Magnum primer?

Voyager AL · December 19, 2006, 08:06 AM

I load for many calibers, but recently bought a taurus revolver in 32H&R Magnum. Bought CCI small pistol magnum primers.I now experience failure to fire on at least 2 outta 5. I spoke to another loader last nite, and he felt that the magnum primers have a thicker body, which takes a harder strike to fire. If i keep cycling the gun, after maybe 5 strikes, i get a fire. Same primers on my 9mm and 38 spl work fine. Will i be OK to use regular primers? I was sold them from a reloading business. I will load a dozen or so tonite to see if all problems disappear.

HSMITH · December 19, 2006, 08:25 AM

You will be fine with a standard primer.

You may want to try Federal Magnums, they are still pretty soft. If a stock revolver won't light Fed magnums I would look to find out what is wrong.

Ben Shepherd · December 19, 2006, 09:27 AM

Most important: WHAT powder are you loading with?

As HSMITH noted, federals are the softest primers out there, so you may want to try them if your primer stikes are on the light side.

Another thought- Are you sure your primers are fully seated? If you hit it a second time and it goes off, your primers may not be seated fully.

Voyager AL · December 19, 2006, 12:05 PM

Loading with RedDot. I cant use Federal, Lee loaders say not to. I Use a Lee prime tool. I have double checked, they are seated flush,tight. I bought Remington primers this time, they were out of CCI, and had more Ferderal than anyone could need .

Ben Shepherd · December 19, 2006, 05:49 PM

Red dot? Standard primers should be fine. Magnum primers shouldn't be needed with that powder.

DWARREN123 · December 20, 2006, 06:55 AM

I have Lee equipment also. i saw where it said not to use Federal primers but that is almost all I use and have not had a problem yet. You do not need magnum primers just use small pistol primers.
In fact I have tried SPP and SPMP and have not really seen a difference.

mjrodney · December 20, 2006, 08:03 AM

Winchester standard primers are a good middle ground.

Not as soft as Federals, not as hard as CCIs.

HSMITH · December 20, 2006, 09:27 AM

I have read several times on the internet where someone had a tray of Federal primers blow when using a hand seater. I don't know anyone that has had this problem personally. I have seated a LOT of Federals with a Lee handprimer without issue, as have a lot of others. I guess it could happen at any time, so I keep the tray away from me, safety glasses on, and plug away with it.

I DO know a guy that blew up a tray of Federals in a Loadmaster, and it is a similar arrangement.

Voyager AL · December 20, 2006, 11:06 AM

That is Lee's way of covering their a**es. I may try federal next time.
Thanks for the replys,yall. I didnt load last nite, I stopped for a few beers after work.

T. O'Heir · December 20, 2006, 08:56 PM

The cup of a magnum primer is the same as a regular primer. The difference is the temperature and burn time. The magnum burns a bit hotter and a bit longer. They're made to light powders that take more heat and time to ingnite. They won't hurt anything, but you usually don't need them. Use the primer your manual says to use.

BIGRED · December 21, 2006, 10:45 AM

I think the problem may lie with CCI primers. several of my rifles dislike CCI primers. i get light strikes, so i decided to oley use the Winchester primers and i have not had 1 failure yet. some people swear by the CCI primers and some don't. i only used them because of the APS system. they also have a tendency to back out of the case. i think it is because the CCI's are harder and don't seat as well.

Voyager AL · December 21, 2006, 11:48 AM

well, I loaded 50 last evening, and shot 12 on the way home from work this morning. All 12 went bang. Its all good, thanks!I'll keep the magnum primers for my N frame, they wont go to waste

December 19, 2006, 08:06 AM	#1
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	Magnum primer? I load for many calibers, but recently bought a taurus revolver in 32H&R Magnum. Bought CCI small pistol magnum primers.I now experience failure to fire on at least 2 outta 5. I spoke to another loader last nite, and he felt that the magnum primers have a thicker body, which takes a harder strike to fire. If i keep cycling the gun, after maybe 5 strikes, i get a fire. Same primers on my 9mm and 38 spl work fine. Will i be OK to use regular primers? I was sold them from a reloading business. I will load a dozen or so tonite to see if all problems disappear.

December 19, 2006, 09:27 AM	#3
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Most important: WHAT powder are you loading with? As HSMITH noted, federals are the softest primers out there, so you may want to try them if your primer stikes are on the light side. Another thought- Are you sure your primers are fully seated? If you hit it a second time and it goes off, your primers may not be seated fully. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor Last edited by Ben Shepherd; December 19, 2006 at 10:06 AM.

December 19, 2006, 05:49 PM	#5
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Red dot? Standard primers should be fine. Magnum primers shouldn't be needed with that powder. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

December 20, 2006, 08:03 AM	#7
mjrodney Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 435	Winchester standard primers are a good middle ground. Not as soft as Federals, not as hard as CCIs. __________________ Proud supporter of the NRA

December 19, 2006, 08:25 AM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	You will be fine with a standard primer. You may want to try Federal Magnums, they are still pretty soft. If a stock revolver won't light Fed magnums I would look to find out what is wrong.

December 19, 2006, 12:05 PM	#4
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	Loading with RedDot. I cant use Federal, Lee loaders say not to. I Use a Lee prime tool. I have double checked, they are seated flush,tight. I bought Remington primers this time, they were out of CCI, and had more Ferderal than anyone could need .

December 20, 2006, 06:55 AM	#6
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	I have Lee equipment also. i saw where it said not to use Federal primers but that is almost all I use and have not had a problem yet. You do not need magnum primers just use small pistol primers. In fact I have tried SPP and SPMP and have not really seen a difference.

December 20, 2006, 09:27 AM	#8
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I have read several times on the internet where someone had a tray of Federal primers blow when using a hand seater. I don't know anyone that has had this problem personally. I have seated a LOT of Federals with a Lee handprimer without issue, as have a lot of others. I guess it could happen at any time, so I keep the tray away from me, safety glasses on, and plug away with it. I DO know a guy that blew up a tray of Federals in a Loadmaster, and it is a similar arrangement.

December 20, 2006, 11:06 AM	#9
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	That is Lee's way of covering their a**es. I may try federal next time. Thanks for the replys,yall. I didnt load last nite, I stopped for a few beers after work.

December 20, 2006, 08:56 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The cup of a magnum primer is the same as a regular primer. The difference is the temperature and burn time. The magnum burns a bit hotter and a bit longer. They're made to light powders that take more heat and time to ingnite. They won't hurt anything, but you usually don't need them. Use the primer your manual says to use.

December 21, 2006, 10:45 AM	#11
BIGRED Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 42	I think the problem may lie with CCI primers. several of my rifles dislike CCI primers. i get light strikes, so i decided to oley use the Winchester primers and i have not had 1 failure yet. some people swear by the CCI primers and some don't. i only used them because of the APS system. they also have a tendency to back out of the case. i think it is because the CCI's are harder and don't seat as well.

December 21, 2006, 11:48 AM	#12
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	well, I loaded 50 last evening, and shot 12 on the way home from work this morning. All 12 went bang. Its all good, thanks!I'll keep the magnum primers for my N frame, they wont go to waste