What size primers for 44 Magnum?

[TargetTerror]

I just bought a 44 magnum Blackhawk and I'm going to start loading for it. I assume that the cartridge takes large pistol primers?? I will be loading Starline brass (I know, i should call them, but I may head out to the store tomorrow before they open).

Also, do you guys recommend standard or magnum primers, and why? I will be loading hot with H-110.

thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

It surely says what primer to use in your handloading manual.

 

[TargetTerror]

Yes, but I've heard of some cartridges that come in several primer sizes (7.62x39). I'm really just triple checking...

 

[3rdpig]

44 mag takes large pistol primers. Whether to use magnum or not will depend on the powder and the load. Refer to your load data and stick with the primer type they recommend and if you switch primer type, download by 10% and work back up.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, it depends upon what powder you are using whether or not you need to use a Magnum primer. H110/W296 REQUIRE a Magnum primer. From what I've heard, 2400 doesn't require a Magnum primer.

 

[benchgrinder]

As has been stated, H110/W296 require magnum Large Pistol primers. I can tell you that 2400 does not require magnum, go with standard Large Pistol primers. I have heard that 2400 did require magnum in the past.

 

[Hutch]

I like the Winchester LP primer. It specifically states "For standard and magnum" or some such. I have loaded them behind H110, no problem. Sure does simplify logistics. I wish they did the same with the small pistol primer.

 

[Dave P]

W296 REQUIRES magnum primer? Thats a new one on me. Web site says nothing ...



Dave

 

[GCW5]

I just use WLPs in everything, 44mag & 45ACP. I load H110, 2400 & H4227 in the 44 without any problems.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Also, do you guys recommend standard or magnum primers, and why? I will be loading hot with H-110.

Use the primer recommended in your manual for the load you want and WORK UP!! Don`t just load a "hot" load and go. You may get away with it, then again maybe not. The primer makes little difference in some cases, and a big difference in some others, don`t sub until you have a good idea of what to look for and have a need to switch. Read the text in the manual, if you have more then one read both, especially study the safety tips. They offer good info and needed basic direction in tool use and picking components.

 

[azredhawk44]

Use the primer recommended in your manual for the load you want and WORK UP!! Don`t just load a "hot" load and go. You may get away with it, then again maybe not. The primer makes little difference in some cases, and a big difference in some others, don`t sub until you have a good idea of what to look for and have a need to switch. Read the text in the manual, if you have more then one read both, especially study the safety tips. They offer good info and needed basic direction in tool use and picking components.

Except you can't "work up" with Win296 or H110. These powders respond very badly to empty volume in the case. Hodgdon's website reports for a 240gr bullet and using either H110 or Win296, you have a min charge of 23.0gr and a max of 24.0gr. Going down 10% is not allowed because 296/H110 is a powder known to detonate from too low a charge volume.

My point is: don't substitute ANYTHING on your load recipe. Don't even assume it is safe to go below a printed MINIMUM. Bad things happen, and once-fine guns become inadvertent hand grenades.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Except you can't "work up" with Win296 or H110. These powders respond very badly to empty volume in the case. Hodgdon's website reports for a 240gr bullet and using either H110 or Win296, you have a min charge of 23.0gr and a max of 24.0gr. Going down 10% is not allowed because 296/H110 is a powder known to detonate from too low a charge volume.

I agree, Winchester years ago I believe recommended not reducing W296 by more then 3% from max in their data. Might have been Hodgdon with H110, a can`t recall for sure. Still I`d start at the recommended charge and raise the charge in increments. Hodgdon shows a 11,000 psi difference between 23 and 24 gr of H110 with a 240 gr Nosler bullet in the 44 mag, a 33% jump in psi with a grain additional powder.

 

[TargetTerror]

Except you can't "work up" with Win296 or H110. These powders respond very badly to empty volume in the case. Hodgdon's website reports for a 240gr bullet and using either H110 or Win296, you have a min charge of 23.0gr and a max of 24.0gr. Going down 10% is not allowed because 296/H110 is a powder known to detonate from too low a charge volume.

This is interesting, and the first I've heard of this phenomenon (i'm new to reloading). What exactly do you mean by H110 "responds badly" to empty volume in the case? I had a 158 gr .357 mag load of 14.5 gr H110 and WSP primer. Grouped prob 1.5 inches when I did my part at 25 yards.

I did have a squib with that load, but I'm pretty confident that it was a failure of the powder to ignite rather than no powder at all. Bullet lodged 1 inch in from the forcing cone, so clearly only the primer went off. But, there were specks of off-color (yellowish) granules of powder all behind the bullet. Seems to me like there was powder in the case, but it just didn't ignite.

The heat was broken at the indoor range that day, and it was probably 50 degrees (felt colder even) in there. I'm guessing that the WSP primer failed to ignite the H110 powder, in part because of the cold. I've moved up to WSPM primers, and I'll develop a new load with that.

 

[earplug]

I have used WW WLP primers for my large standard and magnum pistol loads for several years.
There generally available at local stores and online. Nice to have a componet on hand for the reciepe/load required.

 

[Ol` Joe]

This is interesting, and the first I've heard of this phenomenon (i'm new to reloading). What exactly do you mean by H110 "responds badly" to empty volume in the case? I had a 158 gr .357 mag load of 14.5 gr H110 and WSP primer. Grouped prob 1.5 inches when I did my part at 25 yards.

Hodgdon and Winchester recommend not reducing charges of 296/H110 from the loads shown in the manuals and to use firm, heavy crimps to ensure good ignition. They also recommend NOT useing these powders with light for caliber bullets as the added air space (shorter bullet shank) in the case can also cause poor ignition and squibs.
Stay with loads in the manual for the bullet you are useing. The Speer book has loads for thier bullet NOT Hornadies. Loads for each will often vary.