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Headstamp: S&W 500; R instead of LR ... WTH?
zipperzap
Member Posts: 25,057
We've run across an unusual lot of brass - good S&W 500 brass that does not have the LR stamp on the headstamp. It's got just an 'R' - never seen this before. We'd like to reload it up ASAP but aren't quite sure about which primers to use.
I found this description of the headstamping with 'LR' in use.
Anyone know about the 'R'?
Here's the excerpt:
quote:First, only use magnum primers if the load calls for it.
Primarily, a small rifle primer just needs a harder hit and you might get some misfires in a pistol . I am also told the "juice" in a pistol primer is a slight bit hotter than a small rifle primer, but have never been able to get it confirmed. This info is for SMALL PISTOL primers ONLY.
LARGE rifle and pistol primers are another matter. The Rifle primer is deeper than the pistol, so they are NOT interchangable. This has been recently brought to light with the S&W 500 Magnum pistol. Originally, the cases used large pistol primers. It was determined they were not the best for this brute of a load, so the official primer now is LARGE RIFLE. If you have some of the original Hodgdon and other cases made for large pistol, the rifle primers will not seat in all the way and a protrusion will stick out of the back of the case. This is not a safe condition. If you try force to make it even, that may work, but still a bad idea. All the newly made cases shoud have a "LR" on the headstamp meaning these are for LARGE RIFLE ONLY. Ones without this are most likely made for Large Pistol. If you use the pistol primer in a rifle case (including the new .500 cases) it will seat too deeply and misfires could certainly result from this condition.
http://www.reloadammo.com/rel-faq4.htm
What's your take - if any - on the lone 'R' stamp?
I found this description of the headstamping with 'LR' in use.
Anyone know about the 'R'?
Here's the excerpt:
quote:First, only use magnum primers if the load calls for it.
Primarily, a small rifle primer just needs a harder hit and you might get some misfires in a pistol . I am also told the "juice" in a pistol primer is a slight bit hotter than a small rifle primer, but have never been able to get it confirmed. This info is for SMALL PISTOL primers ONLY.
LARGE rifle and pistol primers are another matter. The Rifle primer is deeper than the pistol, so they are NOT interchangable. This has been recently brought to light with the S&W 500 Magnum pistol. Originally, the cases used large pistol primers. It was determined they were not the best for this brute of a load, so the official primer now is LARGE RIFLE. If you have some of the original Hodgdon and other cases made for large pistol, the rifle primers will not seat in all the way and a protrusion will stick out of the back of the case. This is not a safe condition. If you try force to make it even, that may work, but still a bad idea. All the newly made cases shoud have a "LR" on the headstamp meaning these are for LARGE RIFLE ONLY. Ones without this are most likely made for Large Pistol. If you use the pistol primer in a rifle case (including the new .500 cases) it will seat too deeply and misfires could certainly result from this condition.
http://www.reloadammo.com/rel-faq4.htm
What's your take - if any - on the lone 'R' stamp?
Comments
Same goes for CBC brass. If there is an "R" it takes rifle primers. If there is no "R" on the headstamp it takes pistol primers.
One thing to keep in mind too is that ALL Winchester head stamped brass take rifle primers. Even though they did not mark their head stamp with an "R".[^]
I know this so well because I just researched this yesterday. I can scan and send the article to anyone if they wish.
PS: It appears the quote of the FAQ in the first post is out of date.
You guys are good!
Thanks!
[:D]