The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Shot Some Magnum Primers In A Non Magum Load

rclark · February 6, 2012, 01:50 PM

It all comes down to the powder as Old Grump has alluded to.... Has NOTHING to do with the cartridge or load. Ie, you DON'T just use a magnum primer because you are loading Magnum loads. It all comes down to the powder you are using. For example, IMR-4227 and H-110/Win 296 require Magnum primers. Unique, W-231, Green Dot do not. Does it hurt? Depends on the powder. For Unique, I've tested WLP, CCI-300, and CCI-350. Slightly different velocities but no biggie... it is primer insensitive. 2400 on the other hand, you get a 100+ fps difference between magnum and regular primer. Using Trail Boss loads, it depends, with one bullet type, my Extreme Spread get cut in half with a magnum primer. Another load, it works better with regular primer -- go figure. A chronograph is 'invaluable' here.

I haven't ran a back to back test with w-231 yet (at least I don't recall it), so can't say anything about it... yet.

February 6, 2012, 01:50 PM	#3
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,650	It all comes down to the powder as Old Grump has alluded to.... Has NOTHING to do with the cartridge or load. Ie, you DON'T just use a magnum primer because you are loading Magnum loads. It all comes down to the powder you are using. For example, IMR-4227 and H-110/Win 296 require Magnum primers. Unique, W-231, Green Dot do not. Does it hurt? Depends on the powder. For Unique, I've tested WLP, CCI-300, and CCI-350. Slightly different velocities but no biggie... it is primer insensitive. 2400 on the other hand, you get a 100+ fps difference between magnum and regular primer. Using Trail Boss loads, it depends, with one bullet type, my Extreme Spread get cut in half with a magnum primer. Another load, it works better with regular primer -- go figure. A chronograph is 'invaluable' here. I haven't ran a back to back test with w-231 yet (at least I don't recall it), so can't say anything about it... yet. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king. Last edited by rclark; February 6, 2012 at 02:05 PM.