Does AA#7 require magnum pistol primers

[Encoreman]

Hi all, my Speer manual says .357 magnum 158 gr JHP AA#7 requires a magnum primer. All the other places AA#7 doesn't require a magnum primer, don't know if it is a typo or not. Like to pick your brains before loading up. Thank you, Mac

 

[fxvr5]

It does not appear to be recommended in my Speer #14 manual or on data on their website.
https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...caliber_357-358_dia/357_Magnum_158_TMJ_FN.pdf

 

[jag22]

What you should learn from this question is that different sources will have differing info. Different powder loads, pressures, velocity, etc. Check more sources and you will find both are specified. I can promise you either primer will make it go bang and if your aim is good you will hit the target and with a 357 the results will be devastating. Is one particular formula optimal, probably yes. Does it matter that much to the average shooter, probably not. Sadly in these days you usually use what you can find. I'm down to loading 9mm with small rifle primers designated for .223s, they work great.
Keep reading and asking questions, there is always more to learn.

 

[BBarn]

Over the years, Accurate used standard primers with #7 in most of their published 357 Magnum loads. Other sources vary. In general magnum primers increase velocity along with pressure for a given powder charge, but there are exceptions. It's best to use the primer specified in the loading data you are following.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Accurate itself states that magnum primers are not required, or even recommended for their powders.

 

[fxvr5]

Accurate itself states that magnum primers are not required, or even recommended for their powders.

That's not what I found on their website. Here's what's posted in the FAQ section;

https://www.accuratepowder.com/faq/

16. What primers should I use?

There is unfortunately no simple solution or recommendation, because the primers of different manufacturers can differ quite substantially even when rated for the same category.

However, as far as safety is concerned for the most general and popular calibers standard primers of most manufacturers will work in both the handgun and rifle categories.

The belief that all spherical powders must be combined with magnum primers is not true. This might have been the case in the early years. However, what is suggested is that as soon as the capacity of a typical rifle caliber goes beyond 70 grains it will be good to use a higher energy “Magnum” rated primer. In the case of handguns its more difficult and as far as our Accurate products is concerned it will be good to use magnum primers when the Chargemass exceeds 20grains in a typical bigger bore caliber such as 44 and larger.

As far as accuracy is concerned, which depends on the intricate/complex interactions of the components and weapon system/platform a change in any one of the major components including primers can have a significant effect, for better or worse. Therefore it will be wise to experiment with different primers if a problematic situation arises.

 

[CQB45ACP]

That's not what I found on their website. Here's what's posted in the FAQ section;

https://www.accuratepowder.com/faq/

16. What primers should I use?

There is unfortunately no simple solution or recommendation, because the primers of different manufacturers can differ quite substantially even when rated for the same category.

However, as far as safety is concerned for the most general and popular calibers standard primers of most manufacturers will work in both the handgun and rifle categories.

The belief that all spherical powders must be combined with magnum primers is not true. This might have been the case in the early years. However, what is suggested is that as soon as the capacity of a typical rifle caliber goes beyond 70 grains it will be good to use a higher energy “Magnum” rated primer. In the case of handguns its more difficult and as far as our Accurate products is concerned it will be good to use magnum primers when the Chargemass exceeds 20grains in a typical bigger bore caliber such as 44 and larger.

As far as accuracy is concerned, which depends on the intricate/complex interactions of the components and weapon system/platform a change in any one of the major components including primers can have a significant effect, for better or worse. Therefore it will be wise to experiment with different primers if a problematic situation arises.

That was written by a bad government lawyer and edited by a senile economist.

 

[black mamba]

I've never needed magnum primers with #7 in Ruger Only 45 Colt loads, so I doubt they are necessary in the smaller capacity 357 magnum.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

That's not what I found on their website. Here's what's posted in the FAQ section;

https://www.accuratepowder.com/faq/

16. What primers should I use?

There is unfortunately no simple solution or recommendation, because the primers of different manufacturers can differ quite substantially even when rated for the same category.

However, as far as safety is concerned for the most general and popular calibers standard primers of most manufacturers will work in both the handgun and rifle categories.

The belief that all spherical powders must be combined with magnum primers is not true. This might have been the case in the early years. However, what is suggested is that as soon as the capacity of a typical rifle caliber goes beyond 70 grains it will be good to use a higher energy “Magnum” rated primer. In the case of handguns its more difficult and as far as our Accurate products is concerned it will be good to use magnum primers when the Chargemass exceeds 20grains in a typical bigger bore caliber such as 44 and larger.

As far as accuracy is concerned, which depends on the intricate/complex interactions of the components and weapon system/platform a change in any one of the major components including primers can have a significant effect, for better or worse. Therefore it will be wise to experiment with different primers if a problematic situation arises.

"...it would be good to...." is neither a requirement nor a recommendation.

These paragraphs are loaded with doublespeak. Myst have been written by lawyers.

It looks to me like they are saying that regular primers are fine, unless they are not. This is certainly not what I read in their manuals back in the day.

 

[fxvr5]

"...it would be good to...." is neither a requirement nor a recommendation.

These paragraphs are loaded with doublespeak. Myst have been written by lawyers.

It looks to me like they are saying that regular primers are fine, unless they are not. This is certainly not what I read in their manuals back in the day.

You might not like what they say, but it is their answer concerning the question of using magnum primers. And my bet is that they know their products and how they behave under various load conditions better than you do.

And I read "it would be good" as a recommendation. If it wasn't a recommendation, they wouldn't have written "it would be good".

 

[joneb]

Magnum vs standard primers could depend on temperature. I would see which one works best for your circumstance.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

You might not like what they say, but it is their answer concerning the question of using magnum primers. And my bet is that they know their products and how they behave under various load conditions better than you do.

And I read "it would be good" as a recommendation. If it wasn't a recommendation, they wouldn't have written "it would be good".

From Accurate reloading manual #2, published in 2000.
Page 44.
" We also need to touch briefly on primer selection - specifically when to use 'standard' vs 'magnum' primers.

We have found no need for magnum primers with any handgun loads using our cannisters Nitro 100, No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, or No.9 propellants, unless, of course, they provide better accuracy in your firearm."

That doesn't sound like a recommendation, or a requirement.

 

[tucmox]

Watch this video. Makes a lot of sense from someone who works with primers every day. Two things are gonna change in the way we do things because of this pandemic we're going through. People all over the world are going to realize how easy it is to work/school from home, and the shortage of ammo and components is going to force us all to adapt. I've been using SRP's in my handgun loads for years now. Also not afraid to use SP Magnum primers if I need them. I will say all my pistols are hammer fired so I don't have any problems with light strikes. I've chrono'd them all and there is barely a noticeable difference.
.

 

[fxvr5]

From Accurate reloading manual #2, published in 2000.
Page 44.
" We also need to touch briefly on primer selection - specifically when to use 'standard' vs 'magnum' primers.

We have found no need for magnum primers with any handgun loads using our cannisters Nitro 100, No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, or No.9 propellants, unless, of course, they provide better accuracy in your firearm."

That doesn't sound like a recommendation, or a requirement.

Fair enough.

I dug around and found an Accurate manual # 3.1 (unknown date) (page 1) and they write, "For best results, use the mildest primer consistent with good ignition;" They don't say how to evaluate what looks like good ignition, but perhaps they mean evidence of unburned powder.

Also, they list the use of Win WSPM primers for their 357 load data (page 3). This is not uncommon as most manuals try to use just one primer for all their load data for a given caliber. I think only Speer goes to the effort of using different primers for different powders in load data for a given caliber. The current Western Powders uses WSPM for their 357 data, too. Hooda Thunkit, I'm not trying to disagree with you, just an observation.

Hooda Thunkit, if you get a chance, I'm curious what primer they list for their 357 load data in the manual #2.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I dug around and found an Accurate manual # 3.1 (unknown date) (page 1) and they write, "For best results, use the mildest primer consistent with good ignition;" They don't say how to evaluate what looks like good ignition, but perhaps they mean evidence of unburned powder.

I don't know how Accurate did it, but I use a chrono to look for ignition problems. Higher Extreme Spreads can indicate ignition problems.

Hooda Thunkit, if you get a chance, I'm curious what primer they list for their 357 load data in the manual #2.

CCI #500 for all loads in 357 Mag

 

[Reloadron]

The last Speer manual to make that recommendation was #12. When #13 came out they got away from that. Matter of fact for the Speer #12 manual they used CCI 500 Standard and CCI 550 Magnum small pistol primers. Matter of fact if you look closely all of the ball type powders for the 357 loads have an * to use the magnum primers. Can't find my Speer #13 but if I recall correctly the suggestion to use CCI 550 Magnum primers was dropped even for the ball type powders. However, looking at Speer online and current Speer suggest using a magnum primer for the same ball powders it did back in #12. AA #7 they now call out a standard primer CCI 500.

A simple Google of "magnum primers for ball powder" will give a pile of pages on the subject. I normally go with that thinking but only because I have both types of small pistol primers. Would I worry about it? No, not really. Try standard primers and see what it gets you. Just don't load a mountain of them till you see how they work out for you in your gun.

Ron

 

[FROGO207]

I used to worry about these things but years ago transitioned over to all SRP for all my small primer needs after extensive testing. I do have a couple striker fired pistols that need SPP due to light strikes with SRP but the rest work well with SRP. I recommend testing for your self and go from there.