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magnum primers

Cornflk1
Can anyone tell me if magnum primers make a real difference? I've loaded many 357 mag rounds with regular small primers and AA5 and Bullseye and they go bang reliably.

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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6 comments

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  • Cornflk1
    Getting ready to reload some .223 Remington ammo. Reloading with the popular BLC2 powder, my Speer reloading book recomends using CCI-450 magnum primers.

    My question is: I have several Federal #205 small rifle primers as well as Winchester # WSR primers, these are not designated as "magnum", what would be the difference between these and the CCI 450's?

    Thanks in advance.
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  • cussedemgun
    Cornflk1,

    Most reloading manuals include a brief discription & explanation of the basic components used in loading a cartridge. I quote from Speer's #11 manual:

    Magnum primers; Magnum primers contain a greater amount and/or slightly different explosive mix than is used in standard primers. On ignition, magnum primers give a longer burning, hotter flame. Their use is recommended for 1) any ammunition that will be used at or below 0 degrees F. 2) With most ball powders, and 3) With slow burning rifle powders like MRP and IMR4831 in very large cases. - - - - ETC.

    In short, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

    Jim
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  • FEENIX
    Checkout ...

    http://www.handloads.com/misc/primers.asp
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  • 11b6r
    As cussed said- Magnum primers usually have a smidge of powdered aluminum added to the priming compound, producing a hotter, longer lasting flame. I load heavy .357 Magnum rounds with 2400 powder- to get it all lit really does take a magnum primer.

    And a gentle reminder to any reloader- when changing ANY component, drop back to starting levels, and work your way back up.
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  • Cornflk1
    Sorry, maybe I need to refine my question: Are Federal and Winchester primer to be considered magnum? Even though they don't have that designation and apparently they only make one type of primer for general small rifle reloading. (I think, correct me if I'm wrong). I have used both of these primers in the past without any problems--unburnt powder, missfires, etc. Just wondering.
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  • cussedemgun
    Cornflk1,

    www.federalpremium.com/ammunition_catalog/components.aspx

    Sir, it seems you are correct as far as Federal small rifle primers are concerned. They make no distinction between 'standard' & 'magnum' as far as small rifle is concerned. They do make "magnum" class primers for the 3 other class/size uses.

    Kinda' makes me go HMMMM---. Why not ask them? If they will not reccomend the particular use, I wouldn't do it.

    Jim
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