Do I need magnum primers

[Poconolg]

I am reloading 357mag with 125gr Extreme bullets. I am using 9.1 of Herco or 8.6 BE-86. Both loads shoot great. I have been using small pistol magnum primers for both of these loads. Is a magnum primer needed for these loads?

 

[357Mag]

Poco -

Howdy !

IMHO.... yes, as Alliant says the powder is " Great for Magnum handguns ".

Further down in Alliant's description, they mention Herco is suitable for secondary use in
" heavy handgun loads ".


With regards,
357Mag

 

[markm87]

Depends on the primer. I wouldn't hesitate to try standard pistol primers. I've always ran Win SP in 357 mag loads.

 

[CJ6]

From +P loads in 38 special to 357 magnum loads I've always used magnum primers. Most books call for this and I never tried standard in those loads. Never pierced a primer either.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Only powders I consider requiring mag primers W296 and H110, 2400 if using a near max load.. Unique, Herco etc can work fine with a standard primer. A heavy load in cold weather of these could benefit from a mag primer.The fast stuff, Bullseye, Red Dot etc work great with a reg primer. Other brands of powder have slow, medium and fast powders also so determine the powder speed and prime accordingly.

Frank

 

[Rickhem]

Are you shooting these loads single action? Would small rifle primers work?
The small primers are the same dimensions, but the rifle primers have a bit thicker cups for the increased pressure. The guys loading hot .38 Super or 9mm variants for Major power factor have used rifle primers in their loads for years, maybe decades. I honestly don't know if there is a bigger or hotter spark in rifle primers. I'm hoping someone reading this might know.

 

[6.5 forever]

I on the other hand use Magnum primers for everything. Adjust loads accordingly.