45 ACP With small primers?

[sta500rdr]

I have some winchester brass that has small pistol primers. All other 45 ACP brass takes large pistol primers. I read the box, it says that winchester uses them to achieve the ultimate sensitivity or something like that. But it also says they do not recommend reloading 45 with small pistol primers. Anyone done this? Do they say that just because its something out of the ordinary? I have a lot of this brass, I kind of hate to toss it. Lemme know what you guys think.

 

[Jim Watson]

Does it have an NT in the headstamp? That indicates lead free primers, they use the small primer size because that is all you need of the hot Dinol mix.

They load just fine with standard small pistol primers, I got 25-40 fps less than with standard cases and large pistol primers in four different loads. You can use a small pistol magnum primer or a little heavier powder charge if you want to make up the difference, as long as you are below maximum.

I don't know what Winchester has against reloading them, the only risk I know of is the chance of getting small mixed with large in the feed to a progressive loader. That is a mess.

 

[sta500rdr]

That was all I could come up with as well. I'll give them a shot. As long as you pay attention, I don't see an issue with it either. I usually end up losing most of my brass anyway after I shoot it, my 45 really likes to launch it so I may only get a single reload out of it.

 

[ReloaderFred]

This has been covered many times here on THR. They load just like any other .45acp brass, with the exception of taking a small pistol primer instead of a large pistol primer. Just load, shoot and repeat as necessary.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[bullseye308]

Segregate the brass, color the headstampe with a sharpie, and drop a large tarp on the ground before you shoot. It's all good.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Jim has the answer right there for you. It's Winchester's lead free primer ammo. Like said above, it's the same brass as other Win .45 Auto brass with the exception of the primer size. It's fine for reloading...