Have any of you used small pistol primers as a substitute for SPM primers in your 357 Mag loads?
Having some trouble finding SP magnum primers and want to ration them. I have plenty SP and was considering trying them.
To my mind it depends on what your loads are, and what you want out of them
If using such as WW296, 2400, H-110 etc. in full power loads then use Magnum primers to ensure full ignition of those powders.
I've used powders such as Unique, Bullseye, 4227, WW452AA, WW231 etc. with Standard primers and had no problem doing that, but only loading to mid- range power levels and not trying to make them into super-hot loads.
I always thought small rifle primers were more resistant to high pressure and were recommended for .357 magnums, that's what I've always used . Pistol primers have thinner walls and take less impact to detonate them, not a factor in most large hand guns.
Grizz
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Thanks guys for the info.
I will check out the small rifle primer usage.
I was looking at the load data for the 38 Special +P and pressure they list. I always like to keep the load density in the 60%+ range to ensure consistent ignition and to prevent detonation. There was an old Guns and Ammo or Shooting Times article that showed the results of a detonation in a revolver, it totally destroyed the cylinder and damaged top strap.
Using small pistol primers in 357 Mag ??
Pistol primers have thinner walls and take less impact to detonate them, not a factor in most large hand guns.
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