Powder/Primer Combinations for non-standard Primer Options

[Harriw]

Hi all,

While I do have primers in the varieties I need, I'm sure like many of us I have less than I'd like to comfortably weather this shortage. Also like many of us, I have some primer varieties that I could make work "in a pinch," but are less than ideal. I thought I'd start a thread looking for suggestions on powders that might pair well with these non-standard primer options.

In my specific examples I'm talking about 9mm (and .223/5.56 perhaps), but feel free to chime in with any other calibers as well as others may find it useful. Or any other "outside the box" primer options that I haven't mentioned here.

For 9mm, I have a brick of Winchester Small Pistol Magnum Primers that I know I could make use of. But I'm curious what powder might pair nicely with them for 9mm. For my purposes I'm using mainly RMR 124gr. MPR projectiles. I've used HS-6 with these magnum primers before successfully (with Hornady 115gr XTP's, but I'm sure the RMR rounds would be just fine as well). Any other powders that might be a good fit for the hotter magnum primers? I have a good supply of CFE-pistol and Win 231, but I also have 1-lb containers of most other common pistol powders if there are others that would be a better fit.

I also have a brick of CCI #400 Small Rifle Primers that Federal doesn't recommended for .223 (primer cups are a bit softer than the #450's they DO recommend) that I thought I might try to re-purpose for 9mm. My understanding is that these are the exact same product as CCI's small pistol magnum primers, just packaged in a different box with a different label. I'm guessing they'd work well with the same powders that the Winchester Magnum primers might?

Thanks all!

 

[Charlie98]

I also have a brick of CCI #400 Small Rifle Primers that Federal doesn't recommended for .223 (primer cups are a bit softer than the #450's they DO recommend)

I've found CCI primers in general to have pretty hard primer cups regardless. I've used #400's in standard AR loads prior without problems, in fact, I got better velocity and SD numbers vs #450's. Of course, the key is to make sure it's seated at or below flush.

I've used Unique with Magnum primers... no problems there, either.

 

[MacAR]

I use #400 primers and a healthy charge of W231 in my 38 +p loads, with no bad outcomes so far. Zero evidence of overpressuring, no stretched cases, etc. Use the same primer and a case full of 4320 in my .222, and they function fine. Can't see where the 223 would be any different. As to powder, I like W231 pretty well, and as Charlie said, unique is good too.

Mac

 

[Harriw]

I like W231 as well, and it's my go-to for 115gr 9mm loads. But they've taken it out of the manuals for 124gr 9mm in large part, which I assume was done for a reason. I've been using CFE Pistol for those instead. I like it a lot, but wish it worked better at the lower end (like W231 seems to) so I dont have to always shoot hot loads.

I do have some unique too, and will try that with the hotter primers.

 

[MacAR]

Hodgdon gives a starting load of 3.9 grs W231 for 124 gr 9mm, with a max of 4.4 grs. If I were you, I might start at 3.5 grs (my 38 spl plinking load under 158gr lswc) and work up. 3.5 might not cycle the slide, so work up to 3.9 by 10ths of a grain. I'm certainly not an expert, so try at your own risk, etc. etc.

Mac

 

[fxvr5]

I also have a brick of CCI #400 Small Rifle Primers that Federal doesn't recommended for .223 (primer cups are a bit softer than the #450's they DO recommend) that I thought I might try to re-purpose for 9mm. My understanding is that these are the exact same product as CCI's small pistol magnum primers, just packaged in a different box with a different label. I'm guessing they'd work well with the same powders that the Winchester Magnum primers might?

They are NOT the same.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6811870#post6811870

See posts number 7 and 14.

And see the updated ar15 post here;

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/...Tech-About-SPM-vs-SR-Primers-Today/42-282516/

Ask CCI yourself; https://www.cci-ammunition.com/contactus

When it comes to comments like this over the internet, don't believe them. Ask the manufacturer directly!!! (Forums are the worst source for factual information!!!)

 

[Reloadron]

There is no shortage of bad, poor or misinformation floating around out there regarding primers. On a few occasions I simply contacted CCI via an email and they are nothing short of great with getting back to you. I have even saved a few of their email replies so when questions arise I can quote CCI or any manufacturer. Post #6 above points to a recent discussion on the subject. Getting with a manufacturer insures the dope you get is not just accurate but current since things do change.

Ron

 

[MacAR]

They are NOT the same.

Quite correct; they are not the same. However, I have used them in pistol rounds without issue so far. I will say that I use them in my single action revolver, and not auto pistols (don't have any), so whether or not the firing pin will actually ignite them will be something the OP would have to determine himself. To date, I've had zero issues using small rifle primers in my pistol. YMMV, etc etc.

Mac