Using standard primers for 357 Mag

[ireload]

I use std primers since I exclusively use only Unique (primary), W231 and True Blue (secondary). I use to use 2400 with mag primer since the powder burns more efficient from my 4" barrel but I've down sized my powder inventory to powders I can use in multiple calibers.

[orangeusa]

I just follow the recipes provided by powder mfgs. Very few loads call out Magnum primers.
Old timers at reloading clubs are NOT always the best source of information.

[Germz]

158gr cast Flat point
13gr 2400
Small Pistol Primer

It will get the job done whatever that job may be

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Fishslayer]

2400 in .357 doesn't require a magnum primer.

[ejhc11]

Follow your manual or manuals - they're published for a reason.

[socalangler]

I had a lot of problems when I started loading 357 with 2400. My reloading manual called for magnum primers and somewhere around 14 grains max on 158 grn swc. I thought I was starting conservatively at 12 grains and to my surprise I was getting signs of over pressure. Cratered primers and a few stuck cases. A old timer at the range told me to try a standard sm pistol primer. Same exact load using regular small pistol primer was perfect.

[bigbossman]

Anyone using 700x for their .357 reloads? If so, what primer is best with that powder?

Standard.

[desertjosh]

So 4227 should be good with SPP too?

[Enfield47]

For 700x, standard primers.

Standard.

Thanks guys. I'm looking at picking up a Winchester 1873 (new production) this year and want to have some .357 rounds for it and my GP100. Right now I only shoot .38 out of my GP100 because I don't have any .357 brass or ammo so it's nice to know I will be able to share primers between the two rounds. I have a backorder for Starline .357 brass at Midway so hopefully it will come in soon.

[roadglide2003]

You can use standard primers on magnum cases, refer to your manuals for recipes. Lee precision is a good source

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[mindwreck]

I've used regular primers in my 50ae h110 loads since i first started loaded them. Works just fine and burns clean.

[sghart]

"158gr cast Flat point
13gr 2400
Small Pistol Primer

It will get the job done whatever that job may be"


Amen Germz!!


"I just follow the recipes provided by powder mfgs. Very few loads call out Magnum primers.
Old timers at reloading clubs are NOT always the best source of information. "

orangeusa: Have you actually read any of the load books that you reference? In the latest Lyman cast bullet handbook they list at least 80 357 loads with powders from W231 to 2400, all with magnum primers. In the new Ramshot/Accurate powder manual all 357 loads are magnum primers. In Sierra new manual all 357 loads are listed with magnum primers. Where are these "very few loads" that you reference?

I am trying to keep new reloaders from using magnum primers where they are not needed.

[orangeusa]

IMR website and Lee (which is a compilation from powder mfgs).
I have the Lyman cast bullet book and yes it does call out magnum primers for 357. 44remmag is called out with an asterisk ....

My only point was that i was told several times at one of the reloading clinics that you have to use mag primers for 357 and 44remmag which is incorrect as a blanket statement.

"158gr cast Flat point
13gr 2400
Small Pistol Primer

It will get the job done whatever that job may be"


Amen Germz!!


"I just follow the recipes provided by powder mfgs. Very few loads call out Magnum primers.
Old timers at reloading clubs are NOT always the best source of information. "

orangeusa: Have you actually read any of the load books that you reference? In the latest Lyman cast bullet handbook they list at least 80 357 loads with powders from W231 to 2400, all with magnum primers. In the new Ramshot/Accurate powder manual all 357 loads are magnum primers. In Sierra new manual all 357 loads are listed with magnum primers. Where are these "very few loads" that you reference?

I am trying to keep new reloaders from using magnum primers where they are not needed.

[sghart]

You were "told several times at one of your reloading clinics..."

You pass this off as gospel to a new reloader asking for advice. In the same post you denigrate "old timers at the reloading club". Old timers that have forgotten more about reloading than the majority of people here will ever gather.

I would listen to the oldtimer. Heck, I'm one myself. I will explain the source of my irritation.

As a young man I loaded several calibers with a handful of powders. I diligently followed all of the manuals, talked to experienced people and built a good reference library. This was all in the days before the internet. I settled on loads for all of my guns and saw no reason to change.

I am a hermit in a manner of speaking and I don't get to town around people often. So imagine my surprise when I was in a gun store a few years back and I hear a guy ask for magnum primers. He told the clerk he was loading 44 mag with 2400. Against my better judgement I told him that he didn't need them with 2400. He was very polite and told me that the manual said he did. After he left I asked the clerk, an old buddy of mine, and he confirmed what the customer said about the manuals.

This started another round of research on my part. I found that most of the powder manufacturers had changed their manuals. I called Alliant and asked if they had changed the composition of 2400. No change. I asked the Hodgdon rep at a trade show if HP38 had changed. He actually gave me the number to their chemist. The chemist said no change. I would look at older versions of the manuals in my library that would list 2400 with standard primers and then look at the new book on the store shelf and the same load listed magnum primers.

This went on and on. The only reason they could give me was that new consumers, with no historical reference to rely on, were hesitant to load magnum rounds with standard primers. Even in the face of mountains of evidence.

I hesitated even getting into this thread. I did so because magnum primers with the wrong powder can causes pressure spikes and worse.

My only conclusion can be this. If you don't want to take the time to do research, ask questions, question the answers that you do get, and do your own experimenting then you have to rely on the answers that you get on forums like this. If you are going to give an answer be able to defend it with something better than "heard it in one of my clinics".

[orangeusa]

I said to follow the recipes from the powder manufacturers. I said that a few old timers were giving bad advice.

I was suggesting that all reloaders should read, attend a clinic or learn from a friend. But the main point is to err on the side of safety. And to use your head. Just because someone still has all their digits does not mean their advice is valid.

And why did you rip me for saying not to use magnum primers. My point was to follow published recipes from powder manufacturers. They WOULD NOT be in business with dangerous published loads. And yes I've done my homework. Magnum primers do have a larger impulse response than regular primers.

EDIT: My post last night was rude. I apologize and have cleaned it up some.

You were "told several times at one of your reloading clinics..."

You pass this off as gospel to a new reloader asking for advice. In the same post you denigrate "old timers at the reloading club". Old timers that have forgotten more about reloading than the majority of people here will ever gather.

I would listen to the oldtimer. Heck, I'm one myself. I will explain the source of my irritation.

As a young man I loaded several calibers with a handful of powders. I diligently followed all of the manuals, talked to experienced people and built a good reference library. This was all in the days before the internet. I settled on loads for all of my guns and saw no reason to change.

I am a hermit in a manner of speaking and I don't get to town around people often. So imagine my surprise when I was in a gun store a few years back and I hear a guy ask for magnum primers. He told the clerk he was loading 44 mag with 2400. Against my better judgement I told him that he didn't need them with 2400. He was very polite and told me that the manual said he did. After he left I asked the clerk, an old buddy of mine, and he confirmed what the customer said about the manuals.

This started another round of research on my part. I found that most of the powder manufacturers had changed their manuals. I called Alliant and asked if they had changed the composition of 2400. No change. I asked the Hodgdon rep at a trade show if HP38 had changed. He actually gave me the number to their chemist. The chemist said no change. I looked at a version of the manual in my library that would list 2400 with standard primers and then look at the new on e on the shelf and the same load listed magnum primers.

This went on and on. The only reason they could give me was that new consumers, with no historical reference to rely on, were hesitant to load magnum rounds with standard primers. Even in the face of mountains of evidence.

I hesitated even getting into this thread. I did so because magnum primers with the wrong powder can causes pressure spikes and worse.

My only conclusion can be this. If you don't want to take the time to do research, ask questions, question the answers that you do get, and do your own experimenting then you have to rely on the answers that you get on forums like this. If you are going to give an answer be able to defend it with something better than "heard it in one of my clinics".