|
I recently bought a very old box of 1000 CCI 550 primers. I didn't get them free, but I got a significant discount over current prices. They are at least 40 years old. They've worked perfectly in everything I've loaded them in. The store I bought them at said, "We can't guarantee them. Buy at your own risk." I made sure they said "not corrosive" and "non-mercury".
I would expect them to boost your bullet velocity a little. That would be consistent with test results I've read from others using magnum primers where small pistol primers are normally used. Stay back a little from the max loads and you should be fine. I haven't been reloading long, but I've read that several times from people who use small pistol magnum and small rifle primers instead of small pistol. Another issue is that the cups are possibly a little harder so some handgun firing pins won't hit them hard enough. Try them in your gun and if they don't go bang, trade them to somebody who loads .38s or .357s.
|