ANSWERED - Can I use regular small pistol primers in .357 mag?

[Bullseye]

I normally load my .357 under max. About mid range+ loads anyway, and almost always use 158 gr bullets.
Couldn't find any CCI 550 sm mag pistol primers. (My favorite)
I picked up some regular Winchester brand and have some CCI 500 sm pistol primers on hand.
If I can use these for .357 without any issues, I'd like to know.
I searched the forum, I'm sure this has been asked before but I found nothing.
Thanks.

 

[sellersm]

It's the powder used that calls for a magnum primer. What powder are you planning on using?

 

[illinoisburt]

If you are going with 38 special level loads/easy to light powders then should not be an issue. Where the mag primers make a difference is the harder cups at higher pressure and a hotter spark for ball powders like 296/H110.

 

[Bullseye]

I generally use Unique but picked up a can of HP-38 today. ( just because it was there ) I still have Unique on hand too.

 

[zxcvbob]

Can I use regular small pistol primers in .357 mag?

For most powders, that's the preferred primer. H110 (aka W296) needs a magnum primer or a rifle primer, and a few other powders like HS6 benefit from it. The rest often do better with plain pistol primers.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I always use a small pistol primer in my 357, but I don't use the slower powders like H110

 

[Dudedog]

No problem with Unique or HP38, you really only need mag primers for powders that call for them ie H110/296.

 

[MEHavey]

For Unique & HP38/W231... regular primer No Problem

 

[2bfree]

I have loaded 357 using HP-38 and 158 gr bullets with CCI 500 with no problems. HP-38 is not the best powder for 357 but works ok for light to medium loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said already, a magnum primer is a function of the powder used in the .357 Magnum, not the cartridge itself. You only need a Magnum primer ignite hard to ignite slow ball powders like W296/H110, HS-7, HS-6 and the like.

I know it was already said above but I wanted to add my voice to assure you it's correct.

 

[Bullseye]

I got my answer then ..... From the finest. Thanks folks

 

[Walkalong]

Closed at OP's request.