Large Rifle Primer vs Large Pistol Primer on .45ACP

[jos11]

I just finish reloading 200 rounds of 45ACP (230 gr and 5.0 of W231) and at the end I find out that I use my Large Rifle Primer on it...
Do you think it is save to shoot them ?
Does any one try Large Rifle Primer instead of Large Pistol primer on 45 ACP ?

 

[RobSmith]

My guess, ignitions temparature may be affected as well as pressure .... Check your brass for pressure signs.

 

[colinjw]

Rifle primers are harder than pistol. You may have a problem igniting them depending upon how hard your firing pin hits.
I would say that you should be okay with them but I would suggest trying a few just one at a time. Put one in the mag, load it, try it & check the brass.

 

[sunray]

As sad as it is, you should pull 'em all. Then either kill the primers with oil or fire 'em and start over. Using the wrong primer isn't safe.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Large pistol primers vs large rifle primers don't vary in temperature any more than primers vary between brands IMO.
I've done it by accident and had no issues, but NOT in an auto loader.
As noted, you may have issues with the firing pin not striking hard enough, about ten percent of mine fired only with a second primer strike.
Please check that the primers do not sit higher than the normal pistol primer when seated, possibly high enough to be dangerous.
We had this discussion several years back on an American forum, and I remember one of the guys measuring primers, and finding one brand of rifle primer that was significantly higher than the pistol primers.

 

[green]

In "Hatcher's Notebook" a Colt 45 Auto is shown that was blown up by using large rifle primers. The rifle primer is much hotter and could cause too rapid combustion.

 

[Fall Guy]

Why don't you fire off an e-mail or call the manufacturer of the primers and see what they say?

They'll probably say no and should also tell you why.

 

[jos11]

Thanks all for your inputs....but I think I will dissemble those rounds to be safe…

 

[Sgt Striker]

I reloaded about 6 rds of 45acp with rifle primers by mistake once, and I only figured it out, when my Glock would not fire them.... just a tiny scratch on the primer...

 

[NormB]

We had this discussion several years back on an American forum, and I remember one of the guys measuring primers, and finding one brand of rifle primer that was significantly higher than the pistol primers.

The SAAMI dimensions for LP primers are indeed shorter then LR primers.

NormB

 

[sevoman]

Ive used rifle primers in my 38 super for years with no problem,and the loads chrono exactly the same with either rifle or pistol primers.You do get higher velocities with pistol magnum primers though.

I think a bigger danger would be a slam fire with a rifle primer sitting high as the slide closes,and the round igniting out of battery

 

[tiriaq]

SR and SP primers have the same dimensions. As NormB has pointed out, LR and LP do not. I would be very concerned about a slam fire if the LR primers were standing slightly proud. I have no idea if pressures would be affected.