primer question

[timmeh95]

would it be possible to use something like a small magnum pistol primer in place of a small rifle primer? or is doing that or anything like that a bad idea?

Just a question i thought of when reloading earlier after seeing the rifle primers were running low.

[milotrain]

Bad idea.

Small Pistol Primers and Small Rifle Primers are the same dimension but that doesn't mean they are the same. You can't just mix and match. At some point you will be able to look at various components and know what you can mix and match without asking a question on a forum, at that point you are qualified to do your own tests and make your own decisions. Before that point you shouldn't take anyone else's advice except that of the reloading manual.

[CSACANNONEER]

BAD IDEA!!!!

[JMP]

I'd try it if the circumstances are right. A case like the 454 Cas is a magnum handgun cartridge that calls for a small rifle primer instead of a small magnum pistol. Both work.

Primer selection is a very good way to fine tune your loads.

[CSACANNONEER]

Normally, rifle primers have a harder (and possibly thicker) cup to handle the higher pressures. Do you really think it is a good idea to just swap types of primers? There are reasons that they don't just have "small primers" and "large primers". Have you done any research? 30 seconds of googling gave me tons of info.

[Lead Waster]

It really is unfortunate that there wasn't just a single primer size for all centerfire ... like small pistol primers for everything. Oh well...

I guess it's like how we have metric (which is awesome) and then we have stupid Imperial (and two flavors of it).

[JMP]

I frequently use primers that are not based on book loads to get better results; I have also had to have some of my firing pin and firing pin holes modified to best work with my primer. Like I said, it depends on the circumstances.

[TMB 1]

Normally, rifle primers have a harder (and possibly thicker) cup to handle the higher pressures. Do you really think it is a good idea to just swap types of primers? There are reasons that they don't just have "small primers" and "large primers". Have you done any research? 30 seconds of googling gave me tons of info.

Yeah, even in just rifle primers there are differences, magnum, br primers are thicker so you don't pierce them at higher pressure. They also make thicker standard primers for semi auto rifles so they don't slam fire.

Pistol primers are softer/thinner because of less pressure and weaker firing pin strike.

[CSACANNONEER]

I frequently use primers that are not based on book loads to get better results; I have also had to have some of my firing pin and firing pin holes modified to best work with my primer. Like I said, it depends on the circumstances.

However, you are a very experienced and knowledgeable reloader who understands the risks and is willing to take those risks. I, too, do things for my personal loads that I would NEVER tell someone else to do or, even worse, just put it on the internet for some inexperienced reloader to attempt.
When Cubans are falling from the sky and zombies are a few miles off, that might be a whole different ballgame. Until then, I will advise reloaders to use the proper primers for the cartridges they are reloading for.

Now, where did I put that depleted uranium? Where the hell is the flash paper I made for my duplex and triplex loads? Last time I saw it, it was under the tub of fulminated mercury next to the ball mill.

['ol shooter]

I've said it before and will say it again, I am a lemming when it comes to reloading, I follow the book specs. I have no interest in experimenting outside book parameters, and want my eyes, fingers and ears right where they are.

[stilly]

Bad idea.

Small Pistol Primers and Small Rifle Primers are the same dimension but that doesn't mean they are the same. You can't just mix and match. At some point you will be able to look at various components and know what you can mix and match without asking a question on a forum, at that point you are qualified to do your own tests and make your own decisions. Before that point you shouldn't take anyone else's advice except that of the reloading manual.

+1

All kinds of rules are meant to be broken. When you get there, you will know which ones and how by experimentation and ladder loads...