Small pistol primers question

[RWMC]

Is it safe to replace using small pistol primers with small pistol magnum primers ? Thank you for your help .

 

[Patocazador]

It is safe but it may not produce the same results.

 

[ray15]

You'll always get somebody who says they use small rifle magnum primers in their .380 loads and it makes no difference, but the truth is a hotter primer will increase peak chamber pressure. If the load is not near max pressure this may have little consequence. I presonally am not comfortable using a hotter primer without some sort of compensation (reduced charge or longer OAL).

 

[frankmako]

I do it all the time. Many mango seasons ago when it was hard to get primers I ran a test between standard primers v mag primers in 9mm, 40 s&w, and 45 acp. I used the same powder and weight for each. Shot across my chronograph and found that mag primers gave me 25 fps more over standard primers. So now I only buy mag primers in pistol and rifle. I got some 308 and 30-30 data somewhere but it was not much more. So if your load is at the max or over max I would not. But if your loads are not max do it. I would buy a chronograph it is piece of reloading equipment that you should have. Remember book reloading data is a go by and I have never been able to match the books numbers.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

As frankmako said the difference is minor. But you shouldn’t take his word or mine.
Instead follow safe practices, back off your loads and woek them back up to be safe.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I tried this a little while ago when I was running low (<5k) on Federal SPP, but I could get Federal SP Magnum primers for 20% less.

The issue was that the magnum primers were a hair larger in diameter (didn't feed as smoothly in my primer tube loader and took a bit more pressure to completely seat) and weren't as sensitive. This was limited to Federal Match SP Magnum Primers and only a sampling of a couple hundred in my competition revolver

 

[nettlle]

Although I have never tried this I would do it if magnum SPP were all I could get. I would start off by reducing my starting load by 15%. If both standard and magnum available and the suggested load for standard I would not deviate from standard. I wouldn't have a good reason to do so.

 

[Walkalong]

At less that max? Most likely just fine. But why, unless you just found a gazillion if them at half price or something.

 

[wrench459]

I think that I saw a article that stated a difference of 3,000psi between sp and magnums.

 

[nettlle]

At 15% less than starting load. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[fxvr5]

I think that I saw a article that stated a difference of 3,000psi between sp and magnums.

Unless you can direct us to the original article, it's merely hearsay.

 

[wrench459]

snip "A primer contains a primary explosive, which basically means that it’s unstable and volatile. Propellants are generally considered secondary explosives.They’re more stable and burn with a slower velocity". end snip.

snip "Because any variance in this initial “explosion” can cause a much bigger variance in the secondary charge ignition, it’s important to use the exact primer type called for in published load recipes". end snip.

snip "It’s not unheard of for different primer brands for the exact same load to create velocity differences of 100 feet per second or more and pressure variance of thousands of pounds per square inch. Lyman’s reloading manual references one primer test that resulting in variance of 9,300 psi just from swapping to a different primer brand." end snip

Be safe guys and gals.

 

[fxvr5]

snip "A primer contains a primary explosive, which basically means that it’s unstable and volatile. Propellants are generally considered secondary explosives.They’re more stable and burn with a slower velocity". end snip.

snip "Because any variance in this initial “explosion” can cause a much bigger variance in the secondary charge ignition, it’s important to use the exact primer type called for in published load recipes". end snip.

snip "It’s not unheard of for different primer brands for the exact same load to create velocity differences of 100 feet per second or more and pressure variance of thousands of pounds per square inch. Lyman’s reloading manual references one primer test that resulting in variance of 9,300 psi just from swapping to a different primer brand." end snip

Be safe guys and gals.

What is the source of this information?

 

[wrench459]

https://www.gunsamerica.com/

 

[fxvr5]

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/

Which specific article/post/thread? Please post a link to the article you got the information from.

Pretend you're a writer and cite your references.

Up to now it's all hearsay unless you can provide the specific source where you claim to have seen this information. That way, others can check out the information to help them determine if it is from a reliable source.

 

[wrench459]

I'm more of a interested observer.

 

[FROGO207]

I also have done this with the primers/MAG primers. BUT you have to work up the load when changing primers like any other component substitution to be safe. If you are in the lower half of the workup range it might be OK to just swap them but I will always do a limited work up at a minimum anyway. Also the MAG primer cups are harder so try a few to see if what you are shooting them in will set the primers off reliably before loading up a metric ton of them.

 

[fxvr5]

I'm more of a interested observer.

If you can't provide the source, there's no reason for us to believe that what you've posted is correct.

 

[wrench459]

Dang, I thought that I did.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Will they fit, yes. Are they safe, most likely if you're not at max charge weights. Should you, it depends.

In very small cases like the.380 ACP and 9mm the difference will be more noticeable than with larger cases like the .38 Special or .44 Special. Like already said, as with all component changes drop back and work up slowly for safety.

Why do you want to use magnum primers in place of standard primers?

 

[Zendude]

Are there any SAAMI standards that manufacturers use to differentiate standard vs magnum primers?

 

[Patocazador]

I use magnum primers with all ball powders regardless of what the particular manual says. Every manual varies even when using similar components.
These manuals got started just like a cook book recipe and the recipes varied depending on the users just like cooking recipes do.

As long as the oven doesn't blow up, the cooks (reloaders) will continue to experiment just as the testers in these manuals do. Using common sense and a degree of caution seems to be a thing of the past.