Magnum primers in 38spl

[mike shickele]

Hello
Does anyone know if shooting magnum primers in light 38spl loads is totally conraindicated? I assume that as long as you adjust pressures accordingly (though accuracy may not be the best) that's it's just fine. The loads will be fired in a S&W mod 19, and a Ruger gp100 as practice. I wish to do this so that I can decrease the stock that is needed to be kept on hand.
Mike

 

[Cammy7s]

I have used magnum primers in 9mm quite a lot. I am not sure if this is correct, however, I have had no issues whatsoever. I would be interested to know if this practice is wrong or dangerous in any way as well.

 

[easyrider604]

I use magnum primers for 38 spl, regular, +P and +P+.

I don't notice anything unusual. No extraction problems or flattened primers.

 

[Wolfgang7]

I as well have used magnum primers in 9mm with no issues. In saying that i would also like to know if it's a safe practice!!

 

[joe-nwt]

Come on boys. You all know the rule concerning changing components. Back off and work up again.

On a side note, magnum primers have thicker cups and may not fire reliably in some guns with weaker firing pin hits. Try a small sample of those that you will be using before you buy a large quantity.

 

[shotgun12G]

I ALWAYS use a magnum primer in my light 38 and 357 cowboy loads!
A magnum primer eliminates any flash-over issues with the low powder volume.

 

[tjhaile]

They certainly aren't necessary, but it shouldn't be a problem. I have used magnum primers in .38 Special with no ill effect when I bought some unintentionally.

 

[joe-nwt]

I ALWAYS use a magnum primer in my light 38 and 357 cowboy loads!
A magnum primer eliminates any flash-over issues with the low powder volume.

Care to expand on the flash-over comment?

 

[Boomer]

I believe that is where a small powder charge lying along the side of the case of a horizontally held cartridge allows the primer flame to pass over the powder without igniting it or only partially igniting it, and the pressure from the primer drives the bullet forward into the cylinder gap and effectively ties up the gun. Most fast burning powder is pretty easy to ignite, so I believe the situation is more theoretical than real, but the possibility is enough for me to prefer a magnum primer when I load cast bullets in a rifle cartridge over a small charge of Unique.

 

[sevoman]

I once chronoed 38 super loads that were identical other than one having a std primer and the other having a magnum primer.The magnum primer load averaged about 20fps faster,so not a big difference.

 

[Cowboy Shootist]

I use magnum primers in my .38 and .357 cases for cowboy action shooting. No problems.

 

[anchor3593]

My SW 60 snubbie does not have the smack to light up the magnum primers dependably.

 

[joe-nwt]

I believe that is where a small powder charge lying along the side of the case of a horizontally held cartridge allows the primer flame to pass over the powder without igniting it or only partially igniting it, and the pressure from the primer drives the bullet forward into the cylinder gap and effectively ties up the gun. Most fast burning powder is pretty easy to ignite, so I believe the situation is more theoretical than real, but the possibility is enough for me to prefer a magnum primer when I load cast bullets in a rifle cartridge over a small charge of Unique.

I'm aware of the flash-over theory, just not sure how it pertains to a 38spl cowboy load.