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Substituting sm rifle primers for sm pistol primers

pull2pull2 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
Has anyone had any first hand experience with this? I have 4000 Winchester Sm rifle primers (no longer used) that I would like to load in 38 spl or 9mm. I believe the primer cup is harder but is the brisilance(sp?) the same? Do they ignite? Any guidence is appreciated.
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Comments

  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    Why don't you just auction 'em & not take a chance with your safety, or that of others around you when you shoot this "homebrew" stuff?Atleast that way you can give 'em a chance to go to someone who'll use them for what they were designed for.Yes, they may fit & yes, they probably will work (atleast in some handguns, once...) but, why bother with the possible risks? For what, maybe $50-60?
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  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    Why don't you just auction 'em & not take a chance with your safety, or that of others around you when you shoot this "homebrew" stuff?Atleast that way you can give 'em a chance to go to someone who'll use them for what they were designed for.Yes, they may fit & yes, they probably will work (atleast in some handguns, once...) but, why bother with the possible risks? For what, maybe $50-60?
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  • johnshee@alphalink.com.aujohnshee@alphalink.com.au Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have used Winchester small rifle primers for several years in a .357 magnum case without a problem .The reason I use small rifle instead of small pistol is that I fire the rounds from a Rossi .357 rifle with a tube magazine so I am happier with a harder primer to avoid setting off all the rounds in the tube magazine (this combined with flatnose projectiles).I also use the same loads in my single action .357 Ruger Blackhawk without problems .The only time I found a problem is when I ran them through my S+W Model 686. About 1 in 10 bullets would not detonate because the hammer did not hit the primer hard enough.I would probably not use them in a semi-auto because of this but if you are running them through a gun whose hammer hits hard enough ,you should be right.Try a sample batch of say 30 ,for the gun you intend to use them through.If they all detonate the first time ,use them .If they dont ,sell them .Good luck .
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  • lugee00lugee00 Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rifle primers are a bit longer than pistol, they will protrude slightly in a case designed for pistol primers. In a revolver with close tolerance they will often prevent the cylinder from turning.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The experience of the Australian gentleman above notwithstanding, remember the not-so-fine print in the loading manuals about not substituting components? I have to go w/ spclark on this one. You should be able to find another reloader who can use these and put the resulting funds toward the correct item. Do that locally or at a show; shipping requires HazMat fees and a whole lotta paperwork . . . enough headaches to make a shovel & the backyard seem a better choice.
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  • luger01luger01 Member Posts: 230 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    USING RIFLE PRIMERS IN PISTOL ROUNDS IS A VERY DUMB THING TO DO.Just because someone has avoided having their head blown off for several years does not mean that you should try.Winchester has an 800 number. It should be on the box. Call it and ask a technician about this. Call the 800 number from the powder manufacturer whose product you're using. They have technical specialists available for reloading questions.Finally, if you choose to do something that stupid, tell others at the range when you're going to fire the ammo. Give them a chance to leave the area!
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  • rg666rg666 Member Posts: 395 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not a mistake worth dieing over. Primers are cheap. Sell them, give them away, whatever, but don't use them in a pistol round. RG
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  • pull2pull2 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK, thanks for the advice. I realize the stock answer from the ballistic technicians would be "no way" but they are not allowed to suggest expirmentation due to liability issues. I'll bury them in the back yard.
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  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My advice is shoot them in a pistol or trade them.I have probaly fired 15,000.No change in velocity or pressure.cpermd
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  • docddocd Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Shootem up! They are harder;other wise ,no different.
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  • jetjet Member Posts: 543 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ive heard you can use small rifle or small pistol primers in 30 cabine.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've shot them but have had a problem with too light a hammer strike in a S&W Chief Spl and a Charter Arms .44. Ball powders need high brisiance primers like Winchester, magnum or rifle. In some experimental cartridges 15 years ago where pressures ranged between 40 and 75kpsi (crusher method) I believe I found no difference between spm and sr primers but found greatest uniformity in pressure and velocity using Remington bench rest primers. Loading density was in the high 90%s and ball powder was used.
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  • marvhuckermarvhucker Member Posts: 16 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Re: the original query...And we wonder why they want to take away out guns....Marv
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  • pull2pull2 Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Marv, what does asking for practical experience from other shooters about primer substitution have to do with your statement that you wonder why people want to take away guns? (BTW I have an undergraduate in Chemistry, a minor in Physics, I shoot at a range w/o other shooters and I'm shooting 38s in a 357 wheel gun wearing eye and ear protection).To: all fellow members and readersPlease- if you can't add constructive information to postings do not respond
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