Magnum Primers in the Whelen??

DIGGER2

DIGGER2

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Hello all, I have just started loading for my 35 Whelen. I have one question though, why is it that some recipes call for magnum primers?? This is not a magnum cartridge so why do they use them? For example I have a recipe from the Alliant site that shows a charge of 59.5gr of RL15 for a 250gr Hornady bullet and a Rem 9.5 M primer. I have reloaded for a little while now but just used LR primers (Fed 210) on my non-mag calibers and Mag primers like Fed 215 for my 7MM mag. Could someone just shed some light on why they do this for the 35 Whelen please. Thanks....Scott
 
Depending on the type of powder and the charge amount some companies suggest magnum primers. I have used magnum primers with loads that were shown in the manuals as developed with regular primers by reducing the loads and working up from there. I also know several people who use magnum primers for extreme cold weather loads or for use with ball type powders. Your best bet is to follow the manuals recommendations, they spent lots of time developing the data and got the best results with the specified primer.
 
Magnum primers have a bit more compound in them that gives a better ignition on harder to ignite or larger volumes of powders. The reloading manuals are based on tests done on different loads hence they find for some powder/bullet combinations they get better ( more consistent) ignition using them. I use magnum primers in loads I know will be used at low temperatures as I seem to get better results than with standard primers. If you go to magnum primer from a standard primer it is best to reduce the load a bit and work it up as when you change any component.
 
I have used Rem 9.5 mag primers in my 35 Whelen with a heavy dose of 4320 for years.
In cold weather I think the mag.is the way to go.
 
Thanks everyone for the response's. I knew that the mag primers burnt hotter I just didn't know if using a mag primer in a non-mag cartridge was something that was done on a regular basis or what the reasoning was, but apparently it is used a lot more than I thought. I guess you learn something new everyday.:D Thanks again...Scott
 
DIGGER2 said:
Thanks everyone for the response's. I knew that the mag primers burnt hotter I just didn't know if using a mag primer in a non-mag cartridge was something that was done on a regular basis or what the reasoning was, but apparently it is used a lot more than I thought. I guess you learn something new everyday.:D Thanks again...Scott
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It's less about the cartridge and more about the powder being ignited. Spherical (ball) powders do well with magnum primers.
 
I have a theory that the magnum primers work a little better because the Whelen case has very little shoulder and if a standard primer is used some unburnt powder may start to move down the barrel before optimum ignition conditions are met. I know for sure that Remington factory loads use their 9-1/2M and IMR powder recommends the Remington magnum primer as well. I have experimented with a couple of Whelens, but could not see much difference either way. It must be a minor point. I only use magnum primers in mine when using ball powders.
 
DIGGER2 said:
Thanks everyone for the response's. I knew that the mag primers burnt hotter I just didn't know if using a mag primer in a non-mag cartridge was something that was done on a regular basis or what the reasoning was, but apparently it is used a lot more than I thought. I guess you learn something new everyday.:D Thanks again...Scott
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There is also a wide variation in the brisance of primers among the different manufactures. For example a Federal or Winchester Large rifle magnum primer is a fair bit "hotter" than the Remington LR magnum primer. In fact the Winchester standard LR primer is nearly as "hot" as Remington's LR magnum.
 
"...mag primer in a non-mag cartridge..." It has nothing to do with the cartridge name. Just the powder.
Magnum primers burn a bit hotter for a bit longer. They're for lighting hard to ignite powders and cold weather shooting. The cartridge doesn't matter.
 
Thanks to everyone that responded to my question. It's good to know that there's a place a newbie re-loader can come a get answers from experienced re-loaders, I appreciate that. That's why CGN is my favorite places to hang out it is full of useful info. Thanks again......Scott
 
I've used Winchester magnum primers for years in my 35Whelens. A month ago I just bought a 1000 Fed LR Magnum match to try too. I prefer to use the magnum flavour but regular LR primers work just fine too.
 
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