Large Pistol Primers Vs. Large Rifle

[LawrenceN]

Has anyone ever deliberately or unintentionally used large pistol primers in rifle cases and if so, how did it work out for you?

 

[Deathrawt]

The cup depth is shallower on one of them, large pistol I think?
So if you used a large rifle primer in a pistol case it wouldn’t seat as deep
I remember reading something about it somewhere

 

[struff55]

one is for pistol one is for rifle the burning rate is totally different one ignites large amount of powder 40to 70 grains of power fee and one 14-20 grains how would they interchange

 

[yukonshooter]

I’ve used magnum large pistol primers in a 45-70 contender carbine with great results. Have played with it in several 30-30 rifles and a few more 45-70 rifles and all worked very well.

 

[porpoise]

Used them in 30 30 large magnum pistol worked good

 

[oldiron59]

I use large magnum pistol in my 30 30 they work perfect. I can't tell the differance in accuracy

 

[fiftycalforsquirrels]

A small pistol magnum is allegedly similar to a small rifle standard and dimensionally the same.

I think deathrawt is onto it... I have read the same thing. I have all the large primer variations but havent ever looked at them side by side. Maybe I'll pull em out and take a pic. I think I was reading about it in regards to using a primer pocket reamer that the pistol and rifle large primers do not interchange in depth.

 

[stubblejumper]

Large rifle primers have thicker cups, to withstand higher pressures. Using a pistol primer in a high pressure rifle cartridge can result in a ruptured primer, which can damage the bolt face.

 

[mephisto002]

Large pistol primers work great in reduced rifle loads, I loaded literally thousands of rounds.
But for full power load I would exclusively use large rifle primers.

In my experience Magnum Large Pistol Primers burn hotter than most large Rifle Primers, so the ignition is not the problem, but the metal thickness of the primer cup might be an issue.
A couple weeks ago I discovered, that the firing pin from my Pedersoli Rolling Block in 45/70, perforates (I might have used Federal, which are quite soft) the Large Pistol Primers, while it never perforates Large Rifle Primers.

For all my reduced loads in

• 30-30
• 308
• 303
• 7.5 Swiss
• 7.63 Arg.
• 30-06
• 45/70

I use or used Large Pistol (magnum) primers with great success.
S&B Large pistol primers worked best for me.

 

[45C]

I think S&B is labeled for Large pistol and large rifle stamped on the box

 

[saskgunowner101]

Has anyone ever deliberately or unintentionally used large pistol primers in rifle cases and if so, how did it work out for you?

I've done it lots with reduced pressure cast loads with absolutely no worries.

Much as we all love our favorite cartridges, they are not sentient beings or anything special compared to one another. They are simply a cylinder that makes pressure and squirts a bullet out. The primer doesn't care if it's in a rifle or a pistol, only that it doesn't see more pressure than it was designed for.

 

[LawrenceN]

Thank you all! I've been reloading for years and just a few minutes of inattention and I ended up doing a bonehead move like using the wrong primers! I'd loaded up 2 boxes before I discovered my stupidity and tried to find the best way to remedy the situation. I broke down and bought the collet type bullet puller from RCBS. It was one of the best investments I've ever made! The thing is totally kickass!