Primer question from noob

[Socalman]

I am preparing to take the plunge into reloading. My first steps will be with .38/.357. I understand that there are different primers for the .357 magnum that are faster/hotter. My question is simply how to decide on which primer to use for the small pistol cartridge? I see primers from CCI, Remington, Federal, Winchester, etc. What do YOU use and why?

[Fishslayer]

The stock answer is "Use what the load recipe calls for."

Not all magnum loads require a magnum primer. I have never seen a .357 magnum recipe with 2400 powder that requires a magnum primer.

Ditto magnum loads loaded with faster powder.

EDIT: Missed the "what do you use etc...

I have used CCI & Winchester. Have had zero problems with either but prefer the Winchester. They are a bit softer than the CCI and seat a bit more easily. Federal are the softest but their packaging is a total PITA.

[lpspinner]

I have never used a magnum primer for my .357s. Always used Winchesters SPP

[Changalang]

The stock answer is "Use what the load recipe calls for."

Not all magnum loads require a magnum primer. I have never seen a .357 magnum recipe with 2400 powder that requires a magnum primer.

Ditto magnum loads loaded with faster powder.

EDIT: Missed the "what do you use etc...

I have used CCI & Winchester. Have had zero problems with either but prefer the Winchester. They are a bit softer than the CCI and seat a bit more easily. Federal are the softest but their packaging is a total PITA.

"gentlemen we need to set ourselves apart from these other primer manufacturers."
"lets make the primers sideways in the package!"
BRILLIANT.

[theduece]

I use cci, or Winchester SPP on everything I load that takes a spp.
Come to think about it I use those brands almost exclusively. For no other reason then thats what i started with so I just continue to buy those.

[Fishslayer]

"gentlemen we need to set ourselves apart from these other primer manufacturers."
"lets make the primers sideways in the package!"
BRILLIANT.

I have no idea if it's true or not but I saw a story that Mr. Lee of the reloading company actually had something to do with that. Something about a feud between he and Federal. Could be a total load of BS but an interesting story.

[Turbinator]

I have never used a magnum primer for my .357s. Always used Winchesters SPP

Yup - agree with this.

Turby

[j.primo]

I never use Magnum primers. Standard works fine on my .357 loads.
I use whichever brand is on sale.

GL

[IntoForever]

I use Winchester or CCI. I've smashed these little bastards in sideways, upside down, angled and never had one pop on the press. My Lee presses say when you use Federal you mush have a blast shield... I'll pass! When loaded properly, they always go bang when I want them to.

[HKMadness]

You should be using magnum primers if you are usin a powder like h110/w296. You want to use the proper primer for the powder you are using. Standard primers work well with 2400, but you really should use magnum primers for powders like h110.

That said, I make light .357 loads for my 2.75" ruger using bullseye, I use standard cci primers. I love cci primers, never had one issue with them, they always go bang.

[Cheep]

The powder (and recipe) determine the primer. I use Winchester and Wolf in 38/357.

[wtkaiser]

OP, since you're new to this glorious hobby (which will save you enough money that you can buy more stuff!), always remember that what you read here MAY NOT jibe with what you think. Most of it is good info. Some, ehhhh. What was said above I believe to be fact. The powder and the recipe determine the primer. The powder folks and most of the reloading manual folks have access to pressure labs most of us cannot imagine. And while their experiments only hold true for what components they use, I still think they're close enough that I wouldn't want to exceed them. But read up on it. Study a few different loading manuals from bullet and powder manufacturers. You will find some variance even within the same cartridge in different manuals. Start out slow and humble and soon enough you too will spew forth your opinion like the rest of us here!

[russt]

wolf primers are great for the price

[russt]

wolf primers are great for the price

[AJD]

"gentlemen we need to set ourselves apart from these other primer manufacturers."
"lets make the primers sideways in the package!"
BRILLIANT.

Federal doesn't put their primers in those packages like that just for kicks. Federal uses an older "basic" primer compound which is much more sensative than the common primer compound used by other manufactures. Because the compound is more volatile with Federal primers, they're packaged that way for safety. That's really the reason everyone finds Federal primers the most sensative and not so much because they're softer than any other.

And +1 to using magnum primers with 296/H110.