9MM Blue Dot Load With Small Rifle Primers

[docbrown]

Just thought I would share a load I tried out at the range today with some really good results. I wound up with a boat load of Small Rifle Primers, and after some research, found that if your gun could set them off, you could use these for pistol - just do not go near max loads and back off half a grain. My experience has shown this to be accurate. I started at 6.3 grains, Winchester SRP, 124 grain Xtreme 9mm round nose loaded to an OAL of 1.10.

This cycled the action of my pistol, was light recoil and was lights out accurate out to 20 yards (as usual, the gun was far more accurate than me). I was pretty proud of one group I had going at 10 yards, off hand that I could have put a quarter over on shots one through four - then I pulled one a couple of inches to the right. and blew it . I think this will be my go to plinker.

On a side note, my EAA Witness will set the small rifle primers off just fine, but my Colt will fail to set them off about 1 in 15 to 20 times (double action is more like 1 in 10), so I don't load them for the revolver. Anyone thinking of doing this, I recommend doing a small batch to make sure your pistol will set them off.

I am NOT recommending this - just sharing my experience. If you do, I would not recommend using the small rifle primers for max or even near max loads since the primer cup thickness might not show pressure signs until it is too late. It is my understanding that some competition shooters use small rifle primers in their 9MM and 38 Supers.

 

[rsrocket1]

Shhh! Don't tell anyone that SRP's work fine in SPP appications. When the next primer shortage comes, you'll see people pass up SRP's because there aren't any SPP's available.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've used small rifle primers in .38 Super +P and 9x23 Winchester loads for years. I do work up my loads for SR primers, though.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ATLDave]

Using SRP's has long been common among some IPSC/USPSA shooters loading 38 super or 9mm major rounds... since these rounds are often "above book" (especially the 9's), some shooters use the SRP's to avoid primer cratering/flow around the firing pin. Some would say that this is simply masking a pressure problem, and that's not wrong. But SRP's get a fair amount of use in certain pistol applications!

 

[RPegram]

I've loaded bunches of 9mm with Blue Dot and SRP's. I agree, they shoot great, but I stayed on the high side of the load weight due to getting better burn of the powder. I have found Blue Dot to work very well in any high pressure cartridge. I've shot thousands upon thousands in 357. My only complaint with Blue Dot is it doesn't meter the greatest for me.