Mag primers in place of Std primers.

[jeeptim]

So here's me deal,,,
I have a boat load of CCI small rifle Mag primers that i would like to use in 223 55gr fmj over
BLC-2. Should I drop the powder by a few gr. Is it even safe?
Thanx

 

[JimKirk]

Unless you are running a full blown maximum load ... you will see very little difference between them ... may 20/30 fps .... So it depend on what load you are loading now.

 

[jeeptim]

Thsts kinda what I was thinking.
thanx for thr confirmation.

 

[Walkalong]

You might find that BLC-2 likes those mag primers.

 

[Dudedog]

I agree, unless you are at the top of the load range it should not be an issue.
As Walkalong mentioned Ball powders sometimes prefer the hotter primer.

I had good results with BLC(2) in .223 using Tula 5.56 primers. (SRM)
I prefer the slightly harder mag primers for use in my Mini14/AR.

 

[W.E.G.]

100% safe.

I chronographed several powders using standard and magnum primers respectively in 5.56, and I saw ZERO quantifiable difference velocity.

I defy anybody to furnish a scientific study that shows that ammunition loaded with magnum small rifle primers generates any difference (higher or lower) pressure.

The only quantifiable difference that I've ever seen is the fact that the brass primer cup used in magnum small rifle primers is generally 0.002" to 0.005" THICKER than the standard variety.

 

[jeeptim]

W.E.G and the rest thank you..

 

[spitballer]

There was an interesting article in the annual Hodgdon reloading manual (may Have been last year) about the differences between std and mag primers with .223 rounds. The upshot from what I can gather is that mag primers are better suited for ball powders and the standard primers are better suited for the stick powders. I don't have the manual with me at the moment but as I recall the anecdotal data showed standard primers producing higher velocities with stick powders, a surprise to me. An article well worth reading if you reload for .223



found it - 2015 Hodgdon Annual Reloading Manual p. 63

 

[Schwing]

I don't want to hijack the thread but it is on topic.

How many of you would feel comfortable buying large pistol magnum primers for use in non-magnum loads simply because they are much cheaper? I recently saw some CCI and Federal Large Pistol Magnum primers for like $18 per 1k.

For me, I have used magnum primers in standard loads many times but just could not bring myself to buy several thousand knowing they would never be used in magnum loads.

 

[JimKirk]

I would ... as long as you develop your load using the magnum primer ... you'd be plumb fine....

Many folks have a real misunderstanding about Magnum primers ... they are not nuclear materials ....

 

[jeeptim]

Schwing funny you should mention that. .
that is zackly how I got the mag primers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would use nothing but magnums primers in the 223 especially with a ball powder.

 

[gotboostvr]

Heck, I've taken it one step further and used small rifle primers where small (standard) pistol primers are called for.
It was in lighter plinking level 38 specials with light charges of RedDot.

Worked perfectly fine.

I'd carefully work up full snot magnums when switching primers.

 

[X-Ring]

I have been using CCI small pistol magnum primers in 38Spl +P loads for 30 years and never had the slightest indication of a problem.

 

[Ifishsum]

I prefer magnum primers for BL-C(2) and most other ball powders, regardless of the cartridge. If you were at the bleeding edge of maximum it's always prudent to back off when substituting anything at all - but otherwise it's pretty much a non-issue.