Bought the wrong primers - can I use 'em

[gravelyctry]

I accidentally bought 1000 CCI MAGNUM large pistol primers, when I was wanting to just buy the regular large pistol primers.
Can I still use them, and what is the difference between the magnum and regular large pistol primers, and what effect will they have on my loads if I do use the magnums? Thanks for the help!

 

[Walkalong]

Yes. Start low and work up. Stop a tad short of published data for reg primers or if you see pressure signs or excess velocities over the chrono. There is no free lunch. If you are exceeding published velocities, you are probably over on pressure.

 

[nitesite]

I agree with Walkalong. You should be fine as long as you begin with the published MINIMUM load from a reputable manual. If you've got a safe load you've always used before and you aren't also changing your bullet or propellant I would reduce by 10~15% to start with.

Heck, some propellants and cold temps actually perform very well with magnum primers! Just be careful (as Walkalong said) about approaching MAX charges, particularly if the ammo is going to get very warm or hot.

 

[scrat]

Dont undercharge a load too much though. Just load it as normal but a lower rate than max loads.

Discussion. If you do not load enough powder with a magnum primer chances are you will not be burning all the powder when the bullet starts to move. As the blast force of the primer is enough to move the bullet. Thus you should run a reduced load, But should not make it at too low of a load. To small of a load will result in unburned powder.

HARMFULL.

is this dangerous. not necesarily dangerous. Just bad practice. as when you have unburned powder the performance suffers.

Q how would you have unburned powder from not having enough powder. isnt this the opposite.

A. NO as when using magnum primers the primer alone is enough to move the bullet with enough energy. Adding a small amount of powder works like this.
You pull the triger the large primer flash goes through the flash hole. With great energy. Then immediately starts to move the bullet. Thus all the energy is moving forward. Since the powder charge was light chances are there will be some powder not burned as the bullet did not remain where it was long enough to burn all the powder and build up case pressure.


When using a medium type load more powder is present. The bullet will still start to move however with more powder. the powder burning itself will create enough energy and flash to burn up the rest of the powder.


Recomended.

To combat the bullet from leaving to early and suffering low performance and accuracy. Here is what to do. Make sure all rounds are loaded the same creating a uniform bullet. Try to stay away from light loads. However do not start out at a max load. CRIMP CRIMP CRIMP. A good crimp will help to build case pressure when fired thus increase your case pressure and accuracy.

 

[GCW5]

You don't say what caliber you're planing to load. I'd be more inclined to say you could use them in 44 Special or 45 Colt revolvers for midrange loads than in a 45ACP.

I would take them back to where I got them, and trade for what you need instead, or buy a pistol you could use them in.

 

[evan price]

Winchester large pistol primers are for MAGNUM or STANDARD, not a difference. I have used Magnum primers in .45 acp to finish a load but then again I don't load at max loads so there is room for wiggling.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I did the same thing last night so I'm going to tag along on this thread. I bought small rifle magnum primers (cci 450). Does the above advice apply to rifle catridges as well? I'd be loading them in .223.

 

[Mal H]

Does the above advice apply to rifle catridges as well?

Yes, the same advice applies - start low, and work up. Be considerably more conscious of high pressure signs as you reach published max loads.

 

[deerassassin23]

I have done the same thing I was going to get regular LP and bought LPM and use them in my 45 work fine I load about in the middle of Low and Max charges have had no problem.

 

[Drifter721]

I did the same thing and decide I'd call CCI and ask if it was OK? They said no, don't do it. I was told not to use magnum primers in non-magnum calibers. Out of curiosity I asked them why and they obliged with an explanation. It not only changes the burn rate used in the developed published load data, but it actually launches the bullet out of the case sooner, changing internal balistics and pressure spikes.

 

[My(2)Cents]

I know its an old thread

Just ran into the same problem. I plan on useing CCI Large Magnum for my 45 ACP later on. bought the wrong ones and considering that primers are so rare to find Im gonna use 'em anyways. I'll report back on how it turns out.

 

[Rodentman]

Magnum primers are not called for in magnum calibers necessarily. The need for mag primers is a function of the burn rate of the powder.

OTOH, I have used mag primers in SP and LP with min loads when non mag primers are sufficient. I have had no issues. Others will state that doing so is an accident waiting to happen but with min loads I think there is a margin of safety...

 

[FROGO207]

I have done the same thing before and the store would not take the primers back the next day. If you start out with min loads and faster propellant while working up it should work OK. To date I have had no problems at all. Still I would not do this on a regular basis.

 

[Wildyams]

From what i've heard, just start at the min load and you should be alright.

I also work at a sporting goods store and have had my boss and several employees told me its against federal law to take back/give exchanges on ammo, powder and primers. anyone know if this is actually true?

 

[JimKirk]

Frogo
I think different than you... I think you would want to use a slower burning powder with a magnum primer not a faster. You talk about changing the burn rate ... a fast powder will change characteristics quicker than a slower powder.

Jimmy K

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

Frogo
I think different than you... I think you would want to use a slower burning powder with a magnum primer not a faster. You talk about changing the burn rate ... a fast powder will change characteristics quicker than a slower powder.

Jimmy K

I agree with Frogo I tend to toy around with magnum primers with slower burning powders. I have actually been doing just this with 9mm this month.

 

[oldreloader]

Rather than be completely out of primers I intentionally bought 400 magnums because that was all I could find locally. Should I need to reload before I get more regular prmers I'll just start at the minimum load and work up a new load.That's half the fun anyway.

 

[My(2)Cents]

Reporting back

Yesterday I fired off 100 rds at the min load of 4.2 gr of bullseyes with a 200 gr LSWC with the Large pistol primers, worked out great with no noticable difference to the shooter. This is great 'cus I was able to get 1k of them!