.45ACP ammo primers (large or small) is there a difference?

[Hihi962]

So far I've only pounded out .45 ammo with Large primers...is there any negative to buying ammo with small primers? More fails, burning issues, or reloading concerns possibly?

Thanks.

 

[Smcx]

I'm guessing it's simply that you'll have to keep them separate for reloading.

 

[twig_40]

No issues with the small primers, just a pain if you are reloading and you mix the small with the large. Stops things very quickly!!!

 

[LUTNIT]

With factory loaded ammo, brass is most likely decided to use small or large primers based on how much it will cost the company to manufacture the ammo. Retooling, overflow of a certain size, production costs, etc. would all be taken into account.
If one was worse than the other, people would stop using them, and manufacturers would reduce or stop making them.

You can find this in some rifle brass too. 7.62x39 brass cased ammo for example can be found with both small and large rifle primers.

 

[Frigoman]

Some prefer the small primer 45 because they don't have to change their priming system from small to large when you reload multi calibers on a progressive press + only one primer to carry. Personally I prefer large primer 45, I find it seats better. Both work, I've reloaded both ways. One advantage is that with small rifle primers you could potentially reload everything pistol from 9mm to 45ACP (small primer) and 223, less inventory...if not one goes nuts between LP reg, LP magnum, SP reg, SP magnum, SR, LR reg, LR magnum, not to mention Benchrest grade and shotgun primers...not sure I got all the nomenclature right but you get my drift.

 

[shatthatkilledelvis]

I use, and reload sp 45acp for reasons noted and have never had an issue.

 

[saskcop]

I think other than the cases that use the small primers are a pain in the butt when they get mixed in with the others when you are reloading, there is no other problem with them.

 

[Hihi962]

Alright thanks, i figured as much, like it was stated earlier, if it didn't work, they wouldn't make them i guess.

 

[Fox]

Rifle and pistol primers can have different thicknesses, I would not reload pistols with rifle primers until I verified the depth each is seated. You do not want a primer sittig proud of the head and causing an issue.