Use of small pistol magnum primers in place of standard small pistol primers

[gene pool]

Gentlemen,

I realize this is a forum for precision rifle shooters, of which I am one, but I have a question regarding reloading pistol ammo. If it is out of place, please let me know and I will delete the post.

I am reloading 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 9mm Luger and 38 special. I am short on regular small pistol primers, but have a very large stock of small pistol magnum primers (Federal) which I would like to use.

So my question is, how much should I reduce the powder charges to compensate for the magnum primers?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Gene Pool

 

[areaone]

I would start on the LOW end of any load information. Work up but with caution, probably more careful in the smaller calibers with the faster burning powder.

 

[gene pool]

I would start on the LOW end of any load information. Work up but with caution, probably more careful in the smaller calibers with the faster burning powder.

Thank you for your reply. I have loaded a few 9mm's with 100 gr. Hornady FMJ bullets over 5.0 gr. Bullseye, with small pistol magnum primers. They will be fired in a Glock 26 pistol. This charge is not on the low end per my Hornady manual, but it's not on the high end either. Would anyone care to comment on the load?

Thank you in advance,
Gene Pool

 

[dan06]

You better check to make sure that they will actually fire reliably in all the guns you want to shoot them in before you load a bunch, Mag primers usually have a little thicker-harder cup and sometimes do not like to go off as easy as some of the standard primers. IMHO

 

[gene pool]

Some questions:

What is the difference between standard and magnum primers considered to be in grains of Bullseye powder?

What powder charge do you consider to be dangerous using standard primers?

I would appreciate your comments even if they are subjective. Personally, I consider the maximum charge printed in the manual to be approaching dangerous.

Thank you,
Gene Pool

 

[gene pool]

You better check to make sure that they will actually fire reliably in all the guns you want to shoot them in before you load a bunch, Mag primers usually have a little thicker-harder cup and sometimes do not like to go off as easy as some of the standard primers. IMHO

Dear dan06,
Thank you for your reply. I will fire these rounds in a Glock pistol. As I understand, Glocks like "stiff" loads to cycle well. All the test loads using magnum primers thus far have detonated OK in the Glock.

Gene Pool

 

[K22]

Using magnum primers with extremely fast powders like Bulleye is not a good idea but don't take my word for it, call Sierra or Hornady's help lines.

Magnum primers are intended for large charges of slow burning powders such as 296 and H110.

 

[swed6.5]

The best advise is to load with proper components, anything else is ill advised advice and should be delt with as test ammo and not be distributed to any other parties, sorry to be negative but if your mind is made up than enjoy the ride

 

[Tom Bear]

Swede is correct Gene, but I have loaded mag primers and bullseye in 9mm corto, 9mm luger and 38 spl. but never exceeded 80% max load for each with no problems (flat primers, etc.) for years. Sometimes we find ourselves with only mag primers and all LGS are out and we don't want to pay idiot Hazmat fee.