Magnum Primers?

[Olympus]

I'm having a hard time locating regular pistol primers in my area, but have found an abundance of "magnum" primers. Small Pistol Magnum and Large Pistol Magnum. I can't seem to find any load information in my books for using magnum primers for calibers like 9mm, .45ACP, and .38 Special. I know the magnum primers will likely increase pressures, but are they safe to use in my reloads which are already extremely light?

For reference, here are my recipes for bulk plinking ammo:
9mm - 125gr lead bullet with 4.3gr of Win231 (Just enough to cycle my slides. Any limp-wristing will cause a stovepipe.)

.45ACP - 185gr lead SWC with 5.0gr of Bullseye

.38 Special - 158gr lead bullet with 3.0gr of Bullseye

 

[jwrowland77]

I haven't tried it, but in all the reading and research I've done on here and other areas, since you're loading on the light end, the difference will be minimal. I'm sure someone will be along shortly though to say for sure.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I doubt using magnum primers will affect any of your loads. I'm not looking to see what is book max for your three loads but if you are already at or below 90% then just throw the magnum primers into the mix. If you are above 90%, just reduce to that and do a few work-up loads to confirm their safety.

 

[Olympus]

In terms of the Lyman book, my loads are within 0.1 to 0.3 of the starting load. The 9mm load is right at what it takes to cycle a slide with a fresh recoil spring. Going .1 lower will not cycle the slide.

Same for the 3.0 Bullseye on the .38. That's a very mild load. It might even be the exact starting load in my book.

Cant remember right off hand, but the .45 recipe should be very near the start too.

 

[chris in va]

I've substituted standard for magnum a few times, really didn't notice a difference.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As long as you're not bumping up against the pressure limits already there's no reason not to use a magnum primer in your ammo if no other primers are available. Magnum primers will burn a little hotter for a little longer. They will not create a nuclear explosion.

Here is an example, a while back Winchester stopped making standard and magnum LPP and the large pistol primer they now produce is rated for both standard and magnum loads. Not many reloaders noticed the change and many used the same exact load while using a magnum primer and never noticed the difference.

BTW, you will fins one of these threads every week so if you want to read a lot on this just do a search...