Primer question

[H4831]

I have not reloaded for the Marlin 444, yet. In the 44 mag I use the large pistol primer, have loaded thousands for the Ruger Blackhawk. Since the 44 mag rifle is loaded to the same pressures, I also use large pistol primers for it.
The 444 is loaded to the same maximum pressure, about 40,000 pounds, so I presume the large pistol primer is OK for that, also.
Could some of you pros comment on this?
My reason for asking is that I have quite a supply of large pistol primers, as compared to my stock of large rifle primers.

 

[Gibbs505]

I am not sure of this, but seeing that the 444 is a rifle cartridge, should you not be using rifle primers? I understand that the handgun primers are much softer and could be pierced but the rifle's fireing pin.

 

[Silverback]

Also large pistol primers are a bit shorter than large rifle primers, they are not the same height like small pistol and small rifle are. I would use the large rifle primers.

 

[t-star]

not only that but the cups themselves are softer on the pistol primers than on rifle- possible pierced primers from an over-ambitious firing pin- making you think you've got an over-pressure load when you really don't

 

[chappy]

good question. i load my 30 30 with win large handgun primers and the acuracy is great. i use fed 210 match in my 444. the 30 30 is a lower pressure round. i'm thinking it would work fine. my buddy and i have fired thousands of 30 30 with the pistol primers without problem. the pistol primer is a little shorter but ignition is 100%. both rounds use quick powder and doesn't require a lot to ignite it.

 

[Silverback]

good question. i load my 30 30 with win large handgun primers and the acuracy is great. i use fed 210 match in my 444. the 30 30 is a lower pressure round. i'm thinking it would work fine. my buddy and i have fired thousands of 30 30 with the pistol primers without problem. the pistol primer is a little shorter but ignition is 100%. both rounds use quick powder and doesn't require a lot to ignite it.

Why do you do this? The cost is about the same for both types of primers, why not use the right ones?

 

[chappy]

the accurcy is much better with the milder primers. its not a matter of cost. i have tried this in two different marlins with the same results. as i said i haven't tried it in the 444 but it may have the same results. the accuracy in my 444 is very good with the 210 match primers so i haven't bothered. i often try different primers when working up loads for differnt rifles. i wouldn't use pistol primers in a bolt gun or with higher pressure rounds. lever gun firing pins don't seem the hit as hard as bolt guns so sometimes the softer primer works better.

 

[H4831]

Thanks Chappy, very good information. We have used the pistol primers in the 44 mag Marlin rifle as well as the 44 mag Ruger auto rifle. As a matter of fact, we use the identical loads, be it revolver or rifle. I too, doubt if these rifles hit the primer any harder than the Ruger Blackhawk does and there has never been the slightest trouble.

 

[Boomer]

I agree that milder primers result in better accuracy, but the strength of the primer must be consistent with the powder type and charge and with the case volume. Because the .444 typically uses 30 -50 grs of powder, I would use a large rifle primer, and when powder charges exceeded 50 grs I would experiment to see if the velocity was more consistent with a standard or magnum primer. As a rule I switch to a magnum primer when powder capacity exceeds 50 grs. I think pistol primers - even magnum pistol primers are at their limit with 25 gr powder charges in cartridges an inch and a half long.