Primers

drumbeat · September 17, 2009, 05:35 PM

Bought, without reading the box carefully enough, Winchester MAGNUM Small Pistol primers. What I wanted was standard primers, not magnum, for .38 Special loads. Does it really matter if I use magnum primers in .38 Special loads? I notice that Winchester Large Pistol Primers say for standard OR magnum loads.

tomh1426 · September 17, 2009, 06:20 PM

They will work but they will increase pressure a little bit.
Where in AZ did u gettem?

SL1 · September 17, 2009, 07:58 PM

If you are shooting the .38 Specials in a .357 Magnum, then there really isn't much to worry about in the pressure effect from the magnum primers. But, if you are shooting them in a gun that is limited to .38 Special pressures, then you need to stay below max loads with the magnum primers. Also, you will probably find that your most accurate charges are different with the different primers.

SL1

**Unclenick** · September 17, 2009, 08:02 PM

A general rule of thumb in rifles is to reduce loads 5% when switching to magnum primers. I don't have one for pistol, but wouldn't be surprised if that worked out OK?

drumbeat · September 17, 2009, 08:29 PM

To tomh1426: To be honest, I'm not sure.

I think I picked up a "brick" of large and small primers at a gun show some time ago. I finally used up my old supply and broke into these recently.

I have only an SP 101 in .38 Special. I have a several 4" and 6" .357's and a Rossi .357 Carbine, so I guess I'll be okay. I don't shoot many .38's in the rifle, but I do in the revolvers.

oneounceload · September 17, 2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

I have only an SP 101 in .38 Special.

From Ruger:

Quote:

The Ruger SP101® revolvers are smaller framed guns which still can handle powerful .357 Magnum cartridges

so you should be OK, but start at a loading lower than your previous one for your gun

tpareloader · September 17, 2009, 09:02 PM

I've used cci magnum instead of regular and it didn't matter a whole lot. Just reduce powder by 5% like others have said.

September 17, 2009, 05:35 PM	#1
drumbeat Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 32	Primers Bought, without reading the box carefully enough, Winchester MAGNUM Small Pistol primers. What I wanted was standard primers, not magnum, for .38 Special loads. Does it really matter if I use magnum primers in .38 Special loads? I notice that Winchester Large Pistol Primers say for standard OR magnum loads.

September 17, 2009, 08:02 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	A general rule of thumb in rifles is to reduce loads 5% when switching to magnum primers. I don't have one for pistol, but wouldn't be surprised if that worked out OK? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 17, 2009, 08:29 PM	#5
drumbeat Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 32	To tomh1426: To be honest, I'm not sure. I think I picked up a "brick" of large and small primers at a gun show some time ago. I finally used up my old supply and broke into these recently. I have only an SP 101 in .38 Special. I have a several 4" and 6" .357's and a Rossi .357 Carbine, so I guess I'll be okay. I don't shoot many .38's in the rifle, but I do in the revolvers. Last edited by drumbeat; September 17, 2009 at 08:29 PM. Reason: sp

September 17, 2009, 09:02 PM	#7
tpareloader Member Join Date: April 23, 2009 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 76	I've used cci magnum instead of regular and it didn't matter a whole lot. Just reduce powder by 5% like others have said. __________________ Never compromise, never surrender.

September 17, 2009, 06:20 PM	#2
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	They will work but they will increase pressure a little bit. Where in AZ did u gettem?

September 17, 2009, 07:58 PM	#3
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	If you are shooting the .38 Specials in a .357 Magnum, then there really isn't much to worry about in the pressure effect from the magnum primers. But, if you are shooting them in a gun that is limited to .38 Special pressures, then you need to stay below max loads with the magnum primers. Also, you will probably find that your most accurate charges are different with the different primers. SL1