.44-40 blackpowder loads - Magnum primers?

I can not imagine why you would need a magnum primer for black powder. If a #11 percussion cap can set off a load any rifle primer should be more then adequate. Maybe some of the BP substitutes might need a hotter primer, but pyrodex doesn't need much coaxing.
 
With all my BP loads, pistol or rifle, I use the lightest primer that will fit, it stems from some research and testing which shows the primer actually pushing the charge and bullet slightly on ignition, prior to the powder igniting. It was determined that LR Mag. primers were the worst culprit and this testing is ongoing and not conclusive, but over the last few years BP reloaders looking for best accuracy have been going to lighter and lighter primers.
 
I use regular pistol primers with my .44-40 loads as well. My Pyrodex loads in the .45-90 give superlative accuracy only with magnum primers, and that is likely due to Pyrodex being harder to light.
 
ben hunchak said:
With all my BP loads, pistol or rifle, I use the lightest primer that will fit, it stems from some research and testing which shows the primer actually pushing the charge and bullet slightly on ignition, prior to the powder igniting. It was determined that LR Mag. primers were the worst culprit and this testing is ongoing and not conclusive, but over the last few years BP reloaders looking for best accuracy have been going to lighter and lighter primers.
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Interesting, I have been using SP magnums in my .41 Colt rounds, I saw it recommended on a handloads site.

My reloading books state SP regular but a search in google show alot of people using SP magnums in .44-40.
 
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