IDing unknown primers?

[MauserMike]

I took a break from reloading for a few years but getting my bench set back up.

I've got some small size primers left in the tool and I'm unsure whether they are rifle or pistol. Is there any easy way to tell? They would be Winchester that's all I've used up to this point.

If not, do guys not use small rifle primers in some pistol loads? Just how much more oomph do the rifle primers have? I was thinking I could safety use them in low power .38SPL wadcutter loads with plenty of safety margin if the primers were hot.

 

[stampede]

Primers are cheap. Chuck them.

Safety aside, you will never know for sure what you are shooting, which will screw up any load development you are doing.

 

[Chrossphyre]

First rule of reloading: If in doubt, throw it out.

 

[Ganderite]

Use them. Unless you are loading absolute max, it won't make any difference.

If some of them have to be struck twice you will know they are rifle primers.

 

[supernova]

Bite down on one. If you get a little pop, pistol. Lip hanging by a piece of skin, rifle.

 

[Alpheus]

JESUS! Just post the link next time!

 

[stampede]

Or run over them with the casters of your reloading chair ?

 

[Spawn-Inc]

load them for medium pistol loads, best case they are pistol worst they are pistol and still work but as ganderite said they might be take 2 strikes to go off.

On a side note i tried looking for what the hell happened to that guy and found alot of other messed up pictures... sweet dreams for me!

 

[zuke]

Sound like plinking primer's to me