Hi, I read long ago that the small primer 45ACP works just like the regular large primer ones. Given lately at my range, there are quite some blazer small primer 45ACP brass lying around, so I am wondering if it's a good idea to save a bunch for reloading as it does save a step on changing the primer tubes. Thanks in advance for any advice.
any special consideration for reloading small primer 45ACP?
- Thread starter luckey
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
I prefer to use the large primers and not have different shells .. so far I don't see to many 45's at the range with small primers..
If it's laying around the range grab it. Free brass is free brass. Small primer 45's shoot just fine. Personally I shoot mainly large primer 45s just because I have lots of it.
However, after Sandy Hook and the panic buying that ensued when I got a chance to buy about 700 SP 45 cases cheap I grabbed them reasoning that if another round of panic buying occurred (and it will) if I had SP 45 cases I would still be able to shoot my 45s even if large primers weren't available. Also, I have a couple of 45 GAP pistols and 45 GAP cases are SP so if I got stuck for 45 GAP brass I can always cut down SP 45 ACP cases & use them.
BTW, don't be so quick to dismiss twig_40's comment about getting SP and LP cases mixed together. Unknowingly trying to squash a large primer into a SP case could give you a very unpleasant surprise as in Kaboom!
However, after Sandy Hook and the panic buying that ensued when I got a chance to buy about 700 SP 45 cases cheap I grabbed them reasoning that if another round of panic buying occurred (and it will) if I had SP 45 cases I would still be able to shoot my 45s even if large primers weren't available. Also, I have a couple of 45 GAP pistols and 45 GAP cases are SP so if I got stuck for 45 GAP brass I can always cut down SP 45 ACP cases & use them.
BTW, don't be so quick to dismiss twig_40's comment about getting SP and LP cases mixed together. Unknowingly trying to squash a large primer into a SP case could give you a very unpleasant surprise as in Kaboom!
They are a PITA when the odd small one gets mixed in while priming large primers.
I recently load ammo with both sizes. I chronied and found the small primer load about 20 fps slower. Not a significant difference.
I have two 45w with light hammers that sometimes misfire. I loaded the small primer brass with federal primers and dedicated that ammo to the light hammer guns.
I recently load ammo with both sizes. I chronied and found the small primer load about 20 fps slower. Not a significant difference.
I have two 45w with light hammers that sometimes misfire. I loaded the small primer brass with federal primers and dedicated that ammo to the light hammer guns.
Yup. So is getting a LP case gets in with the SP cases and then you notice all the spilled power on your progressive press. The you have to sort through the batch to find the one with the missing primer. ARGHHH!
- Location
- Lower Mainland, BC
I use SP 45ACP exclusively for my reloading. Saves me from having to swap out the primer magazine/feed assembly on my progressive press. Works fine.
You MUST sort your brass however; getting mismatched primer pocket sizes is a decidedly unfun experience.
You MUST sort your brass however; getting mismatched primer pocket sizes is a decidedly unfun experience.
Great! Thanks everyone for the input. So it looks like it's just business as usual mostly. For the mix large/small, it's always an issue even I don't reload the small one. So, it has bee a habit already(along with other reasons, like military stamped brass etc) to check the pocket before I put them onto the press. it slows down a bit, but it guarantees problem free.
The sole reason I start to think about this now is that in my range for the past a few months, it does turn up around at least 50-100 every other week quite regularly. So, don't want to waste them. and I do like that fact that I don't have to swap the primer tube etc.
The sole reason I start to think about this now is that in my range for the past a few months, it does turn up around at least 50-100 every other week quite regularly. So, don't want to waste them. and I do like that fact that I don't have to swap the primer tube etc.
I bought 1000 rds of 'once' fired from Marstar. It came with a few small primer casings. When I do a reload and encounter a small primer casing, I just put it aside and will do a batch reload. I don't recall of any other additional instructions / precautions with .45 acp and small primers.
Usually the small primers have the "NT" stamped on the head.
Usually the small primers have the "NT" stamped on the head.
- Location
- Lower Mainland, BC
Blazer is 100% small primer now (watch out for range brass, older stuff can be LP). The NT marking I've only seen on Winchester brass myself, but it's not something to reference as a small primer (it means non-toxic, it didn't have a lead primer) although it's fairly safe to say all the NT stuff was small primer.
Yes, none of the Blazer SP brass I've encountered was marked "NT".
