.454 primer size ?

[Ak Guy]

I've got a lot of 454 Casull used brass, and I see that it's mixed between "small" and "large" primer pockets. My Speer manual says to use "small rifle" primers, so I will do that for the small pockets. But what is the right choice for the large pockets? And does it really matter, as long as it fits snugly in the pocket? ..........TIA........

 

[savanahsdad]

I can't find any data for large primers .

large rifle primers are taller than large pistol primers so you need to make sure they seat below flush ,

for slow burning powder like W296 / H110 you should use Magnum Primers

Lyman's book says use SRM for all there data ,

there is a thread going on right now where a member had real bad luck with SRP in his 454, Titled "454 Casull"

 

[50 Shooter]

All I ever used when loading 454 Casull was small rifle primers and H110. Never used mag primers and always had excellent results. I wouldn't worry about using mag primers, save your money and stick with regular primers.

 

[Grumulkin]

The advice about using magnum primers with ball powders and regular primers with other powders is nonsense. Some powders do better with one and some with the other irrespective of whether ball flake or stick. More specifically, you don't need to use magnum primers with with H110/Win. 296.

The fear of using rifle primers in handgun cartridges because of size difference is also not based on fact. True, rifle primers are a little taller than pistol primers but barely enough to notice and in the many pistol primer pockets I've tried them in they fit just fine without protruding above flush.

 

[joem1945]

My data for the S&W .460 calls for LR primers and H110. Functions very well with that load.

 

[moxie]

You have to go back a ways. The original .454 Casull used LRP magnums, CCI-250.

The Speer #11 book (1987) states, "Recently manufactured cases have small primer pockets. Loading data will be the same, except that CCI #450 magnum small rifle primers should be used."

You might call Speer and ask for an update.

 

[TimSr]

The original primers were Small Rifle Magnun Primers. The brass with large pockets for for Large Rifle magnum Primers. I don't recall who made those, but i don't think there were many around.

The rifle primer was called for due to the rifle pressures being generated.

As for using magnum primers primers with H110/296 and other similar powders, you can either follow what EVERY publication advises, or you can listen to forum postings from people who did it, and didn't see any problems.

For those who are looking to "save money", what is the price difference between magnum and standard primers?

The .454 round was created by Dick Casull in cooperation with Freedom Arms who made the gun specifically for the round. At that time only Freedom Arms made ammo, or reloading components for the round. I am still reloading my original FA brass that came from original factory ammo from around 1989 or 90.

Here is old Freedom Arms load data. http://www.freedomarms.com/loadingdata.pdf Reading the tips on page 3 should clear up a lot.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm not a ballistic expert, but I do consider myself have an extensive amount of experience with H110/296 with .357 mag, 44 mag., and some with 500 S&W.

Despite the fact that published data states "use magnum primer", I've tested with standard primers verses magnum primer with H110/296, and performance was horribly inconsistent. I was surprised I didn't get a squib it was so bad.

Winchester makes a primer that is labeled as ok for standard or magnum applications. I've tried them with H110 and they worked just fine.

My recommendation would be to use what the published data calls for, what ever that may be for the 454.

GS

 

[savanahsdad]

For those who are looking to "save money", what is the price difference between magnum and standard primers.

this always gets me too.

changing brands will cost more in some cases,
Around here all primes were the same price (pre2008), small shops that stocked a lot of primers just found it easier , and they didn't carry BR primers , you had to order them if that's what you wanted , we might have been getting a deal on Fed Mag's and paying to much for CCI200's but they were all about $3.25 a pack and $27.00 a brick,

first time I went in a big box store and saw different prices on primers I was shocked , "but why" , even then, Std-vs-Mag was only about a buck or two per brick ,

 

[ljnowell]

The advice about using magnum primers with ball powders and regular primers with other powders is nonsense. Some powders do better with one and some with the other irrespective of whether ball flake or stick. More specifically, you don't need to use magnum primers with with H110/Win. 296.

.

Uh no.

 

[savanahsdad]

Uh no.

don't worry, with global-warming it don't get that cold in Ohio anymore

 

[ljnowell]

don't worry, with global-warming it don't get that cold in Ohio anymore

Lol! I have had my laugh for the night, thank you.

 

[savanahsdad]

your welcome

 

[Sport45]

Current Hodgdon data calls for a Winchester SR (not magnum) primer for all loads. Doesn't matter if it's W296, H-110, or Trail Boss.

I can't speak for the large primer brass, but from reading above I'd use rifle primers unless they seated proud of the case head. If you start with the "start" loads it won't matter if you use magnum or standard from a pressure standpoint and you'll quickly determine if a standard primer will reliably light off your powder.

 

[TimSr]

Current Hodgdon data calls for a Winchester SR (not magnum) primer for all loads.

Mostly because Winchester does not make a Small Rifle Magnum primer.