magnum primer question

[shiftyer1]

I've had a hard time finding small pistol primers locally, I did buy a box of magnum primers

I plan on loading 3.7 to 4 grains under a 158 lswc......an I ok to substitue the mag primers?

I'm loading .38 special

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, no problem unless you are already loading a MAX load in a Magnum or something.

You didn't say what kind of powder you are loading 3.7 - 4.0 grains of, but regardless?

Choot'm Elizabeth Choot'm!

rc

 

[JLDickmon]

if we knew what powder you are using, we might have opinions..
Magnum primers are rarely "needed" to light .38 rounds..

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Magnum primers will burn slightly longer and slightly hotter than standard primers so there's really no problem using them in a .38 Special. If you're already at Max charge you might want to drop back .1gr or .2 gr and work back up. Magnum primers will not cause a nuclear explosion, they are only primers...

 

[shiftyer1]

Oooops sorry i'm using hp-38 powder.

I understand that magnum primer is not necessary, it's what I could find locally.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oooops sorry i'm using hp-38 powder.

I understand that magnum primer is not necessary, it's what I could find locally.

Very few powders require a magnum primer, even when loaded in a "magnum" round. I handguns only hard to ignite Ball Powders like W296/H110, HS-6 and HS-7 are the ones that come to mind.

BTW, HP-38 and W231 are the same exact powder and you are correct, they do not require magnum primers even though they are a ball powder.

 

[murf]

unless you are shooting competition, the mag primers should do fine.

murf

 

[45crittergitter]

I would not use them unless your manufacturer-published load data for your load calls for magnum primers.

 

[yippi]

I had the same question. Was running short on regular Winchester standard and had several thousand winchester small pistol magnum on hand so i did a test. using all same components with HS-6 powder, shooting a 10 shot string over my chrony, the magnums were 12 fps slower than the standard primer. 1122 for magnums and 1134 for standards. Standard Federal 100's turned in 1140 fps.

 

[Grumulkin]

Yes, no problem unless you are already loading a MAX load in a Magnum or something.

You didn't say what kind of powder you are loading 3.7 - 4.0 grains of, but regardless?

Choot'm Elizabeth Choot'm!

rc

Actually, it should be "choot 'um, Lis'bet, choot 'um."

 

[FROGO207]

I agree---there should be no problems using MAG primers as long as you do at least an abbreviated workup to assure safety. The one thing not mentioned is the cups are a bit harder and on some handguns with weak firing pin springs may not ignite reliably. Not as bad as if you use SR primers but some have noted this problem. I have a Davis Industries 380 that bothers when using them---one in 3 may FTF. IMHO it is not worth fixing it as regular SPP work well. I do this swap often depending on what I have on hand. I just note in my reloading book what if any difference they made when working up the first time to reference for the next time I do it.