Rem 6-1/2 primers in hand gun loads

Rem 6 1/2 primers can be used in place of SP Magnum primers but a magnum primers is not recommended for use with 2400, especially in the upper end loads. Pressure spikes can and will happen so you really shouldn't use those 6 1/2 primers with 2400.

I'm just wondering why Remington still has those primers in their catalog. They can't be safely used in rifles ammo other than rounds like the .22 Hornet even though that are called Small rifle primers. They can be used like SPM primers but their 5 1/2 primers are almost identical to the 6 1/2 primers. I just don't get it!

This is directly from the Remington WEB Site:

Rifle primers are offered in 6 1/2 small rifle, 7 1/2 small rifle, and 9 1/2 large rifle and 9 1/2M magnum rifle. Handgun primers are available in 1 1/2 small pistol, 2 1/2 large pistol, 5 1/2 small pistol, and 7 1/2 small rifle.

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So according to Remington they don't even recommend their 6 1/2 primers for handgun ammo but they do recommend their 7 1/2 BR rifle primers for handguns even though they are also magnum strength, and for Bench Rest rifles and suitable for semi-auto .223 ammo. Go figure???

They also recommend the 1 1/2 SP for low pressure rounds only.

ArchAngelCD said:

This is directly from the Remington WEB Site:

Rifle primers are offered in 6 1/2 small rifle, 7 1/2 small rifle, and 9 1/2 large rifle and 9 1/2M magnum rifle. Handgun primers are available in 1 1/2 small pistol, 2 1/2 large pistol, 5 1/2 small pistol, and 7 1/2 small rifle.

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So according to Remington they don't even recommend their 6 1/2 primers for handgun ammo but they do recommend their 7 1/2 BR rifle primers for handguns even though they are also magnum strength, and for Bench Rest rifles and suitable for semi-auto .223 ammo. Go figure???

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That's simply a misprint/typo on their website. 7½ BR's have never been recommended for pistols. Feel free to call them and confirm.

Otto said:

That's simply a misprint/typo on their website. 7½ BR's have never been recommended for pistols. Feel free to call them and confirm.

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A misprint would make sense. I know I've seen the 6 1/2 primers recommended for handgun use.

There are beaucoups USPSA shooters using 7 1/2s in their overloaded .38 Supers.
It disguises the signs of excess pressure.
So why do you not believe the Remington chart?

Federal used to recommend their small rifle primer for .357 magnum... until they came out with a small pistol magnum.

Remington 71/2 primer for Pistol?

I just ask Remington about the 71/2 "pistol" primer. May know in a day or two.

I've got some .38SPL wadcutters loaded with Rem 6-1/2s right now. I'll let everyone know how that goes.

beatledog7 said:

I've got some .38SPL wadcutters loaded with Rem 6-1/2s right now. I'll let everyone know how that goes.

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The 6 1/2 primers will work just fine in handguns and the .22 Hornet but that's about it according to Remington.

I've loaded a bunch of 9mm range ammo (cast bullets, moderate pressures) with 6 1/2 and had zero issues.

You can find loads of people who have loaded and fired .223 rounds using 6-1/2s and have had no pierced primers. My broad Internet searches and browsing on THR revealed more people who have had no problems than people who have scored bolt faces.

I have a few dozen 6-1/2 primed and lightly to moderately charged .223 rounds. All have 40-gr or lighter bullets. I have yet to fire any of these but will try a few eventually, using a Savage Model 25. It will be a single feed event, and I'll check each one for signs of piecing before firing the next.

If I were wagering on the results, I'd bet heavily that they'll be just fine. In truth, that is what I'm doing when I choose to fire them.

From Remington- Pistol Primers

"Thanks for contacting Remington! Looks like that could be a mis-print. You should not use the 7 1/2 small rifle primer. The only primer used are 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 5 1/2."

Remington Pistol Primers

2nd reply from Remington.

Discussion Thread



Response Via Email (Danny)

11/16/2012 04:45 PM



The 7 1/2 is a small rifle primer. Pistol primers will be 1 1/2 small pistol (for 25 ACP, 38 S&W, 9 MM, 38 Special, 380, and similar cartridges), 2 1/2 large pistol (for 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45 ACP, 10 MM, and similar cartridges), and 5 1/2 small pistol (for .357 Magnum, .357 Sig, 40 S&W, and similar cartridges). 7 1/2 primers should not be used in pistol loads.

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