True Blue and mag primers

[thomis]

I read on another (ahem) forum where use of mag primers with Ramshot's True Blue increased the size of groups, particularly out of a revolver chambered in .44 mag.

Ramshot's manual (or online .pdf file in this case) calls for a Fed 155 primer, which when I looked it up, is a magnum primer.

I guess what I'm asking is what is your experience using True Blue, specifically in .44 mag handloads. Do you, or do you not use mag primers, and what was/is your impression with accuracy?

If it helps, I'm using Nosler 240 jacketed SP's out of a Ruger Super Blackhawk.

Many thanks

 

[thomis]

bump

 

[wardor]

I'm gradually switching to mag primers on everything (tougher cup and require less powder). I've had no issues with accuracy using mag primers and True Blue, but I do rework up loads, and never go to max using mag primers.

 

[wardor]

Curious in NC, where did you find your True Blue? I moved here last year, and can't find Ramshot powders in this state and been ordering online.

 

[thomis]

Wardor,
I ordered it online. It seems to be a lot less popular but I like it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Current load data very standard and IMO the authors are lazy. Now they use a magnum primer with every powder they load in a cartridge with a magnum in it's name and standard primers with every powder they use in none magnum cartridges. 2400 is universally known to perform much better with a standard primer yet all the current load data will tell you to use a magnum primer if you use 2400 in a 357 Magnum or 44 Magnum but not if they use it in a cartridge like the 45 Colt or even a 38 Special. (not that you will find .38 Special 2400 data these days)

Magnum primers are only needed to ignite hard to ignite slow ball powders like HS-6, HS-7 and W296/H110. It's not the cartridge or it's name, it's the powder that requires a magnum primer.

 

[thomis]

Archangel...so, do you use a mag primer with True Blue?

 

[Walkalong]

I use regular primers with True Blue. In LP I am using Winchesters right now, which say for standard or mag loads, if it makes a difference. I have not tried any LP Mag primers with it. Don't even have any.

 

[ssyoumans]

I have been using standard CCI SP primers with True Blue in both 357 Mag and 40 S&W. I haven't had any issues with it, but I have not done any accuracy comparisons.

357 Mag, 140gr XTP, 9.0 gr True Blue gave 1029 fps, ES of 48 fps from 2" SP101, same load out of 3" gave 1121 fps, ES of 52 fps.

The ES is fairly typical for me using my Uniflow powder measure. I did not weigh each charge, but the powder flows really well.

 

[Walkalong]

ES has very little to do with how a powder meters.

True Blue meters as good as it gets, and usually gives good ES & SD numbers. Unique meters decent, and usually gives good ES & SD numbers. There are other examples as well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Archangel...so, do you use a mag primer with True Blue?

When I burned up the one pound I bought during the 2008 shortage I used standard primers with the whole pound.