Primer question

[Rat Robb]

Im getting read work up some target loads of .357 magnum with 158 LRN and W231. I have found that some data calls for small pistol primers but a few called for small pistol magnum primers. I know I need magnums for IMR 4227, which is my next work ups, but didn't think I would need them with the W231.

Any help on this would be appreciated, thanks

-Robb

 

[CaptHank]

Small pistol primers with W231.

 

[elwoodm]

231 is a fast powder and with lead you are not going to be using that much of it . regular small pistol primers are fine. as rc says just choootem or maybe thats just two o's

 

[edfardos]

Mag primers only for ball powders or extreme cold environments. Not for w231.

 

[jim243]

work up some target loads of .357 magnum

Target loads are generally a lighter amount of powder. The 357 Mag case is pretty large compare to the amount of powder you will have in it. The age old question is if the gun is pointed down the powder is not near the primer but at the bullet. If you point the barrel to the sky, then the powder is next to the primer.

To avoid these issues most 357 Mag rounds are loaded with a Small Pistol Mag primer to not be concerned about this issue.

Now you can do what ever you want, just don't blame us if you get a squib or hang fire, by using standard primers.

Jim

Why don't you just follow your reloading manual for what it calls for?

 

[Schwing]

I wouldn't put much thought into it beyond using the published load data. If the load data calls for magnum primers, use them. If it doesn't, don't use them. If you are not using published load data then you are on your own so to speak

Whether you use magnum primers has nothing to do with the temperature, caliber, bullet weight, how much empty space is left in a case, or which direction the powder is in the case when it is fired. It is based SOLELY on the powder being used. If it is an actual MAGNUM powder then a magnum primer is called for. The load data is the gospel on this one.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I've used nothing but small pistol primers with my 357, no issues. I've used W231/HP38, Bullseye and N320.

 

[Potatohead]

Schwing is all over it IMO.


When he said:

I wouldn't put much thought into it beyond using the published load data. If the load data calls for magnum primers, use them. If it doesn't, don't use them. If you are not using published load data then you are on your own so to speak

 

[Toprudder]

Can't speak on the use of magnum primers in 357. However I will relate some experience I've had with small vs small magnum vs large primers in .45acp.

Since all the load data I have found for 45acp specifies large primers, I figured I would be safe using either regular or magnum small primers in small primer cases. When using maximum, or near max, charges, there isn't a lot of difference between small or large primers. My experience has been about 30fps in most cases. (Interestingly, I usually see an improved standard deviation with the small primers). When at the lower end of the recommended range, however, with some powders it makes a HUGE difference. For instance, PB powder seems to be very sensitive to primer types at the lower end of the range. I have seen over 100fps difference between small and large, with a very wide spread for the small primers. Using small magnum in that case improved the consistency (smaller SD and spread) over the regular small primers, though it still wasn't quite as good as the large primers.

Having said all that, I would not rule out trying small magnum primers in 38spl or 357 casings as long as I was not at the upper end of the recommended loads in published data.

However, that is me. YMMV. Don't take my word for it. Caveat Emptor. Yada yada yada.