Have a recipe for AA#9 in .357 Mag that calls for magnum primers which in current climate are scarce to say the least. Is it a bad idea to use small rifle primers instead. I have tried regular small pistol primers and it was unacceptable . I'm using WC-820 powder that uses AA#9 data. I have WSP primers WSR primers and CCI #41 SR primers on hand.
Primer Q?
- Thread starter gns4me
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AJC1
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In magnum loadings it doesn't make a huge difference... I tested cci srp and srpm and had almost no change... I was a grain off of maximum loads of 4227.
N555
Member
I only use small rifle primers in my 357 mag loads.
Hugger-4641
Member
The biggest difference is the cups are harder on the small rifle primers , CCI 41's are even harder as they are designed to prevent slam fires in auto rifles like the m4/Ar15.
If your firing pin is in really good condition, the 41's may work, but it will wear your firing pin out a little sooner.
If your firing pin is in really good condition, the 41's may work, but it will wear your firing pin out a little sooner.
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1-cavediver
Member
Over the years I have interchanged SP and SPM primers and found little to no difference in velocity, accuracy and reliability. But I’m an old guy who’s been reloading a long time so my opinion isn’t really worth much.
I have used small rifle primers in nearly every caliber/gun/load I have that used small pistol primers. But I did a load workup with the first loads and worked up if needed. Can't remember any "Huge, stellar" differences in performance. I have been using WC820n in my 44 Magnums for about 25 years and found it isn't real picky about primers. I may have used standard instead of magnum primers, but don't remember any difference...
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.38 Special
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I'm slightly surprised that non-magnum primers didn't do the job. Regardless, there's no real issue in substituting small rifle primers. Just make sure the gun will set them off - assuming it is stock, it should - and as always, start low and work back up.
Jonny2guns
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Actually your opinion is worth the most, especially as I'm an old guy who has been loading a while and have the exact same results.
barnfrog
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I agree. There are plenty of folks who don't value the opinion of their elders, but it's worth is greater than they realize.
RainDodger
Member
Heh. I echo 1-cavediver. I'm even in Idaho also, and I'm old. Kind of. I've used hundreds if not thousands of SP primers in place of magnum primers many times. I've seen no difference.
Hugger-4641
Member
I think the Op was asking also about using small rifle primers instead of pistol primers. I would use up the wsp and wsr before I gambled on the CCI 41's .
ArchAngelCD
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It is safe to use a SRP in place.of a SPM primer. Give them a try and see if they are acceptable to you in your gun.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I have successfully tested the CCI #41 in .357Mag and .357Max. For .38Spl it was more of a no-go: there were signs the pressure of the primer was pushing the bullet out of the case before the powder built pressure. All of my Colts set off the primer and there were no signs of light strikes so hardness/thickness isn't' an issue. Brisance is the problem. I was testing .38Spl with Bullseye, Red Dot, IMR 700X, and No.2 (old batch), under a 160gr. #358311 (Lintotype). .32H&R was even worse - unburned powder and keyholing - so bad I only tried Red Dot and skipped the rest. In .357Mag I tried 2400, IMR 4227, No.7, and No.4100. I did not try No.9 (not one of my favorites for .357Mag.) No problems and I really couldn't tell a difference between #41 and SPM, both CCI. i didn't run them over a chronograph since this was just function testing. Based on groups, blast and recoil, there's probably no real, appreciable gain or loss in velocity.
kalielkslayer
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I’ve used small rifle instead of small pistol in 9mm and didn’t notice a difference.
But it sounds like your load calls for a SPPM? The small rifle primer isn’t any hotter than the SPP. But I understand the CCI #41s are equal to a magnum small rifle primer so that may be the way to go, if your gun will consistently ignite them.
But it sounds like your load calls for a SPPM? The small rifle primer isn’t any hotter than the SPP. But I understand the CCI #41s are equal to a magnum small rifle primer so that may be the way to go, if your gun will consistently ignite them.
Engineer1911
member
I have not had any powder ignition problems with AA #9, Win 296, or Hodgdon H100 using standard Winchester primers for 357 mag or 44 mag loads. I used to use magnum pistol primers until I ran out 20 years ago and never bothered to buy more. I started this silliness in 1975 at age 28, so I guess I'm another old guy.
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