223 and Small Pistol Primers

[wistlepig1]

Has anyone used small pistol primers in 223? I have used them in 22 Hornet with lots of luck. In 223 I have been using 4198 @ 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, the best has been the 11.5 ( 1x 1 3/8 at 100yds) and this will not work for most of my Prairie Dog shooting. The bullit is the 22 Bator, sized .2255” ( yes I ordered one and it came right in, after 9 months, great service Lee:shock:). The 11.5 clocked at 1900 fps and the Max load in my book is 14.0 grs. Has anyone have any thoughts on trying SPP ers??? Thanks

[Kirk Miller]

On the suggestion of Felix, I went to the spp and it more than halved my groups. I've tried several different brands, and so far, the fed. spp wins out. The winchesters, although great primers, are just to strong, and starts the boolit moving before the powder has had a chance to burn enough. On the other hand, the Remington spp seems to not have enough strength to start the burn of the IMR 4227 correctly?
Kirk

[Rocky Raab]

In very small cases, mild primers are called for precisely because too much brissance will indeed unseat a bullet prematurely. The result is like having grossly different seating depths/OALs.

The Rem 6 ½ small rifle primer was designed for the Hornet/Bee class of cartridges. If it is not available, use a standard CCI or Fed small pistol primer.

[HORNET]

I was just messing with some this past weekend. WITHOUT A FILLER, using H-4227 and AA5744 in a 788 with the 225646, I got 5 perceptible hangfires and had 2 complete misfires (primer went off but didn't light powder) using WSP's at about 70 degrees. I'd given up on trying them on slower powders due to the same problem and REALLY hate trying to stuff dacron down a .22 case neck. I had hangfires/ misfires with some CCI 500's that I had as well, but their condition is suspect as the boxes just 'look funny' (they even misfired with Unique in a Hornet). I don't think I'm going to try anything milder than a Fed. 200 anymore. I hate cleaning dumped powder out of the action when the cases de-boolit.....yuck.

[wistlepig1]

I was just messing with some this past weekend. WITHOUT A FILLER, using H-4227 and AA5744 in a 788 with the 225646, I got 5 perceptible hangfires and had 2 complete misfires (primer went off but didn't light powder) using WSP's at about 70 degrees. I'd given up on trying them on slower powders due to the same problem and REALLY hate trying to stuff dacron down a .22 case neck. I had hangfires/ misfires with some CCI 500's that I had as well, but their condition is suspect as the boxes just 'look funny' (they even misfired with Unique in a Hornet). I don't think I'm going to try anything milder than a Fed. 200 anymore. I hate cleaning dumped powder out of the action when the cases de-boolit.....yuck.

WOW Hornet, you sure had some problems with SPP. I just finished priming 35 test cases before I read your post. I hope 4198 likes them better than the luck you had or I will have to get out the old bullit puller and wisk broom for the action:bigsmyl2:

[shooting on a shoestring]

I just fired 140 rounds of .223 yesterday. All with Fed 100 small pistol primers. Powders were Bullseye (4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 grains) pushing 224438s, and 11.0 grains of 2400 pushing 225415. Rifle is a Ruger M77 II. It has a frining pin fall that can register 6.0 on the Richter Scale. Its never failed to fire rounds primed with small pistol primers. I'll admit Bullseye and 2400 light very easy. The toughest to light powder I've used so far is 4759.

[shotman]

I have used them many times over the years never had any problems have had some problems useing SR in a 38 spl BIG muzzle flash

[Lloyd Smale]

during the shortage I was out of small rifle primers and had a case of small pistol mags and very seldom use that primer. I loaded them all up in 223 ammo and they worked just fine in my ars. I was told that in the case of cci that there small pistol mag and a standard small rifle were the same primers in differnt packages.

[Rocky Raab]

I neglected to mention above that deciding if a small pistol primer is acceptable in a rifle cartridge depends on the load pressure. Pistol primers are designed for a maximum of about 35,000 psi to accommodate rounds like the 357 Magnum.

So, they should not be used in rifle loads exceeding that rather moderate pressure level. Cast bullet loads match that description, for the most part, but DO check your load manual to be sure. As with most reloading situations, if you aren't sure - don't.

[felix]

Prolly more like lawyered 45K now, Rocky! Have no idea, though, and advise continuing using normal testing in desired loads which are suspected high for perforations. Federal was ordered to change the cups to handle mil pressures if they wanted to sell their wares to Uncle. Got an email to that effect, say five years ago from them. ... felix