Shotshell Primer ?

[lizziedog1]

I know that substituting components in shotshell reloading is not a good idea. But, how important is the primer? Does shanging one primer for another really make that much difference in shotgun shells?

 

[loadedround]

Probably not since a shotgun operates at a much lower pressure curve than a pistol or rifle. However I would suggest you stick with a listed load and not switch components. There are loads listed for all makes of primers and components in the Lyman Shot Shell Loading Manual. You may mix and match all components as long as you follow the listed load that matchs your combination. By following the manual you will never into trouble.

 

[oneounceload]

Yes, it CAN. There are some accepted substitutions, where the differences, if any, are negligible enough to be consider a non-starter - Win 209 and NobelSport comes to mind. Federal primers and any of the magnum ones are definitely NOT interchangeable. While shotguns do operate at a lower pressure, the guns are not built for rifle-size pressures either. Different hulls cause issues, as does powder and wads. The only component that doesn't matter is the shot.

12 gauge pressure typically run about 11,000 or less, while the smaller bores can run a little hotter - I'm talking MAX pressures. Target shooters like pressures between 8 and 10 K psi

 

[gamestalker]

Primers are very specific to each component recipe and should not be substituted. Even though pressures in shotshells runs much lower than that of the average metalic cartridge, consider the difference between the combustion components, one is plastic, the other is metalic, so an increase of 1,000 psi can be significant in shotshell.