Remington small pistol primers and .357/.40

[rick300]

I've got a question regarding these. I purchased a box about a year ago and just opened them last week. I loaded 200 .357 and 200 .40, both light loads (125 gn over 7 gns bullseye and 155 gns over 6.8 gns unique. Ive shot 50 of the .357 (before I saw the warning) with no problem.
So I was looking online last night at these primers and there is a warning about not using theme in these calibers, no other info. I looked at the box I have and there is no warning on it. This must be something new. Can someone enlighten me? Should I shoot these? You guys have kept me safe so far. I hope you will help me again. Thanks in advance, Rick

 

[TonyT]

I have used REM SPP in mild 357 and 40 S&W loads - much milder than yours. 357 -158 gr Plated at ca. 700 fps - 40 S&W 180 gr. jacketed 750 fps.

 

[rick300]

TT Thanks for the reply.

 

[rcmodel]

Remington prints a warning right on the carton not to use the 1 1/2 primers in high pressure calibers.

The proper primer for high intensity calibers is the 5 1/2M.

The problem lies in a thinner cup intended to work with little .25 ACP pistols and other low pressure guns with light firing pin impact.

The problem is with pierced primers from high pressure loads leaking hot gas on the firing pin tip and eroding it.
That makes it rough or sharp, and the problem will feed on itself until you get pierced primers with any primers.

As long as you don't see black soot in the firing pin dent in the primer you should be O.K. using them.
At the first sign of leakage though, stop using them or reduce the load.

rc

 

[rick300]

Thanks RC. I looked at that box again, there is a warning. (little tiny letters) do I feel stupid? I also looked at the spent brass again, none of the primers were pierced. I'll keep an eye on them (.357 as I have already shot some). I think I'll dismantle the fourtys though. Rick

 

[Husker_Fan]

Is this dependent on the powder? I have not had a problem with 1 1/2 primers in .357 loads using A2400. Would it be better to just use the magnum primers (and back off the charge a bit) even though the powder doesn't need the hotter primer? I'm not shooting max loads.

 

[rcmodel]

It has nothing to do with the powder.

The factors it depends on are.
1. How much pressure the load develops.
2. How hard the firing pin hits the primer.
3. Firing pin tip shape.

rc

 

[rick300]

Husker Fan, just curious what fire arm are you shooting these from? Rick

 

[Husker_Fan]

Six inch Ruger GP-100.

I have seen the warning and read about the issue before, but haven't had an issue.

 

[rick300]

Husker Fan, Same for me, nice piece one of my favorites. Rick

 

[Husker_Fan]

It's a wonderful gun. I just looked at some spent brass and notice that the impression from the firing pin is a lot bigger than the .38 brass I have fired out of my S&W's. Either I'm not running high pressures (which I'm not too surprised by) or the large surface of the firing pin spreads the pressure out enoght to keep the primer intact.