When using small pistol *magnum* primers instead of small pistol primers...

[Corner Pocket]

I did some trading not long ago and ended up with a 1K box of CCI Small Pistol *Magnum* primers. I'd never used any Magnum primers before, but wanted to be able to use them. My first thought was to trade them. I couldn't find anyone to trade them to, so I asked around and got some insight on what I should do.

My favorite .38 Spec load is fashioned by using 5.0 grains of HS-6 under a 148 grain DEWC. These shoot really well in my Taurus 608 wheel gun. (Using standard small pistol primers, of course.) So I primed 50 cases with some of these magnum primers, and then loaded up a few rounds using 4.5 gr, 4.6 gr, 4.7 gr and 4.8 gr, all with HS-6. Just now got back from the range. Without question, the 4.7 gr loads were the best of the lot. They danced right around the bullseye, much like my 5.0 gr loads do with standard primers.

Based on what I learned today, I'll load up the rest of these magnum primers using 4.7 gr of powder. It is really gratifying to learn this kind of thing, and I am indebted to you good folks on this board who are willing to help those like me...

Shoot straight! And shoot often!

Corner Pocket

 

[NCsmitty]

Glad it worked out for you! Smart move reworking a load as you were probably aware that magnum primers can boost pressures using the same charge as standard spp load.

NCsmitty

 

[Corner Pocket]

Yes, I was indeed aware of the increase in pressure, being that magnum primers burn longer and hotter. I'm glad that I performed the tests and have found that I can use these magnum primers up. However, once gone, I don't see myself buying any more of them...

CP

 

[Hook686]

Why will you not continue use of your new found loading ? It seems to me that the cost of standard and magnum primers is the same. You save a few tenths of a grain of powder ... a more economical load.

I noticed that Alliant showed magnum primers in its data on the web site. I asked why the magnum primers were being used. The answer I received back was someting along the lines of well we just reached up on the shelf, and that is what was there.

 

[zxcvbob]

The answer I received back was someting along the lines of well we just reached up on the shelf, and that is what was there.

That's a refreshingly good answer.

I always use magnum primers (or small rifle primers) when I'm using 296 powder. Other than that, I use whatever I have the most of when I'm doing the load development -- and usually what I have the most of is regular pistol primers.

Using a too-hot primer seems to increase the pressure a lot more than it increases the muzzle velocity. If you're not on the bleeding edge of a max load, there's nothing wrong with that; use whatever gives you the best accuracy. (I'm not a good enough shot where it makes much difference.)

 

[Hunter0924]

I do not believe the difference is great.
Winchester large pistol primers are for standard and magnum loads though you did good backing off on the powder charge when changing a component.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Corner Pocket,
You got a little lucky when you decided to use the Magnum primers that the powder you are using is HS-6. If you look back in a lot of the old reloading manuals you will see they recommended the use of a Magnum primer with HS-6 as well as with HS-7. IMO HS-6 works better with a Magnum primer over a standard primer. When I worked up a FBI replica load I decided on HS-6 as the powder and when I tested it with both Magnum and standard primers the ones made with Magnum primers were better rounds. They were more accurate and they produced rounds with single digit SD readings when tested over a Chrono.

IMO you should continue to use a Magnum primer when using HS-6, I am from now on.

 

[Corner Pocket]

Hook686 asked

Why will you not continue use of your new found loading ? It seems to me that the cost of standard and magnum primers is the same. You save a few tenths of a grain of powder ... a more economical load.

A good question -- if 148 gr DEWC was the only bullet I loaded in .38 Spec, I can see where that might be good option. But as I sometimes use other weight lead (and jacketed) bullets, I would need to work up a load for those. (Something I've already spent some time and effort on when using standard primers.) I think for me it would just be easier to use SP primers when I've shot all the magnum primers up. Thanks for the thought.

CP

 

[Corner Pocket]

ArchAngelCD offered the following sentiment:

...If you look back in a lot of the old reloading manuals you will see they recommended the use of a Magnum primer with HS-6 as well as with HS-7. IMO HS-6 works better with a Magnum primer over a standard primer.

I'm glad to see another enthusiast who is enjoying the use of HS-6 out there. In a trade not long ago, I ended up with 10 pounds of it. I'd never shot it until a few weeks ago and fortunately, I like it.

This thread has certainly given me some food for thought! Thanks to all who have commented.

CP

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Corner,
I have been using and testing HS-6 for well over a year now in a lot of different rounds and I like them all. I use Longshot for Jacketed .38 Special +P rounds because it will give me a little more velocity than HS-6 but use only HS-6 for Lead .38 Special +P rounds. If I have no Longshot on hand I don't feel shorted if I load with HS-6.

HS-6 will work very well for your .357 Magnum rounds too. Since H110 and W296 can't be downloaded HS-6 fills the medium to medium-heavy load gap. Also, unlike Longshot, HS-6 will produce accurate ammo in the .38 Special, .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum when using a Lead bullet. Hodgdon doesn't recommend Longshot for those applications but HS-6 shines with those loads. HS-6 will produce the highest velocities in a standard pressure .38 Special than any other Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR powder especially with heavy bullets without pushing the pressure limits.

HS-6 will also work well with .45 Auto rounds although I do prefer W231.