Small rifle primer for .40S&W

[JSM]

I was in the local gun store earlier to buy small pistol primers. They were out. The owner asked what I was loading and the powder I use (titegroup). He then recommended using small rifle primers instead. He also said that the IPSC and USPSA guys often use small rifle primers.

What is the effect of using SRP's on a pistol load? I've been using 4.2 grn's of titegroup at 1.125" OAL and 180 grn plated FP's with small pistol primers.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I always use small rifle primers for my pistol loads. they aren't any hotter than small pistol, just a bit harder. They will work fine for you.

You can't do this with large primers though because the large rifle are slightly higher than the large pistol.

 

[toecutter]

Used Both

I've used both large rifle and small rifle in pistol loads. I tend to be rather conservative on my loadings and have not had any problems. In my experience the primer cups are harder in rifle primers, except for magnum primers this is the only difference I have really found.

Only once did we have some issues with one of my friends pistols shooting .45 ACP. It seemed his pistol didn't smack the primers hard enough to set them off every time.

The main reason I do this, is I often reload pistol calibers for my rifles. I have a mauser rebarreled in .45ACP and a .44mag lever action. No problems other than some guns with worn springs not hitting them hard enough.

 

[Bottom Gun]

Careful - Large rifle primers are approx .008 taller than large pistol primers and will not seat properly without slightly crushing them. That may be a reliability issue.

 

[TonyT]

I know that a number of shooters use small rifle primers in calibers such as 40 S&W. In my experience some guns will not reliably ignite the small rifle primers.

I found several thousand Rem 6 1/2 that I had used many years ago.. Loaded them in some 9mm and 40 S&W's and found the following in terms of reliability of ignition:
9mm - SA1911, PO18-9 were always relaible;CZ-75, Sig 228 Sport & S&W 5906 sometimes would not ignite; Walther P-99, S&W 99, S&W 952 had a high percentage of rounds which would not ignite.
40 S&W - CZ-40 and Sig 229 Sport have not shown any problems so far.

My goal is to use up the small rifle primers and then return to the standard small pistol primers.

 

[toecutter]

Careful - Large rifle primers are approx .008 taller than large pistol primers and will not seat properly without slightly crushing them. That may be a reliability issue.

Worse still, could be a safety issue, allowing for slamfires. I havn't had a problem, most pockets are pretty deep. Since the LR loadings are either fired in a revolver, my bolt action .45ACP (intended to be cross compatible). I havn't noticed any issues, but definately others should be aware of.

Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Bottom Gun]

It could possibly prevent a semi-auto from going completely into battery as well.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have shot some Federal S.R. primers in 9mm P. It boosts the velocity and no doubt the pressure a little bit... but not as much as a S.P. Magnum.

 

[Bottom Gun]

Maybe the Federal primers are a bit different.
I use Winchester small rifle primers in .38/.357 and saw no difference when I chronoed them.

 

[JSM]

I appreciate the feedback. Bottomline is that it should be fine to use srp in .40 S&W. To be on the safe side I'm going to reduce the powder amount and work my way up when I use srp.

 

[HSMITH]

I shoot thousands and thousands of rifle primers in 40. I prefer Winchester and Federal FWIW.

I saw velocities increase by about 15-30 FPS depending on the powder, and all loads had a reduction in SD. Some of the really inconsistent powders like TiteGroup went from SD's in the 50's or 60's to around 20. Clays had an SD of around 25-30, it is now 6 or 7.

I shoot these loads in a box stock G22 and a custom 1911 type without a problem at all. I have never had a light strike in either gun, the 1911 is running a 17 pound mainspring and a very light hammer so it doesn't hit them very hard but it runs like a swiss watch.