Large Pistol Primers for BP Loads

[Chief TC]

That one caught me by surprise until I remembered Powder Inc includes the shipping and hazmat fees in the price.

true, but look for when they discount the hazmat fee. always harder to buy through the internet sites than in store but they run specials all the time

 

[hawg]

true, but look for when they discount the hazmat fee. always harder to buy through the internet sites than in store but they run specials all the time

I like Powder Inc. That's where I buy my bp. I've never bought smokeless or primers from them. I can find those cheaper locally.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I use Winchester, because that is what I have had on hand for years now.

I use them because I think the brassy color looks cool.

 

[whughett]

That one caught me by surprise until I remembered Powder Inc includes the shipping and hazmat fees in the price.

My error. Powder Valley.
2pounds of powder an a K of primers.
This sport is becoming expensive.

 

[Chief TC]

Update. I was able to get Federal LP match primers from Powder Valley at a great price without the hazmat fee. I used them in my 45-70 Trapdoor and they performed equally to the WLR primers I have been using. Still need to try in my Sharps rifles.

 

[Roverguy]

Asking for opinions on this topic is like lighting a powder trail to the armory. Many people have several conflicting opinions on the topic let alone amongst each other.

BP is easily ignited and once ignited is extremely fast burning, thus why percussion caps will successfully ignite 90 grs charges in a front stuffer. LP primers work well in 45-70. So do LR primers. Work with what you’ve got and good luck.

 

[Chief TC]

Asking for opinions on this topic is like lighting a powder trail to the armory. Many people have several conflicting opinions on the topic let alone amongst each other.

BP is easily ignited and once ignited is extremely fast burning, thus why percussion caps will successfully ignite 90 grs charges in a front stuffer. LP primers work well in 45-70. So do LR primers. Work with what you’ve got and good luck.

Crazy how unique each rifle can be. Don't know until you try. But ain't adding a wad to use LP primers. Hate adding steps.

 

[The old gunsmith]

I have been successfully using WLR primers in all my TD and Sharps 45-70 BP loads. I have read many folks use LP primers. I am interested to know from BP shooters here if they have experiences and opinions using these. Also, if I have great loads with WLR, is there still a reason to experiment with LP primers. Thanks.

Large pistol primers are a little shorter than large rifle primers. Depending on how much firing pin protrusion your rifle has will dictate how reliably the primers are ignited.

 

[Risky buisness]

For years I've read about guys using pistol primers for BP loads, I never heard about any blowups or at least no one admitted to it. While tinkering is a reloaders delight, I tend to keep standards, well, standard. I'm certain a LP primer would lite off a charge if not heavily compressed but I don't care for a delay or something like that to happen. So I use standard LR primers, no softener tissue to impede ignition, I want them to light off unimpeded. And it's worked for years for me.

 

[hawg]

Large rifle primers are harder than pistol primers and pistol primers are a little shorter than rifle primers. Both may lead to problems.

 

[Chief TC]

Yes. All seems to be a thing that it may work well for some but poorly for others. I was able to talk to a competitive BP shooter and he said it is something to try and it MAY work well for some. His advice was try and if they don’t perform as well as LR then don’t use them. He has one rifle that LP works well. They worked fine in my 1888 Trapdoor. Still need to try in my 45-70 and 45-90 Sharps rifles.