.44 magnum primer question

under_dawg · February 28, 2009, 04:58 AM

Is it ok to use a magnum primer with Trail Boss powder (240 fr lswc hard cast / 44 mag case)? I bought 1000 of the Federal magnum primers to use with H-110. Primers around here are getting hard to find.

I load mostly .357 mag and asked Hodgdon about the mag primers in .357 and they said that is what they used in test rounds so I'm hoping it won't make much difference in 44 mag loads either.

troy_mclure · February 28, 2009, 05:26 AM

i alys used mag primers when i loaded for .44mag/spc.

kraigwy · February 28, 2009, 10:51 AM

I was concerned about the primer shortage, seems you can find small pistol mag primers and not standard primers. I shoot a lot of light to mid range loads that dont require mag primers.

I called serveral primer makers regarding using mag primers, the concinses was, to reduce the powder charge by 5% when switching from standard to mag primers.

Running my loads through the chronograph, indicated the recommendation was pretty close. That being reducing the powder charge 5% when switching to mag primers. You still might have to tweek your loads to get back to the accuracy you had before.

WESHOOT2 · February 28, 2009, 02:41 PM

Most highly recommend NO deviations from Hodgdon's specified components when using TrailBoss, none whatsoever.
None.

under_dawg · March 2, 2009, 07:46 PM

I called Hodgdon today. I think I spoke with a guy named Mike. He said magnum primers could cause too much pressure in the 44 mag. When I started reloading .357 mag about a year ago I got a hard copy of Hodgdons free reloading guide(s). One was just for cowboy loads, the other had all loads. I can't recall them mentioning the primer type in the load data so I called them. I was told .357 magnum was tested with a magnum primer. I was hoping they used mag primers in the 44 mag as well (since that's all I can find locally right now). I guess I will keep looking before I load up some cowboys.

WESHOOT2 · March 3, 2009, 10:19 AM

TrailBoss can act funny, so Hodgdon's warning should be heeded.

Not so big a deal with numerous other powder choices (next choice might be Universal....).

February 28, 2009, 04:58 AM	#1
under_dawg Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Cayce, SC Posts: 222	.44 magnum primer question Is it ok to use a magnum primer with Trail Boss powder (240 fr lswc hard cast / 44 mag case)? I bought 1000 of the Federal magnum primers to use with H-110. Primers around here are getting hard to find. I load mostly .357 mag and asked Hodgdon about the mag primers in .357 and they said that is what they used in test rounds so I'm hoping it won't make much difference in 44 mag loads either.

February 28, 2009, 05:26 AM	#2
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	i alys used mag primers when i loaded for .44mag/spc. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

February 28, 2009, 10:51 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I was concerned about the primer shortage, seems you can find small pistol mag primers and not standard primers. I shoot a lot of light to mid range loads that dont require mag primers. I called serveral primer makers regarding using mag primers, the concinses was, to reduce the powder charge by 5% when switching from standard to mag primers. Running my loads through the chronograph, indicated the recommendation was pretty close. That being reducing the powder charge 5% when switching to mag primers. You still might have to tweek your loads to get back to the accuracy you had before. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 28, 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	no joke Most highly recommend NO deviations from Hodgdon's specified components when using TrailBoss, none whatsoever. None. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 3, 2009, 10:19 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Act Two TrailBoss can act funny, so Hodgdon's warning should be heeded. Not so big a deal with numerous other powder choices (next choice might be Universal....). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 2, 2009, 07:46 PM	#5
under_dawg Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Cayce, SC Posts: 222	I called Hodgdon today. I think I spoke with a guy named Mike. He said magnum primers could cause too much pressure in the 44 mag. When I started reloading .357 mag about a year ago I got a hard copy of Hodgdons free reloading guide(s). One was just for cowboy loads, the other had all loads. I can't recall them mentioning the primer type in the load data so I called them. I was told .357 magnum was tested with a magnum primer. I was hoping they used mag primers in the 44 mag as well (since that's all I can find locally right now). I guess I will keep looking before I load up some cowboys.