Did I buy the wrong kind of primers?

[Justin]

So I'm putting primers into some brass when I look at the packaging and realize that I've been using small pistol primers for Magnum loads. I'm not loading magnum loads, quite the opposite, just some standard plain vanilla 9mm.

Will using these primers cause any sort of problems? If so, what sort of problems could result from using Magnum primers in ammo loaded to just standard specs, and for use in a regular run of the mill factory gun.

Thanks.

 

[Mal H]

Generally, they won't cause a problem. Those primers will be hotter than standard ones so it is always advisable to work up your loads starting at least 10% below what your old formula called for. Actually that is true for a change in any component, including different lots of the same powder type.

If you have already loaded a quantity of rounds, I wouldn't hesitate to go ahead and shoot one and check the casing for any signs of overpressure.

Don't worry, you're not going to blow up your gun assuming you weren't pushing the envelope on the hot side.

 

[P95Carry]

Agree with Mal .... but would mention that 9mm is perhaps one of the most likely rounds to ''notice'' the slight extra flame from a mag primer ..... cos it is by nature a high pressure round.

Having said that ... if the loads are ''vanilla'' then probably at worst you may get something tending towards a +P ..... certainly very much doubt there will be any obvious over pressure probs.

You didn't mention what was going to digest them but if a modern and adequate quality gun then little to be too concerned about.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Organization needed

It sounds like you need to organize your reloading bench and storage places with distinct labelling. Standard primers in one place clearly marked and magnum primers similarly in another. Make building a round like grocery shopping. First make sure the right components are in the properly marked places then gather all the components needed and arrange them around your loader. The bin needs to be checked, the pulled items checked and finally the individual components boxes checked before loading and make sure the press is empty before starting as it may have some remaining unseen powder and primers in the primer magazine.

You can never check too much as it is your safety and those about you that are endangered. I have seen a Smith airweight lose its top three cylinders, a father and son seriously damaging their shooting hands when firing the first 44 mag reloads together. I have stories that can make your hair stand up so you can never check too much expecially if anyone has access to your reloading area. I have had a box of primers looked at and returned to another bin and my Hoag powder slide adjustment changed by my son showing off to friends my reloading room.

John Paul

 

[Justin]

Paul, I agree with you. I actually don't reload magnum rounds, I just mistakenly bought them without looking too closely at the box. (Until I noticed the label I didn't even know there was such a thing.)

I'm just getting into reloading, and as such I won't do it without a knowledgable friend in the room to make sure I'm doing everything properly.