Rifle primers in hand gun loads?

[BigAlofPa.]

Couldn't find a place to put this. So im trying here. A gentleman at the gun club today was telling me he uses rifle primers for all his loads. Anyone else do this? Has my interest caught.

[megasupermagnum]

Small rifle works. Large rifle is best avoided.

[BigAlofPa.]

Yes makes sense. He was shooting 223 and 9mm carbines.

[dragon813gt]

Small rifle are the same size as small pistol. Large primers are different sizes between the two. Assuming your firearm can light them off and you work loads up correctly you can substitute SR for SP. You essentially have a SPM primer when you use SR. This is what I use w/ H110/W296.

[BigAlofPa.]

Cool ill load some 357 with some and see how they do. My LGS charges less for small rifle than small mag pistol. For just target loads in the 357 i run titegroup with standard primers. Sometimes i want some power lol.

[dragon813gt]

I only use them w/ powders that require a magnum primer. No need w/ easy to light powders and the results might no be to your liking. Every gun is different so results are going to vary.

[BigAlofPa.]

Yes trial and error. I had trouble with accu 9 getting a complete burn in 10mm. Magnum primers solved that one for me. I discovered the problem when i got my carbine. I saw pieces of powder in the bore when i scoped it before cleaning. It cleared my 1911 though.

[JBinMN]

Like changing any components in a worked up load; Start low again, & work the load up again to where you were before, while checking for possible issues.

Or, not.

Suit yourself.

Just sayin'.
;)

G'Luck!
:)

[retread]

I mistakenly loaded some 44 mag loads with LRP. I was my normal load which no where near max. I loading the Redhawk up and made sure the cylinder would turn freely, then tired 100 rounds without a problem. LRP will sit a little proud of the case so watch for lack of clearance. I watch my primers closer now:-P

[BigAlofPa.]

Yeah I had some primers in my 38 that i did not seat far enough. Was aggravating lol.

[Winger Ed.]

I used to use SR for 9mm used in a Class III weapon that fired from the open bolt with a fixed firing pin.
They did fine in it.

[Dan Cash]

The use of large rifle primers in pistol ammo is hazardous in the extreme, especially in .45 or other large primer autos. First, they will jack pressure to radical levels and two, since they stand proud of the case base, they invite a slam fire which is a gun breaker. Small rifle and small pistol primers seem to present no problem when intermixed in handgun loads.

[T_McD]

You essentially have a SPM primer when you use SR

This seems to be well established gun forum knowledge, though I cannot say I have seen or heard it from a reloading manual. I have done it in 38 special with no ill effects, but do not make a habit of it.

[NSB]

LR and LP aren't even dimensionally the same size. This IS well established knowledge. SR and SP are the same size.

[Hick]

Once, in a moment of distraction, I put Win small rifle standard primers in 50 38 Special cases, and the Win small pistol standard primers in the 50 223 cases. Both loads shot completely normal with no change in POI. I don't do it on purpose, but its nice to know that in a pinch it can be done.

[Dieselhorses]

A week or so ago I actually measured the "height" of one SPP and one SRP. The SRP was .004 thicker than SPP and if I'm not mistaken the small rifle primers have thicker cup material hence requiring a harder strike. Personally I'll stick with product application unless it's an emergency.

[NSB]

A week or so ago I actually measured the "height" of one SPP and one SRP. The SRP was .004 thicker than SPP and if I'm not mistaken the small rifle primers have thicker cup material hence requiring a harder strike. Personally I'll stick with product application unless it's an emergency.

That would be odd. Here's the SAAMI specs on primer dimensions. This comes up all the time and it's quite surprising how many reloaders haven't seen this before. https://ballistictools.com/articles/primer-pocket-depth-and-diameter.php

[megasupermagnum]

That would be odd. Here's the SAAMI specs on primer dimensions. This comes up all the time and it's quite surprising how many reloaders haven't seen this before. https://ballistictools.com/articles/primer-pocket-depth-and-diameter.php

Look at the tolerances on those. I've never bothered to measure, but I bet manufacturers are all over the map on sizes, plus the usual manufacturing tolerances.

[NSB]

Look at the tolerances on those. I've never bothered to measure, but I bet manufacturers are all over the map on sizes, plus the usual manufacturing tolerances.

Not really. Get your mics out and start measuring.

[str8wal]

Back in the post-SandyHook powder and primer drought I was forced to use SR primers in 9mm and 38 Special. They worked fine and I saw no difference in performance or pressure.

[dragon813gt]

This seems to be well established gun forum knowledge, though I cannot say I have seen or heard it from a reloading manual. I have done it in 38 special with no ill effects, but do not make a habit of it.

You won’t see it any reloading manuals. You will find it if you contact the primer manufacturers. I said “essentially” because I only know it as fact w/ one particular brand. More importantly for me I bought a lot of them at once and know the ones I have use the same compound. Anyone can contact the manufacturers. They’re always willing to answer your questions.

[T_McD]

That is the most authoritative claim I have seen on the subject. I don’t doubt it one bit, but just haven’t felt the need to utilize the knowledge as I still need non magnum SP primers (or at least think I do).

[NSB]

I quit using standard primers several years back. I simply started my loads backed off and worked my way back up. I found no difference in performance or pressure. Winchester now labels their handgun primers "for standard or magnum loads".

[T_McD]

Has anyone used SR primers in .25 acp or .32 acp?

[str8wal]

Winchester now labels their handgun primers "for standard or magnum loads".

They have been for large primers a long time. But, small?

[NSB]

They have been for large primers a long time. But, small?
I'm not sure on the small, I've been using SR primers for a long time. I'll have to look.

[RED BEAR]

Being cheap i use small rifle primers all the time i save $30 per 5000. Can't tell any difference.

[BigAlofPa.]

Last time i bought small Winchester small pistol. It did not say for standard and mag. Large yes.

[trapper9260]

Last time i bought small Winchester small pistol. It did not say for standard and mag. Large yes.

Same here for all the years I been buying Wins. small pistol dose not say for both ,large always did say for both mag and stand. I use mainly Win. for rifle and handgun.I know some data for 327 mag for small rifle primers,I still use only small pistol. I do not have any rounds that shoot SRP. So I see no need to get them.

[Ed_Shot]

Being cheap i use small rifle primers all the time i save $30 per 5000. Can't tell any difference.

AMEN! When I see a sale on Small Rifle Primers on I can't ignore I get all I can afford. I reload for accuracy not velocity and I can't tell any difference between SP and SR primers either.