Large Rifle/Pistol in .44 Magnum

Death from Afar · April 13, 2013, 04:18 AM

Lots of stuff on this issue online, but I just want to use the one load in the Smith and the Ruger .44. Can I get away with using either large pistol or large rifle in both, or is segregation prudent? Thanks guys.

steveno · April 13, 2013, 05:38 AM

use large pistol (or large pistol magnum)primers. I think the large rifle primers is slightly thicker. there really isn't any reason to use the rifle primer as it is still a handgun round regardless of what you shoot it in.

Salmoneye · April 13, 2013, 05:41 AM

What he said...

Death from Afar · April 13, 2013, 05:52 AM

Thought so...thank goodness, I have loads of them!

newfrontier45 · April 13, 2013, 12:18 PM

Large rifle primers are taller and won't work anyway.

TimSr · April 13, 2013, 02:55 PM

On ANY rifle that is made to shoot a pistol round, you can assume the MFG designed its firing pin mechanism based on the assumption that you will shoot factory PISTOL ammo in it, which has pistol primers.

**Unclenick** · April 13, 2013, 03:10 PM

To summarize and add something, though small rifle and pistol primers are the same height, large rifle primers are 0.010" taller than large pistol primers, so they tend to stand proud when seated in a large pistol primer pocket. The rifle primers are also usually harder to ignite, and so are less reliable with a firing mechanism not designed for them. Some revolver cartridges (e.g., 460 S&W) are designed for large rifle primers and the guns made for them are specified to fire same. Finally, rifle primers (large or small) make a larger volume of gas than their pistol counterparts do, in order to pressurize the larger rifle cases to start their generally slower powders burning well. In a small handgun cartridge case's powder volume, that extra gas can unseat the bullet before the powder starts burning well, and thereby make the ignition erratic despite the extra gas. Conversely, when the bullet stays put, they can cause the pistol powder to start burning faster than usual, raising the peak pressure and necessitating reducing the load.

So, broadly speaking, accept no substitutes.

April 13, 2013, 04:18 AM	#1
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	Large Rifle/Pistol in .44 Magnum Lots of stuff on this issue online, but I just want to use the one load in the Smith and the Ruger .44. Can I get away with using either large pistol or large rifle in both, or is segregation prudent? Thanks guys. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

April 13, 2013, 05:52 AM	#4
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	Thought so...thank goodness, I have loads of them! __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

April 13, 2013, 03:10 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	To summarize and add something, though small rifle and pistol primers are the same height, large rifle primers are 0.010" taller than large pistol primers, so they tend to stand proud when seated in a large pistol primer pocket. The rifle primers are also usually harder to ignite, and so are less reliable with a firing mechanism not designed for them. Some revolver cartridges (e.g., 460 S&W) are designed for large rifle primers and the guns made for them are specified to fire same. Finally, rifle primers (large or small) make a larger volume of gas than their pistol counterparts do, in order to pressurize the larger rifle cases to start their generally slower powders burning well. In a small handgun cartridge case's powder volume, that extra gas can unseat the bullet before the powder starts burning well, and thereby make the ignition erratic despite the extra gas. Conversely, when the bullet stays put, they can cause the pistol powder to start burning faster than usual, raising the peak pressure and necessitating reducing the load. So, broadly speaking, accept no substitutes. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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April 13, 2013, 05:38 AM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	use large pistol (or large pistol magnum)primers. I think the large rifle primers is slightly thicker. there really isn't any reason to use the rifle primer as it is still a handgun round regardless of what you shoot it in.

April 13, 2013, 05:41 AM	#3
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	What he said...

April 13, 2013, 12:18 PM	#5
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	Large rifle primers are taller and won't work anyway.

April 13, 2013, 02:55 PM	#6
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	On ANY rifle that is made to shoot a pistol round, you can assume the MFG designed its firing pin mechanism based on the assumption that you will shoot factory PISTOL ammo in it, which has pistol primers.