Switching primer mfg.

[Stormin.40]

As a general rule can I interchange primers using the same powder charge and OAL as before?

I have been reloading for a couple of years and have always used CCI 500 primers (Small Pistol) for loading .40 and .38 special. I ran out of primers and found some Winchester WSP for $23.50/1000 and thought that was a great deal. Do I need to start over with my loads or can I just interchange without reworking? I am not at max charges and am using HS-6 in my .40 and Trialboss and Titegroup in my .38 special.

 

[Blue68f100]

If your not at MAX load, no problem. If at Max back off 0.1gr then step backup. Win does not make Mag primers for pistols, so they may add a little velocity.

 

[mtrmn]

I agree, if not at max then switching primer brands should make little/no difference. I've done it several times over the years and never noticed any diff whatsoever in pistol rounds. IF you were at max, I'd say back off a little and test.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've found them all to be pretty much interchangeable for pistol cartridges.

The prudent thing to do would be back-off the powder just a little when you first try a new primer unless you are already shooting minimum loads.

 

[RandyP]

For my low-mid range reloads I have not concerned myself over primer brand name. Of late it's been mostly Wolf SPP and LPP.

 

[Stormin.40]

Thanks, I thought this would be the case just wanted to confirm.

 

[gamestalker]

Blue68f100, FYI, Winchester makes Small Pistol, Small Pistol for Magnum & Standard, and Small Pistol Magnum.
If you are using a Winchester Small pistol for standard loads and you are not up near the maximum load range you should be just fine. However, make sure they are the standard small psitol primer and not the other two Winchester makes.

 

[fol4321]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/10/primers-and-load-velocity-cci-br2-vs-wolf-in-308-win/

it could in some circumstances

 

[oldreloader]

I usually load low to mid range and have never had a problem swapping primers.

 

[rori]

I have done it more times than I can count BUT once I was working up a load for a high end Browning, engraved, gold inlays etc. It was chambered in 300 win mag. The owner couldn't get a good load worked up so he gave me his components and told me to try. I loaded some with a charge reduced from max by 3or 4 gr.using his powder but my CCI magnum primers. WOW pressures went thru the roof!!!! Blew primers out of the pockets, brass stuck in chamber and wouldn't extract had to use a ramrod to knock the brass out.Scared me preety bad. Went home and changed the primers to some other brand and used the same powder charge, after rec hecking it in several manuals. Shot it now and it was sweet as sugar. No extraction problems, primers not flattened etc. Just a primer change darn near blew up a very expensive rifle. So I do it but would never recommend it. FRJ

 

[bergmen]

Blue68f100, FYI, Winchester makes Small Pistol, Small Pistol for Magnum & Standard, and Small Pistol Magnum.
If you are using a Winchester Small pistol for standard loads and you are not up near the maximum load range you should be just fine. However, make sure they are the standard small psitol primer and not the other two Winchester makes.

Winchester Primers:

WLP - Large Pistol for Regular or Magnum
WSP - Small Regular Pistol
WSPM - Small Magnum Pistol

They don't make a small pistol for regular/magnum, only large pistol for regular/magnum.

Dan

 

[Blue68f100]

Thanks for updating me. I have only bought LPP from WW and they say for both, std and Mag. I normally use CCI for SP.

 

[Stormin.40]

I am using WSP to replace CCI 500. My choice to switch is only due to price, CCI primers have work perfectly so far in my loads.

 

[GrayDog]

I use WSP for .38's most of the time, but sometimes I use CCI 500's. I just looked back over data from the past year or so. Most of the loads I did with WSP's ran 5 to 10 fps faster than the same bullets and powders with CCI 500's.

A few weeks ago I intentionally mixed the two primers when I made up a batch of .38 wadcutters. Then I sorted them out by primer and tried them. The string with CCI 500's was 5 fps faster the string with WSP's.

So, it looks like there isn't much difference. At the moment the differences I've seen look like just normal batch-to-batch and string-to-string variations.