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Primer substitution

Big Cedar Idaho
I'm new to reloading, and I was wondering, if all else being equal (powder and bullet), is it a problem to substitute a different brand primer than what is listed in a reloading table? For example, the table I have for reloading Hornady V-Max 40 grain bullets states a Winchester LR primer was used. Would it be a problem to use a CCI #200 primer instead? Thanks for your help.
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • Big Cedar Idaho
    I am having trouble locating large rifle primers in my ares due to shortages of loading components.
    Does anyone know if I can use large pistol primers in place of large rifle for average loads in .308 and 30.06?
    The loads do not have to be match grade.

    Thanks for the help.
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  • rufe-snow
    The metal used in pistol primers is thiner/softer? then that used in rifle primers. Because of this it's not recommended to substitute pistol primers for rifle primers. As the pressures are much greater for rifle cartridges, you would potentially be risking a firing pin puncturing the primer.
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  • cpermd
    quote:Originally posted by Big Cedar Idaho

    Does anyone know if I can use large pistol primers in place of large rifle for average loads in .308 and 30.06?


    NO

    CP
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  • 11b6r
    Pistol primers are shorter. They will seat deeper, and may not fire. RIFLE primers used in pistols may reult in a "high" primer, can jam weapon, or fire when not wanted to fire. Oooppps!
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  • JustC
    NO
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by Big Cedar Idaho
    I am having trouble locating large rifle primers in my ares due to shortages of loading components.
    Does anyone know if I can use large pistol primers in place of large rifle for average loads in .308 and 30.06?
    The loads do not have to be match grade.

    Thanks for the help.


    Three reasons why not to:

    a. The primer cups are softer, and rifle firing pins might pierce them when firing. Not good if that happens.

    b. The pistol primers are thinner in terms of front-back dimension, leading to deeper primer seating. That can cause poor primer hits and misfires, depending on your particular gun's firing pin setup.

    (Seat them too shallowly, and they might move when hit by the firing pin and not go off. . .seat them too deeply, and now the firing pin might not reach them).

    c. My understanding is that pistol primers aren't quite as "hot". So assuming they do go off, they may not ignite the powder in large volume rifle cases as reliably or consistently. That can lead to pressure variations between shots (ie poor accuracy), or worse. . .hangfires, which are potentially dangerous.

    In my opinion, these are pretty good reasons not to try this substitution unless absolutely necessary.
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