mag primers vs standard primers

[ubetcha]

I just received some 357 max brass I ordered and was going through some load data using 175gr through 200 gr cast. Several powders recommend using CCI450 small mag rifle primers. I understand the use of small rifle primers due to the generated pressures, but I have approx 2000 winchester standard small rifle primers. and was wondering if there would be a concern using them in place of the mag primers. Not all the load used mag primers though. More towards the heaver boolit weights using 2400,Rl7 and h4227.. I will be sending my 12" T/C 357 mag bbl to Bellm for rechambering to 357 max.
Thanks for the help

[Digital Dan]

What kinds of powder do you have?

[ubetcha]

I do have some of the 3 mentioned plus others such as 231,296, unique, blue dot, red dot, bullseye and several others. I think I have a small amount of 5744 also,but without taking inventory of the rest ,I will be guessing on whats left. In several article I have read, 4227 seems to be the best all around powder people have used. I will be using the 357max for silhouette shooting and for hunting

[Digital Dan]

I would be comfortable using small rifle primers with that combination. My sample of one CF Contender tells me you'll start getting case stretch before you have problems with standard primers. I'm not a big fan of WW296/H110 but otherwise the other powders you mention don't really require mag primers in my experience. Depending on load I might even go for small pistol primers.

[Outpost75]

Winchester's so-called "magnum" primers are simply sorted from regular production to segregate primers of pellet weight over mid-tolerance.

[Whitespider]

Use the primer that produces the best ballistic consistency... anyway, that's my rule-of-thumb.

[NSB]

Do not use small pistol primers in the 357max. The reason they tell you to use small rifle primers is due to the fact that the small rifle primers are thicker and will contain the pressure generated by the max round. You can look this up with a simple search. The difference is considerable. You can use regular small rifle primers for most powders. The WW296 is one that requires using a magnum primer. I've put about a thousand rounds through my Low Wall in this caliber over the last six weeks and I've found that 296 is far from the best powder for this round. So far, the best powders have been 4227 and Reloader 7. Another powder that did reasonably well was 2400 which definately does not need a magnum primer.

[fatelvis]

Bellm rechambered my 12" Contender to 357 Max also. He does excellent work! You'll be very happy with the accuracy of that barrel.

[Tatume]

Work up your loads in a responsible manner. Your WSR standard primers should be just fine.

[ubetcha]

Winchester's so-called "magnum" primers are simply sorted from regular production to segregate primers of pellet weight over mid-tolerance.

Awhile back I was reading a post written by Ed Harris on the CBA site and the subject was about reduced loads and primers. He stated that he uses Winchester primers due to the fact that they seem to throw a hotter flame and I believe that was with standard primers. I pretty much trust him when he recommend something due to his background and experiance with firearms and reloading.

[Mohillbilly]

I've been using Winchester standard primers for 296/ h110 since before Winchester made magnum primers . I have shot quite a few pounds of powder this way . I save my magnum primers for the 300 Weatherby ect. My 445 Supermag loads , 357 Max/Supermag ,475 Wildey ,454 Casull , Automag 44, 41, 357, 30 carbine, 9mm Winmag. , all are loaded with standard primers as well as the standard .357 Rem , .41 ,.44 , .45 Colt , and .45 Winmag . Be sure you use the correct pistol or rifle primer as in seating depth for your brass . You do not want high primers ! There are some guns that were blown because of firing out of battery ie rifle primer in pistol pocket brass . I find 4227 , 680/1680 296/110 work well in power loads , and unique ,red,blue,green dot , Accurate # 2,5 ,and 9 , in fun loads .

[Shiloh]

When primers were scarce, there was a box of Winchester Magnum Small Pistol with three of the 100 pack missing. I snatched them up.
When I try them, I'll back off the charge a little. I usually go no higher than mid range loads.

Shiloh