Magnum Primers

[gkdir]

What experience do you all have, using "magnum primers, in standard case cartridges. Benefits, variables,problems, etc. Thanks
G

 

[Wil Terry]

YOUR question is far too nebulous to engender a meaningful response. GENERALLY, they are NOT needed in any " standard case cartridges ", whatever that might mean.

 

[Dunkelheit]

They work well but are not necessary. As long as they are more expensive than standard primers it is pointless to use them.

 

[jcwit]

I use them interchangably with std. primers except for target ammo which gets the primers ment for said caliber. I also interchange srp for spp, not the other way around with no problems. I seldom if ever load to max, I load for accuracy and to keep arthur under control in my wrists.

Never ever do this with lpp or lrp.

 

[buck460XVR]

Just because a cartridge name has the word "Magnum" in it doesn't necessarily mean one needs to use magnum primers in it. It is more dependent upon the powders you use. Some powders need magnum primers to ignite properly and many don't. Best way to know is to follow the recipe in your load manual. In most cases one can use a magnum primer when a standard primer is called for by reducing the load a titch, but not the other way around...again, because some powders NEED a magnum primer to ignite properly. Where I'm at, magnum primers are the same cost as standard primers. I still follow the recipes in my manuals tho, figuring they know better than I do.

 

[Grumulkin]

As others noted, not even "magnum" cartridges always require magnum primers.

There was an article in Handloader Magazine a couple of years ago in which the author tested various primers, cases and bullets for accuracy in 308 Winchester loads. If I remember correctly, the powder used was Varget. In any case, the best accuracy was obtained with CCI 250 (large rifle magnum) primers.

I've tried CCI 250 primers in 44 Magnum cartridges and there was no accuracy advantage at least with H110. It so happens though that CCI 250 primers gave me the best accuracy with IMR 4227 (not a ball powder) in a 357 Herrett which is not a big cartridge. I've also tried magnum primers in various other nonmagnum rifle cartridges and generally I've found no advantage in doing so.

I load my 7mm Remington Magnum with RL-22 over Federal 210M primers which are not magnum primers.

In smaller cartridges like the 44 Magnum, using CCI 250 primers did necessitate my decreasing my H110 load by 1.5 to 2 grains but in larger cartridges made to use rifle primers I haven't had to decrease powder charges. Of course, the loads are worked in my usual cautious fashion. I wouldn't take magnum primers and test them in loads already on the ragged edge of excess pressure.

 

[Hondo 60]

As long as you are not using a MAX load, magnum primers are just fine.

My LGS has Fed small pistol magnums for $24.95/1000 & standard sm pistol of all brands for $29.99/1000
So I just opt for the magnums.

If you've worked up a load, you may need to do it again.

Stay safe!

 

[NCsmitty]

My rule of thumb is to use magnum primers if I'm using a ball (spherical) powder, regardless of case capacity. Ball powders can be harder to ignite, especially in colder climates. You can gain more consistency between shots under those conditions. I also use magnum primers when using over 70gr of powder in large capacity rounds, whatever the powder.
As always, all loads should be worked up from a reasonable start load to assure a safe load.

I've heard that some of the newer ball powders from Accurate/Ramshot work well with standard primers, but I haven't tried them much.

Standard primers with extruded or flake powders usually are fine.


NCsmitty

 

[RalphS]

I tested magnum and standard Federal Primers with the same (near max) H110 load in 45LC (Ruger load). I got about 1% more velocity with magnum primers. That is statistically insignificant. I do my H110 load testing with magnum primers but would not hesitate to use regular primers with the loads.

IMO magnum primers should really be called "cold weather primers". I live in South Florida where there is no cold weather so maybe that's why I don't see any difference.

 

[gamestalker]

I substituted with standard primers for both magnum handgun and magnum high powered rifle listed a magnum primer as per SAMMI recomendation. This was the first time I have ever stepped outside the published data and only did so because of the shortage of reloading components at the time and the result was terrible performance. I had gobbs of unburned and still burning powder blowing back in my face, and some uncomfortably high pressure signs as well. It should also be noted that I only load with the slowest of burning powders which iften consume 90% or more of the case capacity so I'm guessing that the hotter flash and longer duration is necessary when using a powder charge that is nearly compressed, or in fact is compressed.
So in my opinion, don't substitute published/SAMMI data. It has been developed with stringent guidlines, and is based on specific component function, one of which is primer type used during developement and testing.

 

[Grumulkin]

I substituted with standard primers for both magnum handgun and magnum high powered rifle listed a magnum primer as per SAMMI recomendation. This was the first time I have ever stepped outside the published data and only did so because of the shortage of reloading components at the time and the result was terrible performance. I had gobbs of unburned and still burning powder blowing back in my face, and some uncomfortably high pressure signs as well. It should also be noted that I only load with the slowest of burning powders which iften consume 90% or more of the case capacity so I'm guessing that the hotter flash and longer duration is necessary when using a powder charge that is nearly compressed, or in fact is compressed.
So in my opinion, don't substitute published/SAMMI data. It has been developed with stringent guidlines, and is based on specific component function, one of which is primer type used during developement and testing.

That must have been a very traumatic experience but exciting as well. In some way I feel cheated since in all my primer switching and loading for 30+ different cartridges I've never had such an exciting time even with ball powders or compressed charges. I would have thought that my very compressed H114/Win. 760 load I use in my 222 should have caused bunches of flames and burning powder blowing out the barrel since I only used standard primers with it but, regrettably, this wasn't the case. It didn't even happen with my 7mm Remington Magnum I use standard primers with.

Also, I've heard of SAAMI but never of SAMMI. SAAMI standardizes pressures for various commercial loads but, as far as I know, has nothing to do with making recommendations on primer types. Perhaps you have a web address for SAMMI so I can research this further?

 

[DM~]

I substituted with standard primers for both magnum handgun and magnum high powered rifle listed a magnum primer as per SAMMI recomendation. This was the first time I have ever stepped outside the published data and only did so because of the shortage of reloading components at the time and the result was terrible performance. I had gobbs of unburned and still burning powder blowing back in my face, and some uncomfortably high pressure signs as well. It should also be noted that I only load with the slowest of burning powders which iften consume 90% or more of the case capacity so I'm guessing that the hotter flash and longer duration is necessary when using a powder charge that is nearly compressed, or in fact is compressed.
So in my opinion, don't substitute published/SAMMI data. It has been developed with stringent guidlines, and is based on specific component function, one of which is primer type used during developement and testing.

I have heard of that happening before, although it hasn't happen to me in the 40 + years i've been reloading. Then again, i believe in sticking to the primer reccomended for the load i'm useing.

DM

 

[Funshooter45]

I use what the manuals say to use. In some cases, there is conflicting information. In general though, I use magnum primers for spherical powders and mostly standard primers for extruded powders. For pistols, that means I go to magnum primers when using W-296/H-110, LilGun, and Enforcer. I use standard primers for the other pistol powders. For rifles I try to follow the same logic. Generally, I use std rifle primers for all my stick powders. Almost. For instance in the Speer manual, they call for magnum primers in all their spherical powders such as Big Game and Hunter and TAC and W780, which I use a lot of. So, when I developed those loads I used magnum primers. But when you look in the Ramshot manual, they only call for std primers in .243 and .308 for their powders, yet they call for mag primers in .270 WSM and 7 MM Mag using some of the same powders.

Bottom line is pay attention to what primers you use when you develop the loads and don't change in mid stream unless you go back to the beginning and develop the load again. I try to stick to my own rule though and use magnums for ball powders, std for non spherical powders. Except for some reason I developed all my 7 mm mag loads with mag primers regardless of powders. So I stick with them.

 

[mgmorden]

My LGS has Fed small pistol magnums for $24.95/1000 & standard sm pistol of all brands for $29.99/1000

Why does the retail situation around me have to be so bad? I can't find a single shop within 100 miles of me that has primers for any less than $39.99/1000.

 

[jcwit]

Paid to stock up years ago, I'm still using primers I paid $10.00 bucks a thousand.

 

[gamestalker]

Grumulkin, it was anything but exciting, unless you are fond of hot burning powder blowing into your face. Regarding my type O with the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute abreviation ( SAAMI ), I'm just glad that it didn't cause you any confusion as to there being some other organization that tests and detremines safe operating guidlines for firearms and related components. My personal opinion, keep doing what works for you, and I'll continue sticking to, and recomending to other's who inquire, to follow data that has been tested, and approved by SAAMI.
A good number of hand loaders are not effected by substituting standard primers for magnums, and likely one of the reasons is the powder they are using. Another factor is the primer brand. There are as many loads that indicate a magnum primer, as there are those that don't, and the common factor is the powder burn rate and the primer brand. Winchester standard primers indicate they are acceptable for both applications, where as CCI dosen't? And since I use CCI 99% of the time I'm guessing that is at least one reason why I have experienced the issues as described above. I have some Winchester standard primers I'm sure and I'll have to give that a try to see if it is a factor or not.
Many of us have our own style of hand loading which for the most part is some where within the data published by the powder, primer, bullet, and brass manufacturer's in conjunction with SAAMI guidlines. If someone KB's their firearm there is a better than 99% chance it was the result of them failing to follow those well tested and and established guidlines.

 

[Sunray]

Magnum primers have nothing whatever to do with the case or the calibre. They are about the powder used. They burn a bit hotter for a bit longer and are for lighting hard to ignite powders and cold weather shooting.
Unless your manual says to use 'em for a particular powder, you don't need 'em. CCI "milspec" primers are just magnum primers. You don't need them for any milsurp rifle either.

 

[gamestalker]

+1 Sunray! I use what the data says to use and call it good.