Federal SP vs Federal Match SP

Arkmaker · December 21, 2012, 07:45 AM

Hi guys,
I am new to reloading and the forum. So far I have loaded arounf 1K of 38 spl with various powders, bullets and used Federal SP and Tul Ammo SP primers.

I have been having a hard time finding SP primers in any brand, but when I was at my local store, I saw they had Federal Match SP primers in stock. I did not get them because I have not heard anything about them. What's your take on them and would they be ok to use in place of the standard small pistol primers other than the increased price? I prime using a hand primer, not on the press.

Thanks.

spacecoast · December 21, 2012, 08:02 AM

They will be fine.

Arkmaker · December 21, 2012, 08:26 AM

Thanks, that os what I thought, but figured it would be best to ask! Also, found the search which is what I should have used before posting the question. Live and learn!
Thanks again,
Now to see if they still have them ;-)

jwrowland77 · December 21, 2012, 08:42 AM

You can use magnum primers too. Just drop your load by 10% and work back up to load you have.

Arkmaker · December 21, 2012, 09:07 AM

Magnums? I did not know that. If that is all they have in stock, I will give it a try.

I have not used the chrony on any of my loads yet. Need to get to the outdoor range for that. Been staying to the low loading limits on everything, except for my Accurate #2 loads, which started off light (3.0 gr) and I increased after testing out the previous loads. Up to 4.5 gr on this last batch of 50 and hoping to get to the range for testing today or tomorrow. I'm thinking that is going to be about as hot as I want to go. Truthfully, I like the low recoil from the light loads although the 3.0 loads were too light and 3.5 was a joy to shoot for 10-15 yards!! Ramble over..

Thanks again, looks like this forum will help me out a lot. Hope to help when I can, but really need more experience before that happens!

December 21, 2012, 07:45 AM	#1
Arkmaker Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 31	Federal SP vs Federal Match SP Hi guys, I am new to reloading and the forum. So far I have loaded arounf 1K of 38 spl with various powders, bullets and used Federal SP and Tul Ammo SP primers. I have been having a hard time finding SP primers in any brand, but when I was at my local store, I saw they had Federal Match SP primers in stock. I did not get them because I have not heard anything about them. What's your take on them and would they be ok to use in place of the standard small pistol primers other than the increased price? I prime using a hand primer, not on the press. Thanks.

December 21, 2012, 08:02 AM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	They will be fine.

December 21, 2012, 08:26 AM	#3
Arkmaker Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 31	Thanks, that os what I thought, but figured it would be best to ask! Also, found the search which is what I should have used before posting the question. Live and learn! Thanks again, Now to see if they still have them ;-)

December 21, 2012, 08:42 AM	#4
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	You can use magnum primers too. Just drop your load by 10% and work back up to load you have.

December 21, 2012, 09:07 AM	#5
Arkmaker Member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 31	Magnums? I did not know that. If that is all they have in stock, I will give it a try. I have not used the chrony on any of my loads yet. Need to get to the outdoor range for that. Been staying to the low loading limits on everything, except for my Accurate #2 loads, which started off light (3.0 gr) and I increased after testing out the previous loads. Up to 4.5 gr on this last batch of 50 and hoping to get to the range for testing today or tomorrow. I'm thinking that is going to be about as hot as I want to go. Truthfully, I like the low recoil from the light loads although the 3.0 loads were too light and 3.5 was a joy to shoot for 10-15 yards!! Ramble over.. Thanks again, looks like this forum will help me out a lot. Hope to help when I can, but really need more experience before that happens!