.45 acp magnum primer question

taybri · September 20, 2006, 10:21 PM

A friend gave me 1000 CCI magnum 350 large pitol primers. Are these the same as large pistol primers? The CCI web page says, "For heavy loads using ball propellants." Does 200 gr lead SWC with 4.8 grains of W231 fit that description? I would like to know if these can be safely used in my 1911.

I've read all the warnings about substituing primers but there seems to be some ambiguity here.

Help for a beginner would be appreciated.

Dave Haven · September 20, 2006, 10:57 PM

Magnum primers are "hotter" than standard primers - more energy; hotter fire to ignite heavy powder charges. Magnum primers are recommended "For heavy loads using ball propellants." They could cause higher pressures with easily ignitable powders. W231 is a ball powder, and some manuals recommend a magnum primer with it.
In your case, I don't believe you'll run into any pressure problems.

WESHOOT2 · September 21, 2006, 05:15 AM

Safe, but.....

IME a change in primers can affect accuracy.
Sometimes better, sometimes worse, sometimes no change.

AT THE LIMIT, swapping primers requires backing down some and working back up, slowly.

And when using certain specific primers (like Winchester's Small Pistol Magnum or any-brand rifle primers in handgun loads) one must be more cautious.

Why we start below maximum and work our way upward.....

September 20, 2006, 10:21 PM	#1
taybri Member Join Date: July 7, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 18	.45 acp magnum primer question A friend gave me 1000 CCI magnum 350 large pitol primers. Are these the same as large pistol primers? The CCI web page says, "For heavy loads using ball propellants." Does 200 gr lead SWC with 4.8 grains of W231 fit that description? I would like to know if these can be safely used in my 1911. I've read all the warnings about substituing primers but there seems to be some ambiguity here. Help for a beginner would be appreciated.

September 21, 2006, 05:15 AM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	testing required; Safety First Safe, but..... IME a change in primers can affect accuracy. Sometimes better, sometimes worse, sometimes no change. AT THE LIMIT, swapping primers requires backing down some and working back up, slowly. And when using certain specific primers (like Winchester's Small Pistol Magnum or any-brand rifle primers in handgun loads) one must be more cautious. Why we start below maximum and work our way upward..... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 20, 2006, 10:57 PM	#2
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	Magnum primers are "hotter" than standard primers - more energy; hotter fire to ignite heavy powder charges. Magnum primers are recommended "For heavy loads using ball propellants." They could cause higher pressures with easily ignitable powders. W231 is a ball powder, and some manuals recommend a magnum primer with it. In your case, I don't believe you'll run into any pressure problems.