Reloading for 450 Bushmaster - magnum primers, or not?

[rbernie]

Some folk seem to use regular SR primers for 450 Bushy and seem pretty OK with the results, while other folk tell me that I must use SRM primers - because 'you always gotta use magnum primers with magnum pistol ball powders', while the published Hodgdon data fudges the question by using the Winchester SR - the hottest known SR primers, half a step between regular primers and magnum primers. <sigh>

I'm gathering my consumables to run my first batch of handloads, and can't decide if a magnum primer is a good idea or not. Of course, I don't have any CCI 450 or similar - I only have CCI 400's.

Does anyone have any experience with primer selection for 450 Bushy?

 

[MEHavey]

Gas gun?
CCI-41 -- moot point thereafter.

Bolt ?
FED-Mag for ball, FED-Std everything else.

 

[Targa]

I am using CCI 450’s for my 450 Bushmaster loads but to be honest I have so many magnum primers that I pretty much use them regardless if the powder requires it or not.

I believe the Winchester SR primers are multipurpose.

 

[mcb]

I have been using Winchester Small Rifle primers for all my 450 Bushmaster loads without issue.

 

[Toprudder]

“Magnum Pistol powders”.

Yes, you must use magnum pistol primers for certain powders, like H110. But regular small rifle primers are close to small pistol magnum primers. You would use small pistol magnum primers with H110 in 357mag, but you would use regular small rifle primers with H110 in 30 carbine.

(Reference the online Hodgdon data for 30carb and 357mag).

 

[AJC1]

I would test, not guess. If your running ball powder, just go mag. If your running extruded or flake then regular should be fine. Test both and choose what works better. They cost about the same.

 

[FROGO207]

I also have migrated to using mostly magnum primers and working my load up. If you plan on using them in really cold weather and ball powder always use magnum primers. I like to work my loads up in hot weather and compare them to being used in the cold weather. Usually the middle of the first node gives me best results between hot and cold with most propellants. YMMV

 

[Demi-human]

I have been using CCI 400s with no ill effects.
I did notice some improvements when using the 450s in my 50AE. Perhaps a test is in order...

Oops! I mean CCI 350s large magnum primer from the Winchester LPP.

 

[rbernie]

Roger all - thanks.

 

[jmorris]

Another Winchester for standard or magnum user here for 450. I use CCI 300 for 458 socom.