[JimGun]

I have always used CCI #300 Large Pistol Primers for my .45 ACP loads. However, since the shortage, I have managed to lay my hands on some Winchester Large Pistol Primers. I know everybody has a preference, but are there any considerations I should know about in using Winchester Primers with my usual .45 ACP loads?

[Randy1911]

Preformance wise there is no difference. The cup on the CCI primers is a little harder, thus making them harder to ignite (Federal are the softest). So if you are not having any problems with that, the Winchewster should do you just fine.

[Sport45]

If you're at max load you shoudl reduce the charge a bit when changing components. I don't know the Winchester LP are hotter, but they are designated for use with regular or magnum loads. If they reliably light off W296 (and they do for me) they must be hot.

[The Bushmaster]

Winchester primers tend to be a bit hotter then CCI. Not really a problem unless you are loading at the maximum powder charge. I would recommend lowering your charge weight by .2 grains and work up.

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, the Winchester LP primers are for both standard and Magnum use. They no longer make a Magnum primer for LP applications. If you are bumping up against the Max charge reduce it by .2gr just to be safe. (depending on which powder you are using)

[JimGun]

Thanks, I appreciate the input. It's good to get back to reloading.

[Mags]

I find WInchester primers seat easier than CCI for some reason.

[45ACPUSER]

A prudent reloader would rework up his load when changing parameters. The operative issue is that you gotta go with what you can lay hands on.

Functionally, primers in handgun cartridges are not as much of an issue as it is with rifle rounds.

[The Bushmaster]

HUH??

[IMtheNRA]

The Real Mags: Hornady told me that Winchester primers are softer than CCI, so they deform easily to fit the primer pocket.

[Mags]

Thanks for the info IMtheNRA. I always prefer winchester over CCI due to the ease of use, but for defensive loads I use Federal due to the reason stated in post #2.

[ljnowell]

I could offer my opinion here, if you want it. I normally use only winchester primers. Not because they perform way better ( but they are great primers) its just what I was introduced to when I started reloading, and I dont mess with a good thing. I was forced to use some CCI primers a while back. The CCIs were really a good amount harder to seat than the winchesters. They all went bang, no problems there. I load some real soft 45s with 700x. Its a messy load, but crazy accurate. The CCI primers dont seem to ignite it as well.

[ArchAngelCD]

I always prefer Winchester over CCI due to the ease of use, but for defensive loads I use Federal due to the reason stated in post #2.
I have to disagree. You won't have any problems igniting any primer on the market with a stock revolver. If your revolver has been modified with very light springs for compensation that might be a problem for some primers. Considering no handgun used for self defense should have very light springs (IMO) there really isn't a problem using any name brand primer. I use mostly Winchester primers just because. In the past I've used mostly CCI primers. Both worked well and I've never has a round fail to go bang because a primer didn't ignite.

[freakshow10mm]

HUH??
Translation:

It's probably safe to use the same powder charge and just change primers. Rifles are more finicky with primer changes. However a safe and responsible handloader will always drop powder charge down to starting charge and work up when changing any component.

[Mags]

You won't have any problems igniting any primer on the market with a stock revolver
ArchAngelCD I do not own or reload for revolvers. (not that I dislike revolvers just don't have any)

Story time: Me and my buddy were at the range sending down some lead he was shooting an M&P 45 and I was shootin a Springfield Loaded model 1911. He bought two boxes of range ammo and I was using reloads I had made with CCI primers and HP38 powder. He quickly ran out of bullets and I gave him a bag of 50 reloads. He had one out of 50 that did not fire after the firing pin made contact with the primer. I chambered the round in my 1911 and the round fired as it should. So in my experience I would not trust my life to what appeared to be a hard primer so I now use Federal primers for my defensive loads from that day on.

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD I do not own or reload for revolvers.
Yeah, I realized that after I made that long winded post but I left it anyway because I decided to take my medicine instead of trying to cover up the mistake. I'm reading so many posts I lost track and that was after already posting in this thread. I got a brain freeze but I wasn't eating ice cream! :o

[Sport45]

He had one out of 50 that did not fire after the firing pin made contact with the primer. I chambered the round in my 1911 and the round fired as it should. So in my experience I would not trust my life to what appeared to be a hard primer

Not necessarily a hard primer. It could have been set a little high. His firing pin seated it, your's set it off. I've found that to be the normal culprit when a primer goes off on the second strike.

[The Bushmaster]

Freakshow10mm...Read his (45ACPUSER) second paragraph. That's what I was aluding to. Primers of different manufactures for handguns definately DO effect the outcome. CCI are the coolest, then Remington, then Winchester and the hottest is Federal [also being the softest cup]...I've seen as much as 50 fps difference between CCI and Winchester alone.

That's what the "HUH??" was for...

[freakshow10mm]

Then I don't know. I thought he was alluding to the pressure curve change.

[The Bushmaster]

Aah...Here it is...From my shooting log:

140 grain SJHP over 16 grains of 2400 and a CCI 550 primer. AV fps 1318.3...

140 grain SJHP over 16 grains of 2400 and a WSPM primer. AV fps 1385.3...

Difference: 67.0 fps

Firearm: Ruger Blackhawk 6 1/2" barrel...

Chronograph: Pact model 1 set at 8 feet from muzzle.

[freakshow10mm]

Weeeeee!

That kicked up the velocity a bit.:)

[The Bushmaster]

It kinda makes sense that if you are at or near maximum powder charge and you change primers to back it off by .2 grains now don't it....

[Otto]

Actually, with any change in components whether it's primers or different powder lot numbers, the reloader should begin again with starting loads and work up to maximum. That's basic reloading safety 101.

[rg1]

In my limited comparison between CCI and Winchester LP primers in .45ACP Win LP primers consistently gives between 30 and 50 fps more velocity so in the .45 it's the hotter primer and also would show more pressure. However, the CCI LP primer in the .45 with some powders and loads showed the most consistent velocity.

[Deavis]

"Aah...Here it is...From my shooting log:

How many shots per string, what order, and how long in between each string?

[The Bushmaster]

Weapon fired 10 times. Bore punched with jag and patch. Test string was 5 rounds CCI-550 primed first. Bore punched with jag and patch and 5 rounds with WSPM primers. Not that it would make that much of a difference. But this has been my habit for years. Barrel started out cool for each string...

[alfack]

Ok. Just trying to play devils advocate here.

How do you know when you are at the maximum load?

There are the obvious signs, like flattened primers etc.. But what difference does it make if it was the primer that caused your load to be at that level, or the charge of powder? If I am seeing flattened primers, my first thought is not going to be "I better switch to some cooler primers." I don't know anyone that loads to the absolute maximum they can get away with, as often that is not the most accurate load. So, if you normally load mid-range rounds like me, I would think you would be absolutely safe using any brand of primer interchangeably.

Them's my thoughts. I could be wrong.

[freakshow10mm]

That's why you test one variable at a time.

By testing in an Enfield converted to 45 ACP, the primer falls out at 34,000 psi and the catastrophic case failure occurs at 41,000 psi. Brass was Starline.

[Mags]

Not necessarily a hard primer. It could have been set a little high. His firing pin seated it, your's set it off. I've found that to be the normal culprit when a primer goes off on the second strike.
Whatever it was I don't want to bet my life on it. I would hate to have to recreate the experience in a SD situation.

[The Bushmaster]

Alfack...Flattened primers are not a sign of over pressure. The firing pin pushes the case forward in the chamber. The primer fires and backs out a bit. The case is slammed back against the bolt face reseating the primer and flattening it. Granted...The hotter the load the flatter the primer, but it is not a sign of over pressure. Unless it is cratered, punctured or shows soot around the primer.

As far as using primers to set chamber pressure. I have a load for my S&W mod 19 that when using WSPM primers the fired cases are hard to eject. Switching to CCI-550 primers they eject smoothly. That will make a difference. And you are right. If you are loading mid range loads the primer has little effect as far as over pressure is concerned, but it could be a facter in accuracy...

[catspaw]

All reading of flat primers aside, I used to use WLR's with H4895 in my Palma rifle. After three loadings of Winchester brass, the primer pockets were loose. I mic'd the WLR's at .2100, while the Federal 210M's I was using with a Varget load mic'd .2104. My Winchester brass holds onto the Federal primers for eight loadings before new primers seat too easily. This with 47.0 grs. of Varget and a 155 SMK.

[The Bushmaster]

Catspaw...You might try CCI-200. They tend to be a bit larger or harder. Not sure which, but they seat a bit harder then WLR or Federals.

I use predominately CCI, but I seem to be out of them at present and have WLR in stock instead or I'd measure one for you...