Rifle primers in Pistol Cartridges ?

444 · September 30, 2002, 05:59 PM

I recently bought a large lot of reloading components at a terrific price. Now I am trying to figure out what to do with this stuff.
Among the items are in excess of 15,000 small rifle primers. The only caliber I load that uses small rifle primers is .223 Rem. I load maybe 300 rounds a year for my two bolt actions. In the AR I shoot cheap stuff and don't pick up the brass. So, what the hell am I going to do with these primers ? What dire problem would arise if I used these in my .357 loads ? That would certainly solve the problem since I shoot a ton of small pistol primers.

Jim Watson · September 30, 2002, 06:42 PM

In the deep distant past, before Federal made a small pistol magnum primer, they recommended loading .357s with their small rifle primer. Many IPSC shooters use small rifle primers - I think the Remington 7 1/2 is popular - in their overloaded .38 Supers to delay primer cratering, extrusion, and piercing. So it can be done, but it will affect ignition. I would cut the load and sneak back up with an eye on velocity and casehead expansion. I would probably settle for a little lighter and slower load just to be sure.

Ben Shepherd · September 30, 2002, 07:04 PM

The "original" 357 mag load was a nickle winchester case, 158 gr. SWC, small rifle primer and 15.8 grains of 2400. the idea was the rifle primer was stronger, to handle the high pressure level(40,000+ cpu).

WARNING: Do not use this load in a lightweight/weak gun.

I shoot these in nothing weaker than a GP100.

tonyz · September 30, 2002, 07:39 PM

I bought 1000 small rifle primers by mistake at a gun show. I used them in place of small pistol primers and they work without a problem in my 38/357's. I even used them in my 9MM loads.

Tony Z

Jim Watson · September 30, 2002, 08:35 PM

They tried a number of things to improve ignition in magnums. About five years ago I picked up a clean, bright, nickel plated case headstamped "R-P 357 Magnum" with LARGE primer.

Southla1 · September 30, 2002, 09:00 PM

Yes you can use them in .357 cases BUT they are hotter than the Small pistol primers and they may be more difficult to ignite due to a stronger primer cup. Aside from that use them, just watch your load and start with the starting load listed.

rick_reno · September 30, 2002, 09:29 PM

I use small rifle magnum in my FA 454. A local gun store was going out of business and had a box of 1000 for $4 - they'll last me awhile.

September 30, 2002, 05:59 PM	#1
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	Rifle primers in Pistol Cartridges ? I recently bought a large lot of reloading components at a terrific price. Now I am trying to figure out what to do with this stuff. Among the items are in excess of 15,000 small rifle primers. The only caliber I load that uses small rifle primers is .223 Rem. I load maybe 300 rounds a year for my two bolt actions. In the AR I shoot cheap stuff and don't pick up the brass. So, what the hell am I going to do with these primers ? What dire problem would arise if I used these in my .357 loads ? That would certainly solve the problem since I shoot a ton of small pistol primers.

September 30, 2002, 09:29 PM	#7
rick_reno Junior member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 917	rifle primers in pistol cartridges I use small rifle magnum in my FA 454. A local gun store was going out of business and had a box of 1000 for $4 - they'll last me awhile.

September 30, 2002, 06:42 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	In the deep distant past, before Federal made a small pistol magnum primer, they recommended loading .357s with their small rifle primer. Many IPSC shooters use small rifle primers - I think the Remington 7 1/2 is popular - in their overloaded .38 Supers to delay primer cratering, extrusion, and piercing. So it can be done, but it will affect ignition. I would cut the load and sneak back up with an eye on velocity and casehead expansion. I would probably settle for a little lighter and slower load just to be sure.

September 30, 2002, 07:04 PM	#3
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	The "original" 357 mag load was a nickle winchester case, 158 gr. SWC, small rifle primer and 15.8 grains of 2400. the idea was the rifle primer was stronger, to handle the high pressure level(40,000+ cpu). WARNING: Do not use this load in a lightweight/weak gun. I shoot these in nothing weaker than a GP100.

September 30, 2002, 07:39 PM	#4
tonyz Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Location: Wa Posts: 922	I bought 1000 small rifle primers by mistake at a gun show. I used them in place of small pistol primers and they work without a problem in my 38/357's. I even used them in my 9MM loads. Tony Z

September 30, 2002, 08:35 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	They tried a number of things to improve ignition in magnums. About five years ago I picked up a clean, bright, nickel plated case headstamped "R-P 357 Magnum" with LARGE primer.

September 30, 2002, 09:00 PM	#6
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	Yes you can use them in .357 cases BUT they are hotter than the Small pistol primers and they may be more difficult to ignite due to a stronger primer cup. Aside from that use them, just watch your load and start with the starting load listed.