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45 ACP Primers

I have been re-loading for years, but tonight I ran across a first when I started re-loading 45 ACP for the first time. Different Mfg of cases use different primer sizes. I have Winchester cases that use Large Pistol Primers. Then I have Federal & Fiocchi cases with small primer pockets.
The question now becomes, what primer to use? Small Pistol? Small Rifle? Small Magmum Rifle? I understand that using the rifle and Mag rifle primers would provide a hotter ingfition, but would they require a heavier hammer fall that the Ruger SR 1911 provides? Someone out there has run across this before and worked out the answer, so please porvide. I am planning to load 230 gr cast RNs on top of 6.0 gr Unique. I am looking to achieve a IV in the range of 850 fps. Also, C.O.L.? Thought I read that someone was loading their cast RN a little longer for the Ruger to eliminate feed issues, but don't remember what he recommended for C.O.L.
Took the Ruger to the ragne last Sat. I hadn't fired a 1911 since my Navy days 40 yrs ago. Fist 5 grouped at 7 yrds was 1 1/2" with 4 in the 10 & 1 in the 9 ring. This old half blind bi-focaled guy was very happy that I could hold all the blurry sights in line that good.

Comments

  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Use regular small pistol primers.
    It will cost you 25-40 fps which is not much.
  • ToolfogieToolfogie Member Posts: 1,254 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by The Old Salt
    I have been re-loading for years, but tonight I ran across a first when I started re-loading 45 ACP for the first time. Different Mfg of cases use different primer sizes. I have Winchester cases that use Large Pistol Primers. Then I have Federal & Fiocchi cases with small primer pockets.
    The question now becomes, what primer to use? Small Pistol? Small Rifle? Small Magmum Rifle? I understand that using the rifle and Mag rifle primers would provide a hotter ingfition, but would they require a heavier hammer fall that the Ruger SR 1911 provides? Someone out there has run across this before and worked out the answer, so please porvide. I am planning to load 230 gr cast RNs on top of 6.0 gr Unique. I am looking to achieve a IV in the range of 850 fps. Also, C.O.L.? Thought I read that someone was loading their cast RN a little longer for the Ruger to eliminate feed issues, but don't remember what he recommended for C.O.L.
    Took the Ruger to the ragne last Sat. I hadn't fired a 1911 since my Navy days 40 yrs ago. Fist 5 grouped at 7 yrds was 1 1/2" with 4 in the 10 & 1 in the 9 ring. This old half blind bi-focaled guy was very happy that I could hold all the blurry sights in line that good.

    If you're pudgy and mostly bald, you could be my twin brother.[:I]

    I ran into the same thing with the primers, so I went with all small primer brass (bought on the auction side) because I already had small pistol primers for my 357. You can also use small pistol magnum primers and get your fps back up. I even traded some brass with another forum member,latge primer for small primer. Sure beat tossing them out. Happy shooting.
  • The Old SaltThe Old Salt Member Posts: 94 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info guys. Gave me a couple ideas. If I go to all small primers, and use the small mag pistol primers, I could reduce the kinds of primers I stock. This is tthe only firearm I have that uses large pistol primers. The mag primers could be used for my 9mm, 38 SP, 357 & 45 ACP.
    Has anyone tried the small rifle mag primers? Measured them with a caliper and they would fit in a small pistol primer well, but would you have sufficient hammer fall to ignite them? Would you have to adjust your loads because they were hotter?
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I shot some small rifle primers in 9mm during the 2009 Obama panic and shortages with zero misfires.

    I do not see the advantage to a small rifle magnum primer. Federal used to recommend their small rifle standard primer for .357 magnum before they came out with magnum pistol primers.
  • kms1961kms1961 Member Posts: 391 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the best i found out was they was brought out in the non toxic loads.
    most i have seen are federal. and blazer brass loads which i believe is federal. oh as a side note toolfogie the brass did arrive. if i find more sp i'll send it your way.
    Kevin
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,440 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Stick with small pistol standard primers. The 1911 doesn't have a lot of extra hammer force, and rifle primers - especially magnum ones - have much thicker cups. You could run into a lot of misfires.

    It's also ballistically a bad idea. There's no free lunch in reloading. A primer that's too hot doesn't give you only more velocity. It will also give you premature bullet movement, altered powder burn and increased pressure, none of which will help accuracy or gun function. It has long been known that the mildest primer often gives the best accuracy, and the smaller the case volume the more true that becomes.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • The Old SaltThe Old Salt Member Posts: 94 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kinda confirmed some of my own thoughts. Had not thought of the early bulet movement, but sounds feasible. I have a few small pistol and small mag pistol. May try some of each and chrono them. Thanks for all the info everyone.
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Stick with the small pistol primers.
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