Primer question for .357 Mag and .45 Auto

[The Geologist]

I have a boat load of Fiocchi .357 Mag and Blazer .45 Auto casings with small primer pockets. What primers should I use for these? Books I have don't show any specs. I'm a bit new in the reloading scene.

[Na-vah-duh]

Small pistol primers

[wtkaiser]

Is that Blazer made with the aluminum "brass"? If so, shouldn't it be effectively unloadable with Berdan primers?

[bandook]

Small Pistol Magnum for .357 Magnum. Small Pistol for .45 Auto Blazer Brass. (the Aluminum stuff isn't re-loadable)

[Dark Mod]

Small pistol primers will work fine with both

[Fyathyrio]

For the .357, follow the recipes in your loading manuals, some use small pistol magnum, some just use small pistol. For the .45 you will likely have to experiment a bit (start low and work up) as there's not a ton of load data for SP primers.

[Bill Steele]

Small pistol primers will work fine with both

I agree, that is what I use.

[The Geologist]

Any brand suggestions? CCI, Winchester, Remington.......?

[Fishslayer]

For the .45, any Small Pistol Primer will be fine. Any load recipe will specify but I've never seen a .45ACP call for a magnum primer. I've run a couple batches of the SPP .45ACP & there was no appreciable difference.

For .357 Magnum loads it depends on the powder. I've never seen a magnum primer specified for Alliant 2400 while H110 usually does. Check your manual.

Magnum loads with faster powders don't generally require a magnum primer.

As for brands, CCI are generally considered the hardest primers and Federal the softest (easiest to ignite.) Federal packaging sucks.
I've used CCI & Winchester large & small & they work fine. I prefer the Winchester. They seem to seat a bit more easily.

[Ukiahgunnut]

My 1911 used Large Pistol Primers for the reloading of Winchester JHP (white box) 45acp. I have heard about small pistol primers for some .45acp, but not many.

UGN

[stand125]

My 1911 used Large Pistol Primers for the reloading of Winchester JHP (white box) 45acp. I have heard about small pistol primers for some .45acp, but not many.

UGN

I am noticing more federal and Blazer SPP 45acp brass at the range lately. I can notice a difference between SPP and LPP if the powder load is light.

[Bill Steele]

Any brand suggestions? CCI, Winchester, Remington.......?

I prefer Winchester, Powder Valley has them. My last order was $25/1000.

[j.primo]

I've used CCI, FEDERAL, WINCHESTER, SPP. All work great and go bang. Right now I'm going through a brick of Tula, no issues so far with the Tula.

I have reloaded Federal .45 SPP with the same recipes from my .45 LPP. The only difference between the two is primer size.

Some people say use Magnum primers for .357, i still use non magnum primers.

Just get a brick of SPP your choice of brand (I get whatever is most inexpensive) and you'll be good to go from there.

It sucks when you start getting .45 large primers pocketed casing. I only have about 65 .45 SPP, so I keep that batch separate and tumble it with brass that's not .45.

Good lucks

[Fishslayer]

My 1911 used Large Pistol Primers for the reloading of Winchester JHP (white box) 45acp. I have heard about small pistol primers for some .45acp, but not many.

UGN

It's showing up more & more in "non-toxic" ammo made for indoor ranges.

It's what our local WalMarts are carrying. Federal is the biggie. Headstamp is a * Federal* vice a plain "Federal." I've collected quite a good stash of those. Loaded up a couple batches & they work just fine. No real difference from LPP.

Win-Kleen is another common one.

CCI, Blazer & Speer are a few others that come to mind that sometimes have the SPP.

[Ukiahgunnut]

I am fairly new to the .45acp scene, but not to reloading. I am learning new things about the .45acp. Thanks Fishslayer.

UGN