Small rifle primers in .357 magnum loads

[Dark Skies]

None of the local or not so local dealers to me have seen small pistol primers since around Christmas!!! They don't know when they will see any either - all on back order, "The Americans are panic buying" they say.

Anyhow. I was wondering if my Winchester 1894 AE will have the oomph to set off small rifle primers reliably in .357 magnum loads. I have no reference because in the past I'd use the specific primers for the specific cartridge, however, we live in interesting times and I'm getting down to my last box of small pistol primers.

Is there any downside to doing this?

Cheers.

 

[DickM]

Small pistol and small rifle primers are exactly the same size (which isn't quite the case for large primers), so there's no problem there.

Rifle primers have slightly thicker cups to contain generally higher pressures, so need a firmer blow from the firing pin to ignite (which rifles provide), but as you're going to be using these reloads in a rifle, that won't be an issue.

Finally, although there is some conflicting testimony on this, rifle primers burn either more vigorously or longer than pistol primers, so in theory can increase pressures for equivalent charges of powder. That should only be an issue if you're already working at or near maximum pressures, in which case you should back off 10% or so on your load and work up again.

 

[gbw]

I'd sure try it, cannot see much downside. Perhaps start at a slightly reduced load of your slower powders. But it IS a rifle and should have plenty of both oomph and strenth.

Possibly others will have a different take.

I thought y'all had become too civilized to permit citizens to own guns? Good luck.

[In SE U.S. primers are now unavailable by and large - who knows for how long. That also happened about 15 years ago iirc. I and probably everyone else who lived through that time remembers and have been stockpiling components, slowly, ever since and we are fine.)

 

[loadedround]

I wish I could give you some decent advice but unfortunately I can not. My current Speer Maual #14 shows both CCI small pistol and SP magnum primers only in all their rifle loads. Since you are running out of small pistol primers and only shooting these loads in a rifle and not a pistol, I would be tempted to try SR in your rifle. I would reduce my load by at least 5% and work up. Your Marlin is certainly strong enough to fire those SR primers, basically the only difference would be a thicker primer cup and a hotter flame.. Please understand, I am not suggesting you do this, but what I would do if in your shoes. Good luck.

 

[Walkalong]

I have tried SRP's with a couple of medium burning powders in .357 mag, and it works fine, but, in those limited applications, my accuracy was better with standard primers.

Definitely reduce your load as posted already.

 

[Dark Skies]

Cheers for all the info. I guess the safest thing would be to load about twenty rounds at my reloading data manuals lowest charge for the relevant bullet and see how it goes. My main concern was whether the strike of my pistol round carbine would be sufficient to set off the primer - but everyone seems to think it'll be fine so I'll press ahead and see how it goes.

 

[NCsmitty]

As others have mentioned, if your loads are near Max, a small reduction of powder charge is prudent. The use of SR primers is actually a good idea with it's thicker cup providing less chance of piercing and safely withstanding higher pressures. Being used in a rifle only situation, it will be fine.

NCsmitty

 

[rcmodel]

Unless you modified the spring, any Winchester lever-action will have way enough hammer impact to set off any primer.

rc

 

[LTR shooter]

I have used Fed small rifle primers in 357 mag loads using VV N-110. Some of their manuals even state sm. rifle with N-110 in 357. Now this is the ONLY powder I have used sm. rifle with 357 loads. My TC had no problem with ignition and the accuracy was exceptionally good.

 

[Dark Skies]

That's very reassuring guys. Many thanks. Small riffle primers are still in good supply here. I'll buy a whole bunch. Hey, everybody else is doing it so I guess I'll have to stockpile too.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO you would be better off using a small pistol Magnum primer instead of a small rifle primer. Magnum primers are about the only primers still available around here. If you can find them that would be my suggestion, besides, small rifle primers are in HUGE demand, you just might be able to trade them off 2 to 1.

 

[Walkalong]

IMO you would be better off using a small pistol Magnum primer instead of a small rifle primer

Agreed, if you have them both.

 

[Dark Skies]

In the current drought I'll take whatever I can find.

 

[Jim Watson]

There is little risk. At one time Federal recommended their small rifle primer for .357 magnum, because they did not then make a small pistol magnum.

I have loaded 9mm P with small rifle primers and had no misfires and no "pressure signs." Of course I am not loading at the maximum.