Small rifle versus pistol primers

No safety issue.

But your pistols may not fire them reliably.

Be aware when shooting rapid fire.

rc

I use CCI 400 for 9mm, no problem

Might not fire because hardness or??

Yeah I think they are just tougher. I shoot a lot of the SB primers in my revolvers for plinking. They seem to be pretty hard as I had to up the springs to get them to fire reliably. Spring weight that would fire win or rem consistently did not even light the SB primers in my 686.

I know someone that only stocks small rifle primers - he uses them in place of small pistol or small magnum pistol primers. He does work all his loads up with these primers and does not go near max loads.

The cups are supposed to be harder (to withstand the higher pressures) so guns that have had lightened springs may not work reliably.

In CCI, Small Rifle is the same product as Small Pistol Magnum. Therefore, for better or worse, the ignition will be different than Small Pistol primers. Expect that the rounds may perform a bit differently than your usual load.

CCI, Small Rifle is the same product as Small Pistol Magnum.

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Where does CCI reference this?

No safety issue.

But your pistols may not fire them reliably.

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Dittos.

Where does CCI reference this?

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I am citing recent extensive discussion of it re the 327 Federal Magnum, for which Speer calls for Small Rifle Primers, really only logical in the heavier loads approaching pressure limits. Look around the prominent reloading forums for 327, and you will find it. It included quotes directly from CCI reps.

Yep, everything written on reloading forums can be considered gospel. I don't bother with asking questions of the folks that manufacture components, I get better info from anonymous screen names on forums, no rumors or old wives tales or unsubstantiated "facts"...

I've used small rifle in 9mm, 38 special and 357 with no issues other than the occasional no fire in the 38 and 9. I would say maybe 1 or 2 out of every hundred at most.

MDof2 said:

Where does CCI reference this?

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They don't. They tell you they are different. I've seen brisance comparisons showing SP and SR being the same while SPM is higher.

RealGun said:

I am citing recent extensive discussion of it re the 327 Federal Magnum, for which Speer calls for Small Rifle Primers, really only logical in the heavier loads approaching pressure limits. Look around the prominent reloading forums for 327, and you will find it. It included quotes directly from CCI reps.

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I have to respectfully disagree and here is why. Sitting here with some CCI Small Pistol Magnum #550 and some CCI Small Rifle #400 and under a magnifying glass it becomes apparent the primer cake is not the same, it is clearly two distinct different colors. So if the primers are the same priming mix why is the cake two different colors? I looked at samples from a few lots also and the color remained pretty consistent for each type. That alone leads me to believe the compounds are not the same mix.

Just My Take....
Ron

Reloadron said:

Sitting here with some CCI Small Pistol Magnum #550 and some CCI Small Rifle #400 and under a magnifying glass it becomes apparent the primer cake is not the same, it is clearly two distinct different colors. So if the primers are the same priming mix why is the cake two different colors?

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Could that be because the pistol primer is a magnum primer?

fouled bore said:

Could that be because the pistol primer is a magnum primer?

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I don't know but looking at some CCI 500 (standard small pistol) the cake is yet also different, sort of yellow. Anyway, what I question is post #8:

In CCI, Small Rifle is the same product as Small Pistol Magnum. Therefore, for better or worse, the ignition will be different than Small Pistol primers. Expect that the rounds may perform a bit differently than your usual load.

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Little late to be calling CCI, maybe tomorrow, but I question that CCI small rifle and small pistol magnum are the same primer, meaning they have the same brisance. I have called CCI a few times in the past and they were really nice about answering questions. Anyway, I just do not think the two primers are the same. If I am wrong it will not be the first time.

Ron

With all due respect, unless CCI backs it up, i.e.; straight from the horses mouth, you're propagating someone else's homegrown cookbook that while a lot of people have perhaps jumped on, it should be considered with extreme caution.

I'm all for trying new things, but I'm also all for safety and trying things that have been documented and tested by manufactures, versus a bunch of guys on the internet. Particularly with firearms. The rule of Darwin applies, and everyone is free to do as they choose!

MDof2, if you do a basic search on the board you will find numerous posts of CCI confirming SR is the same exact thing as SPM. If you are still skeptical go ahead and bug CCI yet again.

I use SR exclusively for my 9mm and 45 acp. No issues.

Pick your sources, but I was convinced that CCI SPM and SR were the same, although it sounds like they may be color coded with respect to Reloadron's findings.

If they are making one universal primer, with two part numbers, and two sets of packaging, and two sets of load data, their marketing and cost analysis people should be fired.

Rifle primers are meant to withstand higher chamber pressures. That usually means the cup material is more resistant to a strike. They do burn more like a magnum pistol primer than a standard pistol primer because of the powders they are used for.

Walkalong said:

So who is going to call CCI? Inquiring minds want to know.

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I spoke with Marfala who tried to get me a primer guru. Unfortunately he primer Gurus were busy with others like me bugging them so I am expecting a return call. When I get a call back I'll post what I discover. Also, I did send an email but we know how that can go, I am number 2,000 and they are now serving #6. However, if I get an email response I'll post it.

Ron

MDof2, if you do a basic search on the board you will find numerous posts of CCI confirming SR is the same exact thing as SPM. If you are still skeptical go ahead and bug CCI yet again.

I use SR exclusively for my 9mm and 45 acp. No issues.

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Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying he or anybody else is right or wrong or trying to start a debate here. I'm simply stating taking information off the internet as gospel is dangerous.
I'd love to hear it form CCI.
I'm just a fan of verified sources when it comes to my safety.

OK, for the curious and those who may be doubtful I got my call back from CCI. They are always a pleasure to talk to and informative.

Question: Are CCI 400 small rifle and CCI 550 small pistol magnum the same primer? Same as in Brissiance, Cut Thickness and Cake Mix.

Answer: Absolutely Not! The mix is not even close between the two and even the anvils used are not the same. Interesting about the anvils because I would have guessed there were only two anvils, large and small. They were very specific with the "Absolutely". They went on with other differences but they got their point across.

Now for anyone who wishes to confirm what I just posted feel free to give them a call: 1-800-379-1732.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying he or anybody else is right or wrong or trying to start a debate here. I'm simply stating taking information off the internet as gospel is dangerous.
I'd love to hear it form CCI.
I'm just a fan of verified sources when it comes to my safety.

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Give them a call. The few times I have called them they have been absolutely great about answering questions.

So there we have it for what it may or may not be worth.

Ron