Small Pistol Magnum Primers in .357

[63 Shiloh]

Are these required when shooting boolits?

Will I need to use them if using 296 or will Federal small pistol primers be sufficient?

Mike

[sixshot]

Magnum primers are usually recommended when using either 296 or H110 (same powder) also you don't want to used a reduced load of either powder. One small pistol magnum primer that is quite a bit hotter than the others is Winchester SPM's.

Dick

[GLShooter]

For the 296 they are plus for the 357. I have always used them for that powder type.

Greg

[9.3X62AL]

Both Winchester small pistol magnum (WSPM) primers and CCI #550 (also SPM) have done fine work with H-110 and WW-296 powders. I have read from some of C.E. Harris' texts that Winchester primers contain an aluminum-derived fuel element that is optimized for ball powder combustion, but I haven't seen significant differences in performance results between the two primer makes in this role.

[300winmag]

I use wspm with 13.6 gr 2400 158gr jhp 1175 fps. 357mag works just as well in the cold weather

[357Mag]

Howdy !

By all means, Do use SP magnum primers w/ your WW296 loads in .357Mag.

Winchester's ( Olin ) reloading guides for many years instructed shooters to use SP Mag primers w/ WW296.

The best/most accurate/clean .357Mag load I have used is:
14.5gr WW296 SP Mag primer ( CCI or FED ); and any Lyman SWC of 158-172gr.

I have read that H110 is "re-cannistered" WW296. Hmmm.

I like 2400 better in .44 Mag, although tests w/ those loads have shown some of the powder goes unburned ( even from a 6" barrel ).

Regards,
357Mag

[EOD3]

Not knowing the availability of primers in your neck of the woods...

Magnum primers are not "required" but are a good idea if you'll be shooting in VERY cold conditions. Ball powders can be a little harder to get burning than flake or stick powders. There are quite a few powders that work just fine with plain old SP primers. Avoid H110, W296, and AA#9.

[spqrzilla]

H110 and WW296 are the same powder made on the same production line in different labeled jugs.

It is a good idea to use magnum primers with it.

[bhn22]

The powder you use determines the primer needed, not the case size. Both Hodgdon & Winchester specify use of magnum primers with 296 & H110. Both powders are marketed by Hodgdon nowdays, and both powders are identical, coming from the same batches at the same plant.

[zxcvbob]

Will I need to use them if using 296 or will Federal small pistol primers be sufficient?

With that powder, with a max load and an extra heavy crimp you might get by with a standard pistol primer. Or you might not. Much better to use a magnum primer or a rifle primer and be sure.

[63 Shiloh]

Thanks for all the replies fellers, I will try some CCI 550 SPM primers that I can get.

Only downside is that these are priced at $8.00 for 100:shock:

I will try my Fed SP as well for a comparison.

Mike

[zxcvbob]

Thanks for all the replies fellers, I will try some CCI 550 SPM primers that I can get.
Only downside is that these are priced at $8.00 for 100:shock:

I will try my Fed SP as well for a comparison.

Mike

How much are Federal 205's? (small rifle)

If you use the SP's, just watch out for a squib and don't pull the tigger again if it goes "pop" instead of "bang!"

[fecmech]

Not going to get into the controversy over the correct primers for 296 and the .357 but a number of years ago I burned a couple 8 lb cans of 296 and Lyman 358429 using nothing but Fed SP primers. Excellent ballistic uniformity over the chrono, excellent accuracy at the target and I never had a squib. I would certainly give them a try before I bought any $8/c primers!

[63 Shiloh]

Some food for though.

I do have a few thousand of Fed SR primers which I will use too.

Looks like I need to take my Chrony out and see how these loads work with the CCI 550, Fed Sp and Fed SR.

I will post my results.

Many thanks fellers.


Mike

[mroliver77]

While not "squib" loads I sometimes get a round that sounds more of a boom than a crack and these seem to have a greater amount of muzzle flash. I attribute it to poor ignition resulting in a later peak burn. Mebbe I am all wet on this theory? Mag primers and/or new unmixed brass alleviates this. This would be when using 296/110 or especially a slow batch of WC820
Jay