Primer Questions

Cheepshot · September 28, 2007, 04:00 PM

Can I use the same small primer for a 9mm, 40cal, 45ACP and .233?

I have read information about bullets and powder but nothing about primers and cannot figure it out!

CrustyFN · September 28, 2007, 04:47 PM

No. 9mm and 40 will be a small pistol primer. 45 will be a large pistol primer. 223 will be a small rifle primer. The reloading manual should tell you what primer was used in their test.
Rusty

Hawg · September 28, 2007, 05:22 PM

Don't try to use small rifle or large rifle primers in small or large pistol calibers. Even tho they're the same diameter the length of rifle primers is longer.

CrustyFN · September 29, 2007, 07:18 PM

In my Speer manual it calls for small rifle magnum primers with W748 and H335 powders. I have used standard SRP and not had any problems.
Rusty

amamnn · September 30, 2007, 04:48 PM

There has been so much nonsense written about primers, even in supposedly sagacious publications, that some years ago, in addition to asking a great many annoying questions of every major primer maker, I had to do my own primer experiments.

Hodgon and Winchester (which at the time were different companies) both disparaged the idea that magnum primers needed to be used in non-magnum loads when using their ball (Win) or spherical (Hod) powders. My tests, such as they were, agreed.

As to primer dimensions:

The two predominate sizes of primers in use today fall into the basic categories of “small” and “large.” These may be further defined as being either rifle or pistol primers. Differences between the two include priming composition mixture, cup thickness and sensitivity, and very slight dimensional discrepancies in height. Within these sub-categories, the primers are defined still further, as standard, magnum, and in rifles, benchrest primers. Distinctions between these types vary from brand to brand, but most relate to composition mixtures, intensity and quality control standards during production. Diameters of the two sizes are .175" for the small rifle and pistol, and .210" for the large rifle and pistol, respectively. *

* From "Exterior Ballistics" a part of the very informative Sierra handloading manual.

You should never use pistol primers in a rifle cartridge, as the cup is softer and may be blanked (pierced) when struck by the firing pin. If you must substitute a rifle primer in a handgun cartridge don't be surprised if it does not ignite properly or fail to ignite, especially in handguns that use a transfer bar to strike the primer instead of a direct blow from the hammer.

September 28, 2007, 04:00 PM	#1
Cheepshot Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2007 Posts: 14	Primer Questions Can I use the same small primer for a 9mm, 40cal, 45ACP and .233? I have read information about bullets and powder but nothing about primers and cannot figure it out!

September 28, 2007, 04:47 PM	#2
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	No. 9mm and 40 will be a small pistol primer. 45 will be a large pistol primer. 223 will be a small rifle primer. The reloading manual should tell you what primer was used in their test. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

September 29, 2007, 07:18 PM	#4
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	In my Speer manual it calls for small rifle magnum primers with W748 and H335 powders. I have used standard SRP and not had any problems. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

September 30, 2007, 04:48 PM	#5
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	There has been so much nonsense written about primers, even in supposedly sagacious publications, that some years ago, in addition to asking a great many annoying questions of every major primer maker, I had to do my own primer experiments. Hodgon and Winchester (which at the time were different companies) both disparaged the idea that magnum primers needed to be used in non-magnum loads when using their ball (Win) or spherical (Hod) powders. My tests, such as they were, agreed. As to primer dimensions: The two predominate sizes of primers in use today fall into the basic categories of “small” and “large.” These may be further defined as being either rifle or pistol primers. Differences between the two include priming composition mixture, cup thickness and sensitivity, and very slight dimensional discrepancies in height. Within these sub-categories, the primers are defined still further, as standard, magnum, and in rifles, benchrest primers. Distinctions between these types vary from brand to brand, but most relate to composition mixtures, intensity and quality control standards during production. Diameters of the two sizes are .175" for the small rifle and pistol, and .210" for the large rifle and pistol, respectively. * * From "Exterior Ballistics" a part of the very informative Sierra handloading manual. You should never use pistol primers in a rifle cartridge, as the cup is softer and may be blanked (pierced) when struck by the firing pin. If you must substitute a rifle primer in a handgun cartridge don't be surprised if it does not ignite properly or fail to ignite, especially in handguns that use a transfer bar to strike the primer instead of a direct blow from the hammer. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

September 28, 2007, 05:22 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Don't try to use small rifle or large rifle primers in small or large pistol calibers. Even tho they're the same diameter the length of rifle primers is longer.