primer question!

charlie45 · March 9, 2005, 05:33 PM

my first time loading 9mm. i have 800 cci 550 small pistol primers on hand and plan on using vv 3n37 powder @ starting load of 5.5 gr. under 120 gr. cast bullet. am i facing presure problems?
any help would be appreciated.

HSMITH · March 9, 2005, 07:49 PM

That should work fine.

**Mal H** · March 9, 2005, 08:11 PM

I can't agree with that assessment.

The VV data I have lists a min/max of 5.2 to 6.0 grains of 3N37 with a lead bullet of that weight. So you will be starting out only a little below the middle of the recommendation with a magnum primer. If you insist on using a magnum primer, I would definitely start at the minimum recommended load. When you are working with a small volume high pressure cartridge like a 9MM, you need to proceed with caution when going against the norm.

charlie45 · March 9, 2005, 08:25 PM

my new (2 days old from vv starts @ 5.4 gr. to 5.9 for 124 gr. i found another entry after searching primers and have learned that a mag primer will add about 1 gr. to your load. so right now i think i will just wait and buy regular small pistol primers to avoid any problems. i need to clean up my lee mold any as there dropping at .357 to .358 (tl356-124-tc) as i expected there running about 120 gr. with ww's.
better to be safe and still have hands and eyes to shoot tomorrow.

**Mal H** · March 9, 2005, 08:31 PM

"... i think i will just wait and buy regular small pistol primers to avoid any problems."

Good move.

HSMITH · March 10, 2005, 09:01 PM

My mistake, and a good catch Mal. I missed the fact that the primers initially asked about were magnum primers. I ASSuMEd in my quick read that they were standard primers. Sorry all.

WESHOOT2 · March 12, 2005, 08:17 AM

If your bullets actually weigh around 120g your proposed CCI550 / 120g cast / 5.5g 3N37 load is fine.
I often use CCI550's under 3N37 in 9x19 to aid in avoiding primer flow.
E-mail direct for further discussion.

March 9, 2005, 05:33 PM	#1
charlie45 Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2005 Posts: 10	primer question! my first time loading 9mm. i have 800 cci 550 small pistol primers on hand and plan on using vv 3n37 powder @ starting load of 5.5 gr. under 120 gr. cast bullet. am i facing presure problems? any help would be appreciated.

March 9, 2005, 08:25 PM	#4
charlie45 Junior Member Join Date: February 11, 2005 Posts: 10	my data my new (2 days old from vv starts @ 5.4 gr. to 5.9 for 124 gr. i found another entry after searching primers and have learned that a mag primer will add about 1 gr. to your load. so right now i think i will just wait and buy regular small pistol primers to avoid any problems. i need to clean up my lee mold any as there dropping at .357 to .358 (tl356-124-tc) as i expected there running about 120 gr. with ww's. better to be safe and still have hands and eyes to shoot tomorrow.

March 12, 2005, 08:17 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	experience If your bullets actually weigh around 120g your proposed CCI550 / 120g cast / 5.5g 3N37 load is fine. I often use CCI550's under 3N37 in 9x19 to aid in avoiding primer flow. E-mail direct for further discussion. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 9, 2005, 07:49 PM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	That should work fine.

March 9, 2005, 08:11 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	I can't agree with that assessment. The VV data I have lists a min/max of 5.2 to 6.0 grains of 3N37 with a lead bullet of that weight. So you will be starting out only a little below the middle of the recommendation with a magnum primer. If you insist on using a magnum primer, I would definitely start at the minimum recommended load. When you are working with a small volume high pressure cartridge like a 9MM, you need to proceed with caution when going against the norm.

March 9, 2005, 08:31 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	"... i think i will just wait and buy regular small pistol primers to avoid any problems." Good move.

March 10, 2005, 09:01 PM	#6
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	My mistake, and a good catch Mal. I missed the fact that the primers initially asked about were magnum primers. I ASSuMEd in my quick read that they were standard primers. Sorry all.