Question on the Federal Primers

[MGRAY]

I have come across 1,000 Federal Small Rifle Primers # 200. Can these be used in place of the 200 small pistol primers? Can't find the info on Federal site that would explain the diff. Thanks....Marty

 

[HOWARD J]

All your reloading manuals tell you not to use rifle primers in pistol cartridges.
They may increase pressure in the case to a dangerous level.
They have a thicker metal & may give your weapon a hard time trying to fire them
Stay safe---stay healthy

 

[ReloaderFred]

The Federal small pistol primers are #100. The only pistol calibers I use small rifle primers in are hot loads in .38 Super, 9x23 Winchester and .400 Cor-Bon brass with the small primer pocket.

If your handgun will ignite them, due to the slightly thicker cup, then work your load up from the starting loads in your manual. The small rifle primers have a longer and stronger flash than small pistol primers, so that works into the loading data equation, just the same as changing bullets, etc. However, if you're a beginning reloader, then my advice is to stick with pistol primers for handgun cartridges.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Shimitup]

According to current info on Federal's website the 200's are listed solely as magnum pistol primers which I have used them for and they work just fine. Interestingly my boxes call them "small rifle and magnum pistol". Could be they changed the labeling or the product for that matter. My boxes are probably 15yrs old. Currently the 205 is what Federal lists as small rifle.

 

[Krogen]

I used to use Federal 200 primers in .357. Those boxes said small rifle and magnum pistol just like yours do. When they came out with the 205, that dual use description went away. I have gone back to CCI primers now for several reasons.

 

[jcwit]

Can't go wrong with this advice.

The Federal small pistol primers are #100. The only pistol calibers I use small rifle primers in are hot loads in .38 Super, 9x23 Winchester and .400 Cor-Bon brass with the small primer pocket.

If your handgun will ignite them, due to the slightly thicker cup, then work your load up from the starting loads in your manual. The small rifle primers have a longer and stronger flash than small pistol primers, so that works into the loading data equation, just the same as changing bullets, etc. However, if you're a beginning reloader, then my advice is to stick with pistol primers for handgun cartridges.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I've been using CCI small rifle primers in place of small pistol primers for a number of years now. Course I've worked up my loads, and I have no problem with my guns firing the rifle primers. Experience? I've been reloading since the 1960's.

 

[918v]

FC-200 are used in Federal 9mm, 40, and 357 ammo. Go ahead and use them, but work up the load.

 

[Otto]

If you switch to magnums and begin noticing breech face erosion, you'll know why.
Here's a guy that found that out the hard way....
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1399747&highlight=Breech+Pitting

I have always felt it best to use the same primer type shown in the loading data.

 

[LiveLife]

Perhaps you can try trading the SR primers for SP primers?

 

[Walkalong]

My old Fed 200 primers are marked Small Rifle and High Velocity Pistol.

I would treat them as a Small Pistol Mag Primer if loaded in pistol rounds. I doubt your gun will have any trouble igniting them.

 

[jjjitters]

With Federal being known for soft cups, the SR are probably closer to CCI SP's in reguard to cup hardness(a guesstimate).The primer compound is a different story but I've used up several boxes in handguns with no issues. I still use them for "overachiever" pistol calibers that cause primer flow and piercing.
As said, plan on them being more like magnum and start them lower.