Using small handgun primers in rifle loads

[Rich 10mm]

So I’m considering using small pistol primers as I have a ton to load 5.56, 300BO, and 6.5 Grendel. Should I use magnum small handgun primers. I’m gonna test just a few rounds first. Can’t find small rifle primers anywhere.

 

[earplug]

Order a new firing pin. The softer cups on pistols primers will rupture and wreck things.
Look up the CUP readings on 9MM Luger, 357 REM MAG and compare with the rifle cartridges your considering loading.
There is a reason the manufactures make various types of primers.

 

[Walkalong]

.22 Hornet you can, and some do, but for 99% of rifle calibers the answer is no. Tempting in this time of scarce primers, we get it, but it can be unsafe.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Should be able to trade for the correct primers. Small pistol seems to be more in demand than any others, and you have those.

As to using them in rifles. I wouldn't. Asking for a issues.

 

[Pat Riot]

I believe I read somewhere that pistol primers cannot handle rifle cartridge pressures.

I tried to find published data on this but all references are in other forums. I did a DuckDuckGo search using the term “Can I use pistol primers for rifle cartridges”. There is info out there on this and it doesn’t appear to be a wise thing to do.

 

[gifbohane]

I wrote an email to CCI primers a week or so and asked a similar question.

I still have not received an answer or clarification.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

There's a thread specifically about CCI #400 & #550 primers in the "Reloading Library of Wisdom" sticky always present at the top of this sub-forum. Here's a link to thread.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...e-versus-pistol-primers.797529/#post-10169183

 

[Rich 10mm]

Thanks to all for the info

 

[whughett]

The hazard would lie in a pierced primer. The primers function is to both to light the powder and seal the flash hole. The breech face contains it in the pocket. Not much good if the firing pin punches a hole in the cup. At best you’d have a jet stream of gas into the action.

 

[jmorris]

With the exception of the 22 Hornet and the 458 socom I don’t use pistol primers in rifle ammunition.

I have used rifle primers in pistol ammunition though.

 

[NapalmMan67]

With the exception of the 22 Hornet and the 458 socom I don’t use pistol primers in rifle ammunition.

I have used rifle primers in pistol ammunition though.

50 Beo uses LPM primers.


.

 

[Cemetery21]

This is what you risk - either a primer punctured by the firing pin, primer blowout at the edge, or both. A pierced primer usually results in a tiny brass disc being blown into your bolt. After a few of those, the firing pin can bind up and it requires disassembly of the bolt and maybe a new firing pin.
This isn't my bolt, but I had one a little bit worse from using Rem 6 1/2 RIFLE primers in a 223. Per Remington, they are for Hornet or lesser pressures and I didn't know that back in the 1980s.
I would expect this kind of damage or worse with pistol primers.