Large Rifle Primers vs Large Magnum Rifle Primers
- Thread starter Re3iever
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have no experience using true black powder in cartridge cases. When I had a muzzle loading 50 caliber, I used a black powder substitute - Triple 7 - in both pellets and loose powder - and I used various shotgun 209 primers for that - as called for in the Thompson Center manual for that rifle. Looking forward to what information this thread might provide. I suspect that reading up what guys like Mike Venturino or others use in their black powder cartridges might give ideas?
My pure GUESS is that the granulation of the powder, and whether it is true black or a substitute, might or might not matter. And I would doubt those two kinds of primers could be used interchangeably to get same performance - but again, I have no experience at it, so what could I know about it ...
My pure GUESS is that the granulation of the powder, and whether it is true black or a substitute, might or might not matter. And I would doubt those two kinds of primers could be used interchangeably to get same performance - but again, I have no experience at it, so what could I know about it ...
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Mike Venturino recommends using magnum primers, for bp loads. Personally, I have not seen much difference between the two in actual use. Until going to fairly large capacity cases...ie: 45-70, etc. Then, I did notice a bit more consistent ignition. I have since switched over to magnum primers exclusively, for .45-70 hunting loads. The exception being pistol-caliber cartridges, ie: .44-40, .45 Colt, etc. Then, I just go with a standard primer.
I expect that powder granulation may have some influence on the choice, too. Coarser powder granulation requiring a bit more flame to get it going. I also found this to be the case with Pyrodex Cartridge powder. Not so much with RS. Or: Fffg and Ffg. Can't comment about Triple 7 in large rifle cases. Since I primarily use it in pistol caliber loads. Then, a standard primer sets it off just fine.
If you can get your hands on some magnum primers though, you will likely find them to offer the most consistent ignition, overall. But, if standard primers are all you have right now...I would still use them.
Al
ps: Snider Shooter offers sound advice. Much of my experience is similar to his. Your rifle will soon tell you which it prefers.
I expect that powder granulation may have some influence on the choice, too. Coarser powder granulation requiring a bit more flame to get it going. I also found this to be the case with Pyrodex Cartridge powder. Not so much with RS. Or: Fffg and Ffg. Can't comment about Triple 7 in large rifle cases. Since I primarily use it in pistol caliber loads. Then, a standard primer sets it off just fine.
If you can get your hands on some magnum primers though, you will likely find them to offer the most consistent ignition, overall. But, if standard primers are all you have right now...I would still use them.
Al
ps: Snider Shooter offers sound advice. Much of my experience is similar to his. Your rifle will soon tell you which it prefers.
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In my 45-70 I always use magnum primers. In my 38-55 loads where more consistent with CCi benchrest. Larger calibers I find work better with a magnum primer, likely due to the larger amount of powder. I did a lot of experiments with my 577 Snider and found large pistol magnum worked the best , CCI. My 43 Mauser with 2f Goex likes LR magnum. Switch to 3 F and it likes CCI BR primers. My 32-20 likes 3F and regular pistol primers.
Most times you need to experiment and find out what works the best with your load and gun. What works the best for me may not be the best load for you.
I always try the magnum primer first as usually I find they work the best.
Most times you need to experiment and find out what works the best with your load and gun. What works the best for me may not be the best load for you.
I always try the magnum primer first as usually I find they work the best.
I think the biggest difference amongst primers is the thickness or rigidity of the metal in them. Pistol primers are the softest and magnum rifle the stiffest or hardest. You often cannot fire a rifle primer in a revolver because the hammer does not hit hard enough
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I extensively use both interchangeably in any reduced load in either straight walled or bottleneck cartridge and notice no difference as long as they are used in low pressure loadings...I have not noticed a difference in primer wall thickness that makes a magnum primer harder to ignite between the two but there is still the difference in hammer stroke needed for different brands. If you use a significant reduced hammer stroke for a lighter trigger pull a Federal Magnum primer will fire as readily as a standard one will.
At short range you may not see any noticeable differences. At longer ranges it will be more noticeable. If you chrony your rounds you will see the difference in your ES SD numbers between your primers. This can assist your in tightening the size of your groups.
geraldbergeron
Regular
- Location
- Quebec city
Hi
I shoot black powder long range (up to 1,000 yrds) with 45-70 and 45-90 in Shiloh Sharps rifles and Pedersoli rifles.
Those guns love the Pistol match primers, with a newspaper wad inside the case (between the flash hole and the powder) !
Just my 2 cents.
Gerald
I shoot black powder long range (up to 1,000 yrds) with 45-70 and 45-90 in Shiloh Sharps rifles and Pedersoli rifles.
Those guns love the Pistol match primers, with a newspaper wad inside the case (between the flash hole and the powder) !
Just my 2 cents.
Gerald
