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Has anyone used small magnum pistol primers in place of small pistol primers. I was told at Cabelas Friday that it can be done but you have to reduce your charge of course. I am reloading for .40s&w. Any information on loads would be a great help also. Right now I am loading 155gr fn with 5.0gr of Bulllsye. Thanks, Gunner

I would not use them. I use reload data only from manuals published by ammunition component manufacturers.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/ ... ulletid=40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/ ... _chart.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This should probably be in the reloading section, but it's a great question.
During the shortage I used magnum primers for almost everything because that's all I could get for a while.
Back the load off about 10% and carefully work your way back up while watching for high pressure signs.
It is safe to use magnums, just use common sense and start low.
I have since used magnum primers in many of my loads that are not normally magnum primed, because I like the ignition better and I can use a touch less powder without paying any more for primers.

Moved to this section.

Griz44 wrote:This should probably be in the reloading section, but it's a great question.
During the shortage I used magnum primers for almost everything because that's all I could get for a while.
Back the load off about 10% and carefully work your way back up while watching for high pressure signs.
It is safe to use magnums, just use common sense and start low.
I have since used magnum primers in many of my loads that are not normally magnum primed, because I like the ignition better and I can use a touch less powder without paying any more for primers.

Bullseye is a fast burning powder designed for low powder charges. I would not deviate from the published data.

Griz44, do you load for .40 if so what recipe do you use? Thanks, Gunner

As with any change in components, you should back off and work up again. One manufacturers magnum primers may only be another's standard primer as far as pressure is concerned. I have read the main difference between magnum and standard primers is the thickness of the primer cup.

Your 5 gr charge of Bullseye is 17% below Alliant's suggested maximum charge with a 155 gr bullet so, IMHO you are good to go.

I'm not Griz44 but I load my 40 S&W with Unique with a 155 start at 7 gr work up to a max of 8 gr. With a 165 start at 6.5 and work up to a max of 7.2 and with a 180 start at 6 and work up to 6.7. I don't like giving out exact load data because what is safe in my gun(s) may not be safe in yours.

edit: Yes I have and will use magnum pistol primers in non magnum loads. I have a shooting buddy that goes to a winter IPSC match in Colorado he uses small rifle primers in his .38 Super race gun for improved ignition in the freezing temperatures.

Thanks for the information fellas, also another primer question. What is the difference between Bench Rest and Regular Primers? Thanks,Gunner

GUNNER wrote:Thanks for the information fellas, also another primer question. What is the difference between Bench Rest and Regular Primers? Thanks,Gunner

Well, according to a friend of mine who is a Distinguished Rifleman who called CCI and asked the same question the answer was - - - Drum Roll - - - The Price!!!! The person at CCI told him for all but the most critical BENCH REST competitors who a difference of .001" in group size is the difference in winning and losing the regular primers are more accurate than even the best riflemen can hold. Another fellow, who is also Distinguished, won't use anything but bench rest primers for his match loads, claiming he can tell the difference.

MoJo, thanks for the information...... Gunner

GUNNER wrote:Has anyone used small magnum pistol primers in place of small pistol primers. I was told at Cabelas Friday that it can be done but you have to reduce your charge of course.

Um, I wouldn't do that if I were you <backs away carefully from Gunner....>

Griz44, do you load for .40 if so what recipe do you use?

I load 40 S&W with 180g Hornady XTP using Magnum primers and 4.3g of Titegroup.
For my Taurus PT, it is accurate and burns pretty clean.
My son also shoots the same reload.
For cast lead of the same weight, (practice and plinking) I use 6.6g of Power Pistol.
Most of what I shoot is 45, so the 40 is not a very regular loading for me.

Difference between BR and standard primer is quality control.

Difference between magnum and standard primer is cup thickness.

Some experimentation is necessary to get your most accurate load.

Of course you can do it. Heck, lots of people use small rifle primers for .38 Super. The question is "should you" and do you know what will happen?
However, it will degrade accuracy and can raise instantaneous pressures. I have never wanted to do it and actually took back some CCI magnum SP primers I bought about 6 months ago, although I had no others primers to use.