Using .223 Primers in Pistol Ammo

[giggitygiggity]

Is it possible to use Wolf .223 Primers in place of SP primers in .40SW loads? Does anyone have a link to a reliable source with recipes that do this? Thanks.

 

[jcwit]

Where did the primers come from? I've never heard of .223 primers from wolf or any other mfg.

If these are from loaded ammo?

 

[jcwit]

Opps. Checked on Powder Valley and yes there is a primer listed as .223, sorry.

 

[Walkalong]

You could. Some pistols may have trouble setting them off. Back off max data a bit. Not the best choice.

 

[Galil5.56]

Definitely possible, but reliable ignition could be a problem. Maybe work up a few loads and see how you like them. I routinely use CCI 450's (small rifle mag) in 9mm for my Beretta M9 with 100% sucess, but this pistol's hammer whack could crack an anvil. On the plus side, my chronograph results show very small sd's using them with slightly higher velocity over std primers.

 

[longdayjake]

which primer are they? The .223 and small rifle should work ok but the small rifle magnum give me issues in my pistols. About 8 out of 10 go off on the first trigger pull and about 5% dont go off at all.

 

[jcwit]

Are these Wolf primers somewhat comparable to the CCI No. 34 primers?
Just wondering after my flubdub earlier.

 

[Historian]

I have used CCI SRs in .40S&W. I had heard of problems with hammer strike not setting them off so I loaded a couple in empty cases and put them in the chamber of my M&P. I put the hearing protection on, closed the slide and squeezed them off. Both went off so I loaded up a hundred with 4.2g of 231. They worked just fine.

Historian

 

[EddieNFL]

Even if you get ignition, it may be erratic. I tried LRs in 45ACP some years ago. Accuracy was acceptable and I did not experience any misfires, but when I ran the load across the chrono, the SD was atrocious. Only way to know is try 'em.

 

[rcmodel]

I think Wolf are closer to mil-spec hardness then CCI SRM primers.

You may well have misfires in striker fired guns.

rc

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Small rifle primers appear indentical to small pistol primers but they are usually harder. I had a batch of .380 ammo that must have been loaded with small rifle primers. My double action only pistol, that worked fine with WW factory .380, took 1, 2 or three strikes to fire with that hard primered ammo. Great for detecting if you are flinching in anticipation of recoil, but I would hate to snap-snap-snap with Cujo running at me.

 

[jcwit]

Even if you get ignition, it may be erratic. I tried LRs in 45ACP some years ago.

Wondering just how you seated the large rifle primers a couple of thousands below flush, as they are supposed to be, in .45 ACP pistol brass. Large rifle primers are taller/longer than large pistol primers. Not a good reloading practice.

Small rifle and small pistol are the same length however, but its not recommended to sub small pistol for small rifle because of the pressure differences. Other way around, small rifle for small pistol, not much of a problem as long as you download a trifle "what ever a trifle is", and you get ignition.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I too have loaded .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim and seating Large Rifle primers flush can be a problem with some lots of casings. And loaded black powder rifle loads with pistol primers. The excuse in both cases was I was out of the right style and used what I had available. Duh.

My decision is it is best to use small pistol primer in pistol casings, small rifle primer in rifle casings, large pistol primer in pistol casings, and large rifle primer in rifle casings. If I don't have the proper type on hand, it is time to stock up on the right size, and not make do with what almost fits.

And don't develop a load with standard primers and then use magnum primers because that's all I have left.