Small primer 45 ACP? Any difference in load?

[Jason_2111]

I've just finished processing a large batch of 45 brass (getting caught up). This time around, there's quite a bit of small primer 45 in there. Normally, I sort these out, and once there's a decent bag of them, I offer them up to trade for LP brass.... cuz I know there's some folks that prefer it.

But I'm thinking... I'm getting small pistol primers for cheaper than large pistol primers, so maybe I'll keep it all and load it up. (Save it for use in a place where the brass won't be picked up, like when I shoot when there's a lot of snow).

I've seen comments on the webz that switching from large to small doesn't really require a load change... but I'd like to hear from anyone here that's done it with no downside.

Interestingly, I've gotten a bunch of 10mm that's got the small primer as well... so same question goes for that. (but I know there aren't a lot of 10mm fans like me out there).

TIA!

[sghart]

I've never seen a difference in accuracy or velocity.

I do the same thing. I save the SP brass for when I go camping or shooting in the boonies. If the brass gets lost I don't sweat it as much.

[Cowboy T]

I've done a fair amount of small primer .45 ACP. As long as you're staying within the books, there should be no noticeable difference between SP cases and LP cases, using the same loads.

Like you, I keep the SP cases and simply keep them separate. Then I reload them in a nice, big batch run on the progressive press, head to the range, and have fun practicing marksmanship. :-)

[Sandspider500]

I've just finished processing a large batch of 45 brass (getting caught up). This time around, there's quite a bit of small primer 45 in there. Normally, I sort these out, and once there's a decent bag of them, I offer them up to trade for LP brass.... cuz I know there's some folks that prefer it.

But I'm thinking... I'm getting small pistol primers for cheaper than large pistol primers, so maybe I'll keep it all and load it up. (Save it for use in a place where the brass won't be picked up, like when I shoot when there's a lot of snow).

I've seen comments on the webz that switching from large to small doesn't really require a load change... but I'd like to hear from anyone here that's done it with no downside.

Interestingly, I've gotten a bunch of 10mm that's got the small primer as well... so same question goes for that. (but I know there aren't a lot of 10mm fans like me out there).

TIA!

Most, not all spp 45 brass has a thicker case head. Most, not all lpp 45 brass has larger case capacity. It's not by much.


Case weights and H2O capacities Federal (large font) 87gr/27.9gr H2O
Federal (small font) 93.5gr/26.7gr H2O
FC (federal) 85.7gr/28.1gr H2O
Speer 95gr/26.9gr H2O
Speer +p 93.9gr/26.9gr H2O
Blazer 94gr 26.9gr H2O
Xtreme 98.3gr/26.6gr H2O

The thicker head on the spp also moves the web farther up into the chamber.

[Sandspider500]

Some pics spp 45 brass

[Cowboy T]

SandSpider500's posts above are one of several reasons why it's so important to work up your loads and not start at max, in general. In this case (yes, pun intended), he's right, it's not a big difference. My .45 ACP loads chrono about the same whether I use SPP cases or LPP versions. The difference in brisance between SPP's and LPP's may play a factor here by offsetting the slightly smaller case volumes.

[Sandspider500]

Here's another for ya

You don't need to section the case, you can measure depth with your calipers from the case mouth.. Some spp case heads are thin, and have a thinner web. The F C. and federal large font brass are both like this and will expand in the web .005 beyond what the other spp cases will with 45 super loads.

Lpp winchester, r-p and federal will also expand .005 in the web beyond the spp cases, but I got a deal on lpp Barnes +p brass that does not. Which is weird because I think Remington makes their brass.

[Jason_2111]

Thanks a lot guys! That's just what I was hoping to hear. I'll load up these and keep them in a separate ammo can.