Deciding to try magnum primers or not.

[DRNewcomb]

Here's the situation. I have a bunch of old canister-lot ball powders I bought from Pat McDonald (for $2.50-$5/lb) 20 years ago that I'm only now starting to work up loads for. These include BL-C(2), "Special Ball" (~ H380) & WC852 (~H414). As I'm working up loads for 600-1000yd shooting in .223 & .308. How do I decide when I want to try using magnum primers vs standard primers? There are no "loading tables" for these canister powders. Just a general indication to treat them about like some other powder and to be careful.

I don't want to burn up my stock of powder, primers and bullets testing to find out what's the best combination to use for match shooting.

 

[CatShooter]

Here's the situation. I have a bunch of old canister-lot ball powders I bought from Pat McDonald (for $2.50-$5/lb) 20 years ago that I'm only now starting to work up loads for. These include BL-C(2), "Special Ball" (~ H380) & WC852 (~H414). As I'm working up loads for 600-1000yd shooting in .223 & .308. How do I decide when I want to try using magnum primers vs standard primers? There are no "loading tables" for these canister powders. Just a general indication to treat them about like some other powder and to be careful.

I don't want to burn up my stock of powder, primers and bullets testing to find out what's the best combination to use for match shooting.

"Special Ball" & WC852 are NOT canister powders. They are bulk surplus powders.

You can use magnum primers with them. it doesn't take much testing to find out if they work.

 

[DRNewcomb]

"Special Ball" & WC852 are NOT canister powders. They are bulk surplus powders.

You can use magnum primers with them. it doesn't take much testing to find out if they work.

OK. Sorry I got my terms turned around. I thought that "bulk" powder meant one that loaded the same as some other powder by volume. (e.g. Pyrodex)

So I should just dedicate five rounds for each powder to see how they work, backing off a couple grains from my optimal non-magnum-primed load? What would tell me to stick with magnum primers: better SD & ES numbers?

 

[CatShooter]

"Special Ball" & WC852 are NOT canister powders. They are bulk surplus powders.

You can use magnum primers with them. it doesn't take much testing to find out if they work.

OK. Sorry I got my terms turned around. I thought that "bulk" powder meant one that loaded the same as some other powder by volume. (e.g. Pyrodex)

So I should just dedicate five rounds for each powder to see how they work, backing off a couple grains from my optimal non-magnum-primed load? What would tell me to stick with magnum primers: better SD & ES numbers?

Better groups??