Help with 44 Magnum primer selection

[Daddymac]

Looking for advice or rule of thumb guidelines for primer selection on 44 Remington mag.

I use my manuals religiously when loading a round for the first time, I will look first at the data from the bullet manufacturer and also cross reference with other manuals just for a wider view. I noticed the other day while looking through 44 mag data that one source would list a standard primer and another source a magnum primer for the same powder/bullet combination.

I understand that primers make a difference, so what is the safe play when choosing a primer in this situation, what is more dangerous too much primer or not enough? My thinking is the potential for bad things would be higher with too little primer.

Looking to grow a little, help me out.

Thanks.

 

[pirate ammo]

All I've used in 44 mag is large pistol period. We load with 19.5GR H-110 and a Nosler 300GR jacketed
hollow points, bear killers.

 

[SSL]

Depends on your powder. 296 and H110 usually recommend magnum primers. Alliant has recommended only standard primers for 2400 for years. I mostly just split the difference and use Winchester primers. They are rated for both standard and magnum loads. Never had a problem.

 

[pirate ammo]

. I mostly just split the difference and use Winchester primers. They are rated for both standard and magnum loads. Never had a problem.

That is correct, even says so on that pwetty blue box

 

[LeeA]

What powders will you be using?

 

[Daddymac]

Depends on your powder. 296 and H110 usually recommend magnum primers. Alliant has recommended only standard primers for 2400 for years. I mostly just split the difference and use Winchester primers. They are rated for both standard and magnum loads. Never had a problem.

WLP’s must be “magnum” primers, looking over the data again this morning I noticed that the sources that did not designate standard or magnum called for the WLP. Sources that did note magnum primer usage, the Speer manual in particular, would note the use of CCI 350 magnum on some loads.

My confusion was because I did not realize WLP’s were listed as standard or magnum.

Thanks to you and pirate for your input.

 

[watercam]

FWIW my testing with Win. LP against CCI and Federal Magnum primers gave me more velocity with the same charge of H110/296 powders with the true magnum primers. The Winchesters are hotter than standard but not fully magnum charged.

 

[servant403]

Agree with the advice everyone gave about matching primer to powder. I use magnum primers for my .44 mag when I load with H110, AA11FS, AA9, AA4100, And Winchester either primers for light loads using Unique, Universal, Titegroup etc. I have used the Winchester with 2400 for heavy loads.

 

[Twicepop]

Just a precautionary FYI for all of you using Winchester primers in their .44 Magnums. At the Ultimate Reloader web site there is a story about primer failures with a .44 Magnum using Winchester primers. A few pages after the lead story there is follow up giving the explanation about the failures.

 

[biggun2869]

I have reloaded since the early '70s and I have never had a problem using them universaly. In other words what ever was on hand. My go to powder for jacketed in 44s is 2400. BUT my loads are always under the max. For truly mag loads I have used (and have on hand) both w296 and H110.
Basicly-just start low and work up with whatever you have. Gary

 

[wagonman]

I never experienced any problems using winchester LP primers in 44 mag using their 296 powder for full power loads, I would think they use the same primer and non canister grade 296 powder for their full power factory 44mag loads. I also use the same primer for 45acp, 44slp, 45lC since the early 80s, it works for me.