Mag Primers/.38 Brass

Ramjet · October 13, 2009, 04:59 AM

I have lots of .38 Special brass and about 1k CCI small pistol magnum primers. Is it ok to use these primers with standard load of 160g cast bullet under 4g Unique? Why/Why not?

Shoney · October 13, 2009, 05:31 AM

The short answer is no! You should never substitute a mag primer into a load established with a regular primer. The mag primer can result in a lot more pressure, and can sometimes spike into the danger zone.

Having stated that caveat, it can be perfectly safe to substitute a mag primer and work up the load from the minimum or lower charge, staying a grain or two below max listed loads.

I have experimented by substituting mag primers into loads that call for a regular primers, using a wide variety of handgun and rifle cartridges. As long as I stayed just below max loads, I didn't see any pressure problems. Accuracy varied, with no discernable patterns. It was either more, less or the same in accuracy. Velocities were sometimes greatly affected.

Shootem up, but Caveat Emptor!
My dear departed grandad used to liberally translate the term as "Never trust a naked used chariot salesman!"

October 13, 2009, 04:59 AM	#1
Ramjet Junior Member Join Date: December 8, 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 5	Mag Primers/.38 Brass I have lots of .38 Special brass and about 1k CCI small pistol magnum primers. Is it ok to use these primers with standard load of 160g cast bullet under 4g Unique? Why/Why not? __________________ The new Green is the old Red

October 13, 2009, 05:31 AM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	The short answer is no! You should never substitute a mag primer into a load established with a regular primer. The mag primer can result in a lot more pressure, and can sometimes spike into the danger zone. Having stated that caveat, it can be perfectly safe to substitute a mag primer and work up the load from the minimum or lower charge, staying a grain or two below max listed loads. I have experimented by substituting mag primers into loads that call for a regular primers, using a wide variety of handgun and rifle cartridges. As long as I stayed just below max loads, I didn't see any pressure problems. Accuracy varied, with no discernable patterns. It was either more, less or the same in accuracy. Velocities were sometimes greatly affected. Shootem up, but Caveat Emptor! My dear departed grandad used to liberally translate the term as "Never trust a naked used chariot salesman!" __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111