Magnum Primers

[GregLaROCHE]

How many people use magnum primers for their BP loads?

[ELFEGO BACA]

I started out using CCI250s for my 38/55.
I use BR-2s for my 45/70 black powder loads!��

[country gent]

Ive been having good results with Rem Std large rifle primers. Have also used federal gold medals. Find a load and test primer to see what the rifle likes and works best

[Edward]

Winchester large rifle primers work for me\Ed

[rfd]

there are excellent shooters using a brand variety of large pistol, standard, and magnum primers. primers are just another variable and it doesn't much matter who's using what, we each need to see what works best for the cartridges we build. if yer just starting out, primers are about the last thing to mess with, so start off with any standard primer and work on the cartridge load itself to deliver the best consistent accuracy possible ... then trial other primers.

[Larry Gibson]

I use the Federal 215 magnum primers for my full service M1873/82 replicant BP loads (70 Fffg heavily compressed) under the Lee 405HB or the Rapine 460500.

For my reduced target loads or duplex loads I use a WLR primer.

[beltfed]

All my BP loads are with Std F150/F150M LP primers
Get narrow E.S. with them
beltfed/arnie

[Nobade]

I found the Russian lg. Rifle primers work best for me. Magnum ones open up the groups.

[greenjoytj]

I use CCI 350 Magnum primers in my 45 Colt black powder hand loads. I bought the Mike Venturino book Shooting Sixguns of The Old West in this book he mention the CCI 350 got the best accuracy in his guns.
So that’s where I started with my load development, in which I use heavier loadings ex. 35 grs of 2fg and 260gr bullets.

[kokomokid]

Your gun and load will tell you what it likes. I use large pistol primers with .08 art paper under the primer. Remington for 3F in silhouette and cci with 1 1/2 for creedmoor with Swiss powder.

[sharps4590]

As others have mentioned, let the rifle tell you what it likes. Having said that and do believe it I've used Federal 215's since I started with BPC 30+ years ago and am ashamed to admit I've never tried anything else. All my rifles like them well enough I've seen no need to experiment. Consequently I might be leaving some fractions on the table when it comes to group size. Game doesn't seem to care.

[Walks]

I always have. Fed 215 for RIFLE. Fed 155 for Revolver, including .38-40 & .44-40.
Even tried .44Mag BP Loads in RIFLE, when my UBERTI '73 busted right before EOT.
Shot those .44Mag loads in the Frontiersman Sidematch, while my '73 was being fixed.

First time I tried the Murphy's oil soap, Hydrogen peroxide & Rubbing alcohol triumvirate to clean Black Powder Guns. Fantastic stuff.

I shot up the rest of the BP 44Mag loads in an old STS VAQUERO in .44mag, 7 1/2" bbl.

I put 242 rounds through that old VAQUERO at one time, gave it a quick wipeout/down between each 50 Round box. No problems at all.

One LEVER Action RIFLE, one Single Shot RIFLE, two Cap & Ball 1860's & a SXS Shotgun.
Cleaned and shiny in under an hour, and MY HANDS WERE CLEAN AND SOFT.

Looks like I got off track here, but I think the powder fouling in the rifles with MAGNUM Primers was a bit less then it had been with std primers.

[MT Chambers]

I never use mag. primers with REAL blackpowder, it ignites very easily, so no need to raise pressure. An early study of primers in BP cartridges with real black powder showed that too hot a primer got the mass moving before powder ignition and that is why some started using primer wads, to limit the effect of the primers on the load. Many folks use the lightest primers that will fit.

[craneman]

When i started magnum primers were recomended. Through experimentation it didn't take long to see they just aren't needed. My match loads today either use CCI BR2 or Fed 150p Match. Different loads in different rifles like different primers in my experience. Sometimes the difference is small but can tighten up a group.
Todd

[maxiblu]

I had a cracked firing pin block (didn't know it) in my Pedersoli Sharps and found the Federal LR primers would work because they were the softest LR primer. Large Pistol primers would also work. I now can use any brand but found the Federal LR are still what works best for my gun (what luck)!! Anyway buy 100 of each brand at Bass Pro and find out what works best with your load and gun.