mag primers or standard

brybenn

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Hey all. I'm loading for my 458 wm in ww brass 72 grs of H4895 and rem bulk 405 gr bullets at 2350 fps. A nice plinking load. However I'm still using wlr primers. Never had an issue. Should I make the switch to a magnum primer for my plinking loads?
 
If you are happy with how it's working for you why not leave it alone?

If you change to a mag primer you have to start your load development all over again - unless you don't mind doing that.
 
Mag primers are not needed for 4895, and WLR are plenty hot already for regular primers.
Mag primers work well with slow powders and ball powders to get reliable consistent ignition.
 
WLR primers are fairly hot as it is and if they are working they are working. Still, you're close to the starting load so if you wanted to try some magnums just for hellery you've got nothing to lose. They might just work better, or worse, or you may not notice any difference at all.

One thing though, you'd be hard pressed to find a loading manual listing anything other than magnum primers on magnum cartridges. Since they are ones with the pressure trace equipment its tempting to follow their lead.
 
I had limited time and components when I first got the gun before a bear hunt. I took the starting load and used what I had. First 5 rounds loaded made a 1.1" hole in my target at 75 yards. Edge to edge. I stayed there. I didn't want to push the rem bulk bullets to fast and the accuracy was as good as I can shoot. I took a 175 lb black bear with this load at about 6' from the muzzle. Resulting exit wound was graphic
145 rounds later I've had no issues except friends blood on my scope.
I don't find the recoil bad at all with this load. Other shooters tend to disagree
Now that more bullets are starting to show up ill play around with weights from 350-500 gr when suitable powder comes up. Was just wondering what other re loaders thought
 
Mag primers are about the powder used. The cartridge name has nothing to do with it. Hodgdon does show all their site's loads using 'em though. Isn't necessary though.
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I tend to agree with this philosophy. Except with primers.

The problem with primers is that we cannot see how close we are to failure. A boang from a solid ignition vbs the bang froma round that almost did not ignite is about the same.

When we get into a hunting situation where some of the variables stack up against us (ammo left out side in the cold; hunting shot on a very cold day) the result can be a disaster. Maybe even death.

I have documented several situations where ignition was on the cusp. Each case (for me) was ball powder, light bullet and medium or less powder charge.

To he OP I would say - 4895 is easy to ignite and the Winchester primer is a hot one. Don't change a thing.

If he was using a very slow powder, I would say - switch to a magnum primer, for the guarantee.
 
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