used only by some relaoders for specialy ammo in handguns.

I have to wonder here if #shooter might have ran across some Winchester large pistol primers for magnum or standard loads.

http://www.winchester.com/PRODUCTS/CATALOG/components/dataprimers.aspx
http://www.federalpremium.com/ammunition_catalog/components.aspx
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/primers/default.aspx
Wolf and Magtech primers are out there too, they are of similar sizes as the above, info on the web, from the Mfgs., is limited.

Jimmy K.

Thats what makes reloading manuals a hobby in itself. I've been handloading over 50 years and collecting load manuals even longer. I did not grow up with television, my alone time was spent reading and load manuals are my favorite reading material. ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are 4 types of primers.
1. Small Pistol
2. Large Pistol
3. Small Rifle
4. Large Rifle

They all come in either "standard" or "Magnum" versions. Winchester Large Pistol primers say "for Standard or Magnum Loads" so they are interchangable. Only if the powder you are using states that a magnum primer is needed, then just use standard primers.