Using SP Primers inplace of SR Primers?

jbmoose

Since reasonably priced primers are no where to be found[xx(], what are the consequences of substituting primers? I can't find any small rifle primers[:(!] but I have about 1,000 small pistol primers[:D]. I need to reload some .223 Rem. What would happen if I used SP instead of SR Primers?[?] I would only use those rounds for plinking.

bpost

NO...... NEVER

A small pistol primer has a softer and possibly a thinner cup and is designed to hold a lot less pressure that a rifle primer.

The rifle can generate over 60,000 pounds of pressure, a pistol primer is designed to hold no more than about 35,000.

I have substituted small rifle for small pistol in some revolver loads but due to the harder cup most semi-autos will not hit them hard enough to fire them.

MIKE WISKEY

the s.p. have thinner cups, you will get signs of high pressure and maybe a pierced primer if you load to normal .223 pressures.

Wulfmann

While the above is good advise I have actually tried that and had no problem with 200 rounds.

That said research SP primers.
I would not use Federal as they are softer but CCI is known to be hard to the point some people do not like them in their SP loads and so I used CCI for my test and again no problems.
My load was near but slightly under factory.

Getting proper data is important when you decide to step out of the box. Things can become dangerous quickly and caution is advised and unless you can get the data I would only consider trying this with CCI SP and at start loads before you work up and I would also suggest you do not come within a gr on max loads (and in the case of military cases remember to adjust the extra down because of thicker brass, smaller capacity ergo higher pressure)

Note, I am not recommending you do this but am relaying that I did myself but without recommendation you do so.

Wulfmann