Hi to all. (I think that's something like "HEY YA'LL", but I wanted to be different. :) )
My question is related to the interchangeability of small pistol and small rifle primers. A couple of years ago when I first started reloading, I accidently picked up a box of Winchester Small Rifle primers instead of Small pistol. I noticed that something wasn't right prior to loading anything up and just set these off to the side. Since then I have sold my original reloading setup and just last week finally was able to get another relaoding setup. While arranging my reloading bench, I came across the small rifle primers (a brand spanking new box of 5000, I think) and I was wondering if it's possible to use these in pistol loads.
Anyone have any experience in doing so? Or am I going to blow my hand and my gun up if I do something so irresponsible and stupid? :)
Small rifle primers vs. small pistol primers
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Re: Small rifle primers vs. small pistol primers
Size-wise, small rifle and small pistol are the same (.175"). Supposedly, rifle primers have more thickness on the metal cup and have slightly higher priming compound.
Reloading things improperly can be a very dangerous hobby -- always stay within the pressure tolerances and loading guides in published guides from reliable sources.
Reloading things improperly can be a very dangerous hobby -- always stay within the pressure tolerances and loading guides in published guides from reliable sources.
I don't fear guns; I fear voters and politicians that fear guns.
Re: Small rifle primers vs. small pistol primers
I use small rifle primers in my USPSA Open gun - .38 Super running about a 171 power factor and I haven't blown up yet. A lot or maybe most of the Open shooters with high power factors use small rifle primers over small pistol. I have never used them in a regular load but I would not hesitate to do so.
thanks,
George
thanks,
George
Re: Small rifle primers vs. small pistol primers
*** THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT. USE YOUR OWN BEST JUDGMENT ***
Now with the disclaimers out of the way...I have read these discussions on numerous reloading forums, most notably some of the cast-bullet and black powder forums.
The general consensus is that depending upon the powders in question (relative quickness matters here) you may get better ignition with rifle primers than pistol primers, along similar curves to magnum primers vs. standard primers.
I would not simply substitute one primer for another--you're asking for pressure changes--and you may not see high-pressure signs in a pistol cartridge on a rifle primer. An over-pressure pistol cartridge that would bulge and flow a pistol primer wouldn't show the same on a rifle primer.
Plenty of successful reports and recipes exist for rifle primers in pistol loads--but start low (back off 10-15% on your powder charge), watch for pressure signs, etc. Treat it as though you're working up an off-the-books load.
I wouldn't hesitate to use 'em, but I would plan to build a load from scratch, slowly and methodically.
Or maybe you could trade someone some rifle primers for some pistol primers--there's plenty of folks on the forum who load high-volume rifle cartridges that could make use of them, and might be willing to trade.
Now with the disclaimers out of the way...I have read these discussions on numerous reloading forums, most notably some of the cast-bullet and black powder forums.
The general consensus is that depending upon the powders in question (relative quickness matters here) you may get better ignition with rifle primers than pistol primers, along similar curves to magnum primers vs. standard primers.
I would not simply substitute one primer for another--you're asking for pressure changes--and you may not see high-pressure signs in a pistol cartridge on a rifle primer. An over-pressure pistol cartridge that would bulge and flow a pistol primer wouldn't show the same on a rifle primer.
Plenty of successful reports and recipes exist for rifle primers in pistol loads--but start low (back off 10-15% on your powder charge), watch for pressure signs, etc. Treat it as though you're working up an off-the-books load.
I wouldn't hesitate to use 'em, but I would plan to build a load from scratch, slowly and methodically.
Or maybe you could trade someone some rifle primers for some pistol primers--there's plenty of folks on the forum who load high-volume rifle cartridges that could make use of them, and might be willing to trade.
American by birth, Texan by the grace of God!
Re: Small rifle primers vs. small pistol primers
This is actually what I'd like to do. Anyone know someone that needs just under 1000 small rifle primers ? (I was incorrect in my memory of how many were in the box that I had, it was a 1000 count box).
[quote="cbunt1Or maybe you could trade someone some rifle primers for some pistol primers--there's plenty of folks on the forum who load high-volume rifle cartridges that could make use of them, and might be willing to trade.[/quote]
[quote="cbunt1Or maybe you could trade someone some rifle primers for some pistol primers--there's plenty of folks on the forum who load high-volume rifle cartridges that could make use of them, and might be willing to trade.[/quote]