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Old March 24, 2013, 02:00 PM   #1
Defender38SW
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Can primers out of original package be identified?

I bought some used reloading equipment and materials a couple years ago, but only recently started reloading. The equipment included 9mm dies, so the guy threw in a good number of Federal small pistol primers in the original boxes. However, he also threw in a baggie full of loose primers, probably 500 or more. They are the same size as the Federal small pistol primers and have the same silver color, and when I look closely at the back side, I see there are 3 holes with a pale green color showing through. Everything looks the same as my packaged Federal small pistol primers. I opened a box of Federal small pistol magnum primers, and look at the back side, and it also has the 3 holes with a pale green showing through, but has a reddish color in the middle of the back side.
The guy I bought them from probably told me what they were, but since that was 2 years ago, I don't remember. Is there a way to determine what kind of primer it is based on its visual characteristics?
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Old March 24, 2013, 02:07 PM   #2
Jimro
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Honestly? No.

But if it were me I'd go ahead and shoot them. With a low pressure starting load I wouldn't worry about a small rifle magnum primer getting into the mix and spiking pressure. This is bad advice but it is honestly what I would do.

The right advice is to dispose of any components that go "bang" that you don't know the complete history.

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Old March 24, 2013, 02:19 PM   #3
eldermike
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Manufacturers do use color codes, but the bad news is they change them. You don't know who manufactured them or when so unless the original owner knows the answer you can stop looking for it.

Would I use them in a light target load? Yes
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Old March 24, 2013, 02:26 PM   #4
Defender38SW
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Picture of primers

I'm not sure how clear the picture will show, but here is a picture comparing the loose primers to the Federal small pistol and small pistol magnums.

Primers_compare.jpg
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Old March 24, 2013, 03:21 PM   #5
NWPilgrim
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Can primers out of original package be identified?

In most situations I would say "When in doubt, throw it out." However, if you only reload them in a handgun cartridge and do not load near max powder charges you should be ok. You would not want to risk getting pistol primers in a rifle cartridge due to the much higher pressures.

But the only risk with medium loads in pistol is that if they are small rifle primers they may be too hard and not ignite reliably with the weaker strike from a pistol. Rifle primers do burn hotter or longer so do not load to max charges shown for handgun primers.
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Old March 24, 2013, 03:46 PM   #6
TimSr
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Official correct answer - dispose of them.

Realistic answer - Use them in light - medium target loads, preferably revolver loads.
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Old March 24, 2013, 05:06 PM   #7
Slamfire
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No, color changes and there is no requirement that any primer be any color.
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Old March 24, 2013, 05:47 PM   #8
5R milspec
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CCI yellow or light orangey

Fed purpleish

win red

I know this really doesn't help,but this has been the colors I have always seen since I have been realoding.And when in dout throw away,not nothing to really get your undeee's in a knot for
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Old April 9, 2013, 10:44 PM   #9
trapper300RUM
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Primers

TRASH THEM
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