CCI vs Winchester Small Pistol Primers. - Interchangeable?
- Thread starter jrehfuss
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JohnhenrySTL
Member
I'm not sure about hot, but I have heard some talk that Winchester small standard pistol primers will suffice for recipes that call for magnum primers. Where I get confused is why then does winchester make magnum small pistol primers.
Also, I have read somewhere that CCI primers have a harder body, and federal primers are the most sensitive.
Also, I have read somewhere that CCI primers have a harder body, and federal primers are the most sensitive.
bbqreloader
Member
I dont know about hot either. But I have used both and I prefer the CCI. Have more troubles seating winchester, especially in their own brass. Have used winchester just in my 9's and now use SB. Save the CCI's for my 40's.
bbqreloader
Member
I have not seen a difference between the loads I have shot, but realistically I would need to chrono them to see if there was. Wait and see if some of the more experienced guys chime in, they will have a better answer for ya!
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JohnhenrySTL
Member
Well I have read Federal primers are more sensative and ignite easier. I guess that could make them more explosive. As far as what could produce more pressure amongst standard primers I have heard Winchester standard primers can be interchanged with magnum primers.
I have never used Federal primers. I've used CCI, Tula, Remington, and Winchester primers. They have worked great for my standard pistol loadings. I've never hardly noticed any difference between them. I would say for my purposes they are interchangeable.
However I'm certain in experience beyond mine, each may do better than the other in intended loadings.
I have never used Federal primers. I've used CCI, Tula, Remington, and Winchester primers. They have worked great for my standard pistol loadings. I've never hardly noticed any difference between them. I would say for my purposes they are interchangeable.
However I'm certain in experience beyond mine, each may do better than the other in intended loadings.
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JohnhenrySTL
Member
As far as seating primers goes, I can only tell you I at times clean primer pockets even with pistol brass. I prime by hand, it seems to work with all I've tried.
My guess would be, without knowing the load, the primers are interchangeable. They have been in my experience.
However if I was maxing out a load, or loading anything above the middle, I would work up slowly if anything changed, including primer brand.
My guess would be, without knowing the load, the primers are interchangeable. They have been in my experience.
However if I was maxing out a load, or loading anything above the middle, I would work up slowly if anything changed, including primer brand.
jolly roger
Member
Federal are not more "explosive" just softer cup metal. They DO go off better than CCIs in guns with tuned triggers such as PPC revolvers. Otherwise use interchangeably with CCI and Winchester. Just small pistol for small pistol and not switching with magnums or small rifles and u will be fine. Reloading for 35 years btw
shootniron
Member
What he said...
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Not true for the Winchester SPP but the Winchester Large Pistol Primers are rated for both standard and Magnum loads. It says it right on the box.
As for using CCI or Win SPP interchangeably, yes you can. If your load is right up against the max pressure limits of course drop back a little and work back up like you would if you change any component. Each company's primers are similar in burn rate but if course not exactly the same. The good thing is primer brand is least important with handgun ammo, slightly more important with rifle ammo and mandatory with shot shells.
I use mostly CCI and Win SPP and I can't tell the difference if you paid me...
I have seen small velocity differences when switching primers, so, as ArchAngelCD suggested, when at max back off a couple of tenths and start from there. Off hand I don't remember between Win SP and CCI SP primers as far as which one is "hotter". It won't be a big difference though.
Wis-Harpo
Member
To change the post a little bit, I bought a brick of CCI SPP some time ago. When I was doing inventory to see what I was lacking, I found out that the SPP were Magnum Primers. Somehow I bought the wrong primers. I bought them because some time ago I bought 500 once fired .45 Auto cases at a Gun Show, and in the middle of the bag were about 175 SMALL primed cases. I figured by the time the small primed shells were lost, the 1000 count brick would be used up.
The question is, can they be used in my .45 S&W M&P safely with reduced loads behind either Berry's 185 RNHB, 200 SWC, and 230 RN plated bullets???
The question is, can they be used in my .45 S&W M&P safely with reduced loads behind either Berry's 185 RNHB, 200 SWC, and 230 RN plated bullets???
Kevin Rohrer
Member
Unless you want to punch tiny holes in paper or creatures that are far away, there is no difference between different makes of primers as long as you don't mix rifle for pistol.
Wis-Harpo
Member
Now that it is possible to use Magnum SPP in the 45ACP, are there any loads available ? I have Win231, Longshot, and Tightgroup ( which I assume is out of the question to use ). Is there a standard percentage to reduce the loading ?
ArchAngelCD
Member.
When I use a magnum primer in place of a standard primer in handgun ammo is see very little difference in velocity. If you are charging 5.0 to 5.5gr W231 in a 45 Auto case you may not need to reduce the charge or only need to reduce .1 or at most .2 grains.
With a 230gr bullet I usually charge .5.5gr W231 in the 45 Auto. When I switched to a Winchester LPP which is rated for both standard and magnum loads I did not need to reduce the load for it to generated similar velocities as with CCI LPP. I did drop back and work back up as you should when changing any component.
Barrelgal
Member
I've always backed my charge down a tad when changing to a different primer, but this is because I'm a full pressure type of gal. I load everything to produce typical full pressure performance, so I don't like risking an over pressure event. But if what you're loading are mild to moderate pressure loads I see little reason to be concerned.
I generally use CCI's for everything, but on occasion I have substituted with Winchester. I know I've seen Win primers when loading 38/357 that were labeled for standard and magnum applications, in that case I would expect they're a bit hotter.
BG
I generally use CCI's for everything, but on occasion I have substituted with Winchester. I know I've seen Win primers when loading 38/357 that were labeled for standard and magnum applications, in that case I would expect they're a bit hotter.
BG
shooter1
Member
I recently ran a SPMP and SPP test using the same load. Only the primer was changed. Powders used were: Promo/Clays/WW231, 9mm mixed cases, and 125gn RMR plated bullets. These were my minor loads, making a 130-135 power factor. Over the chrono, there was no practical difference in velocity. On some strings, the standard primers turned in a couple FPS higher than the magnums. Sometimes it was the magnums over the standards. My conclusions: The small variables such as case volume and charge weight variances involved in the loading process, are as, or more, significant than any differences in primer burn.
This was a totally unscientific test, draw your own conclusions as you will. Better yet do some testing on your own. It would be interesting to see how they compare with my results.
str1
This was a totally unscientific test, draw your own conclusions as you will. Better yet do some testing on your own. It would be interesting to see how they compare with my results.
str1
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree like I mentioned in Post #21. Thanks for adding your results.
kerreckt
Member
I have used both interchangeably for many years and have never notice any difference.
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