Primers for 500S&W?

[Shrinkmd]

I was looking at the load data from Alliant Powder and Vihtavuori powder, and it looks like Alliant used a large rifle magnum primer (Fed 215) whereas Vihta used a standard primer. I didn't read this carefully enough, and I had worked up loads in all three powders listed (Power Pistol, 2400, and 300MP) with CCI Large Rifle primers.

I am planning on going back and remaking those loads with the Fed 215 Large Rifle Magnum primer to see if there what the difference is. I know that normally you never use a magnum primer with any of those 3 Alliant powders, but I guess the giant 500S&W case might need it? I had very inconsistent and slower results, especially with 300MP using the standard LR primer.

Have people used standard LR primers with the Vihta powders? I have some Berry's plated 350 gr bullets to make up some practice loads with...

 

[noylj]

Rifle primers.
If you are using H110/296 or an even slower rifle powder, then (depending on what the loading manual shows) you will want a large magnum rifle (LMR) primer.
If you are shooting 4227 or 2400, a standard primer is all you need.
The use of magnum primers are to ignite really hard to ignite powders like 296/H110 or really slow powders for the cartridge. The test lab will have determined which produced the most consistent pressure impulse and you can simply trust their findings.
I don't like 296/H110 and have never needed (except with those powders) a magnum primer. Then again, I don't push my magnums to max loads.
Have fun and don't strain your wrist...

 

[Hondo 60]

I was working up a 357 magnum load with 2400.
I was almost ready to use the 2400 as fertilizer until I decided to use magnum primers.
WOW!!! what a difference.

16 gr of 2400 with a 125 gr HP bullet has become my favorite 357 mag load.

The difference between standard & magnum primers can be very dramatic.
While you may not NEED magnum primers with 2400, for me it absolutely made a world of difference.
My results (using a chronograph) are MUCH, MUCH more consistent.

 

[FROGO207]

The general rules stated above in post #2 are good ones. Now with the 500 S&W you will find the results inconsistent with some propellants using standard LR primers. I did what you did for the reasons of poor ignition while you did it first by accident so the message here is the need to pay close attention to details to remain safe. As you have actually worked up the your loads rather than just substituting a MAG primer for standard or vice versa there should be no safety problems with your loads. I now use Mag primers in all my 500 S&W loads and see the most consistent results also.

 

[Jaxondog]

You can use any of the powder's that are recommened, that was not the question. But you should use the Large Magnum Rifle Primer's because on some case's and more than less, the standard primer sit's too deep in the pocket and a lot of time's the round will not fire. Sometime's you can fire the same round again and it will work, but that is not only dangerous but a pain in the ass. I recommend using the Large Rifle Magnum Primer's. JMHO

 

[kestak]

+1 magnum large rifle primers. I load 500 SW with 3 different powders and I use exclusively those WITH A helluva of a crimp!