Large Pistol v Large Rifle Primers

[Texasgrillchef]

Long story, doesn’t matter how it happened. But sad to say, a bunch of large magnum cci pistol primers got mixed up with a bunch of large magnum cci rifle primers. Uggg.

So here’s my question.... if one of these large pistol primers that I normally use for my 45 Colt 30k rounds was accidentally used on one of my 45-70 Heavy load rounds, what would happen? And vice versa... if one of the large rifle magnum cci primers was used on one of the 45 Colt 30k rounds. As far as diameter of the two primers they are obviously the same. Thickness as far as I can tell seems to be the same as well. They are all CCI brand, so they are all “Silver” in colour. So one can’t distinguish based on that fact.

 

[AJC1]

The magnum rifle should be taller and might not fully seat in the pistol cartridge. The power on the mag rifle should be more but I dont have data to present

 

[Swampman]

Large magnum pistol primers may not fire when used in a rifle depth pocket.

A rifle primer loaded in a .45 Colt case would likely tie up your revolver tighter than Dick's hatband.

Just dump the primers on a smooth flat surface and the difference in height should allow you to get them sorted out.

 

[AJC1]

Large magnum pistol primers may not fire when used in a rifle depth pocket.

A rifle primer loaded in a .45 Colt case would likely tie up your revolver tighter than Dick's hatband.

Just dump the primers on a smooth flat surface and the difference in height should allow you to get them sorted out.

I figured a decent caliper would make quick work of this problem

 

[PWC]

Early on, years ago, I mixed std rifle and pistol primers. Everything went bang in rifle and pistol.

I do not load max or hot rod loads. If there is a physical dimension difference the caliper will be your friend.

 

[748]

Rifles can be a little taller, but the specs of large rilfe and large pistol overlap.

 

[Grumulkin]

So here’s my question.... if one of these large pistol primers that I normally use for my 45 Colt 30k rounds was accidentally used on one of my 45-70 Heavy load rounds, what would happen? And vice versa... if one of the large rifle magnum cci primers was used on one of the 45 Colt 30k rounds. As far as diameter of the two primers they are obviously the same. Thickness as far as I can tell seems to be the same as well. They are all CCI brand, so they are all “Silver” in colour. So one can’t distinguish based on that fact.

Here is how it really is from someone who has deliberately tried magnum rifle primers in pistol cartridges, etc.

1. The difference in the height of the primers will NOT keep a rifle from touching off a pistol primer.

2. Your large pistol primer in a 45-70 cartridge, even in a heavy load, will NOT cause a dangerous condition. Accuracy will probably be off a little but not by much.

3. In trying magnum rifle primers in a 44 Remington Magnum, I found I had to reduce the load by one or two grains. If your 45 Colt loads are conservative, it shouldn't be a problem. If the rounds are loaded to maximum, it could be a problem. It also matters what gun you're shooting them in. Some pistols are made to take high pressure even though they're chambered for low pressure cartridges. For instance, the Thompson/Center Encore and Ruger Redhawk are made to take higher pressure cartridges than some other guns.

4. Rifle primers are harder than pistol primers so some pistols won't ignite them.

5. Rifle primers seat just fine in pistol cartridge primer pockets. The fact that they're a little taller than pistol primers won't be noticible.

 

[Walkalong]

.45-70 pressure is not that high compared to some rifle calibers, so that is in your favor, because the pistol primer cups are thinner.

If the firing pin can reach it enough to hit it well it will fire, but the large pistol primer is indeed shorter and will be seated deeper than the large rifle primer.

If you have more mixed up, you can't eyeball the difference in height, or the color used on the protective sealant isn't different, you can check them with calipers for height.

Be more careful in the future. Primers are like powders, work with one at a time.

Early on, years ago, I mixed std rifle and pistol primers. Everything went bang in rifle and pistol.

I do not load max or hot rod loads. If there is a physical dimension difference the caliper will be your friend.

Despite not being max loads, this is just simply not a good idea and is poor reloading practice, not to be copied.

 

[PWC]

Despite not being max loads, this is just simply not a good idea and is poor reloading practice, not to be copied.

I did not mean to imply it is ok to routinely mix primers, only that if the loads are non-critical/plinkers shooting vs disassy is an option.

 

[mdi]

Large rifle primers are .008" taller than large pistol primers. There may be no problems if they are interchanged, but if you have a tight gun (rather than a well used, tolerances out to max. gun) with exacting brass (pockets on the small side) more than likely your revolver can get tied up or perhaps a slam fire in a semi auto. Bottom line; you may get away with using rifle primers in a pistol application, but why if you don't have to? You can sit the primers on a flat surface and find the taller ones, these are large rifle primers...

 

[Walkalong]

I did not mean to imply it is ok to routinely mix primers, only that if the loads are non-critical/plinkers shooting vs disassy is an option.

Then it was poorly worded. Lots of newbies read these threads.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

Well the mixing of primers was NOT intentional. Nor was it result of stupidity either. Like I said long long story. Nevertheless they did get mixed up.

I do have calipers and I will start the tedious process measuring the ones that are mixed. I didn’t load any 45 colt yet, but did load about 50 45-70 before I discovered the mishap.

Those that I did load are all very light 300g loads. All meant for target shooting, and not for hunting or self defense. Still haven’t decided if I will disassemble them and start over or not.

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Varminterror]

Ridiculously easy solution - homemade doctors knife.

Two 8x10 picture frames and some typing paper, ~8-10 sheets

• Cut the typing paper in 4 long strips, then cut those in half. These will be stacked as shims and used as the guide rails on each side of the bottom plate

• Pull the glass from both frames, put one on the bench

• Arrange the two stacks of paper strips (even count) along the sides of the bottom glass

• Set the top glass on the shim rails

• Find ONE tall primer and one short

• Adjust the shim stack between the glass plates evenly by adding or removing so the shorter primer fits under the glass, but the top does not

• Place all primers on the bottom glass between the rails

• Slide the top glass across the shims - the Rifle primers will get pushed forward, the pistol primers will be left behind

Takes longer to type it out than to do it and sort the primers...

ETA: primers are cheap. Large numbers seem like a waste, but holy cow, peace of mind is worth more than 3¢ each to me.

 

[FROGO207]

I believe they would be OK to shoot those 50. Something else is to line up a row of primers cup down, and take a metal ruler the thin way and put it across them. The tall rifle ones will hold the ruler up and the pistol ones will slide out from underneath. You can check a bunch at a time this way.

 

[Demi-human]

.45-70 pressure is not that high compared to some rifle calibers, so that is in your favor, because the pistol primer cups are thinner.

While not dangerous, per se, there’s nothing like a burned off firing pin to ruin a good range trip.

I know you know, but a primer piercing firing pin can be burned off too short at an inopportune moment, only after eroding the firing pin hole and etching the bolt face.

Well the mixing of primers was NOT intentional.

I have never been comparing a bucket of Nine millimeter and smaller bucket of .380 and dropped both off the side of the bench, onto the floor. Like, the entire floor of the garage.

It ain’t easy, even if they are labeled!