I'm getting into handloading. One question.

[jehicks87]

I've read the "Basics" at the top of the forum, but I have a basic question that wasn't covered in that sticky.

What's the difference between primers?

I plan on reloading pistol ammo almost exclusively, *may* get into reloading for my mosin eventually. But what's the real difference between large and small rifle and pistol primers?

The reason I ask is, I plan on converting a goodly amount of .223 brass to 7.62x25 Tokarev brass. One is rifle (obviously) and one is pistol (equally obvious.) People have done this many times without problems, but these people are also much further along in reloading than I. I assume the primer pockets are the same size?

Thank you for taking your time to answer this question!

 

[243winxb]

Mysteries And Misconceptions Of The All-Important Primer

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php And another. http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/04/ammunition_st_mamotaip_200909/

 

[rcmodel]

Small Rifle & Small Pistol primers are the same diameter (.175") and depth.

Large Rifle and Large Pistol are the same diameter (.210"), but rifle primers are slightly longer then pistol. (.010")

The other difference is hardness or thickness of the primer cups. Rifle primers are "harder" in order to stand higher pressure.

The other difference is Brisance, or how much flame is developed & how quickly.
Rifle primers are generally hotter then pistol primers in order to ignite larger powder charges.

Both Sm & Lg primers are made in standard & magnum versions also, with the magnum being hotter then the standard.

rc

 

[mcofboise]

... and to address your 7.62x25 question specifically, load your cut down .223 brass with small pistol primers for reliability of ignition in a handgun round and to avoid potential pressure issues that may be generated from a small rifle primer in a handgun load application.

 

[Searcher4851]

You are correct that the primer pockets are the same size in the 7.62x25 Tokarev and the .223 Remington brass. The Tokarev uses a small pistol primer and the .223 uses a small rifle primer. Since both primers are the same dimension, both pockets are the same dimension. When you cut down and form the .223 brass for the Tokarev, you would want to use the small PISTOL primer in it. The difference in the primers is basically how "hot" they are, and how hard they are. There's a chance the Tokarev doesn't have a strong enough firing pin strike to set off a rifle primer. (I've never tried one in my Tokarev, but I also never wanted to bother taking the chance)
Goos luck and good shooting.

 

[jehicks87]

Thank you all for the informative answers! One of the reasons I'm such a thr fan.