Magnum primer in non-mag cartridge

[Curt]

Is there any advantage or conversely, any disadvantage to using magnum rifle primers in place of regular large rifle primers?

 

[Cummins4x4]

Some guys do that for more reliable ignition in cold weather but I have never had a problem with cold weather hangfires. You likely will get higher pressures so work up your loads accordingly.

 

[smak_daddy]

You can do it no problem. I've loaded many magnum primers in .223.

Back your load off and work up again though.

 

[Levi Garrett]

Most use them with ball powder, would go match primers with stick powder if you want a change

 

[Curt]

Hmm. I am going to be working with a 6.5x55AI in a CZ550L action, so plenty strong. Won't be doing any crazy cold shooting, but don't want use up available pressure from a primer, I would rather use more powder to gain velocity with any increase in pressure.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

As said above, it can make a difference, but not always. Best to re-work the load. I've used them in the past with no real noticeable difference, but I don't use max loads much anymore.

 

[blacksmithden]

I switch them back and forth. Never noticed any difference at all.

 

[ben hunchak]

For smokeless loads, I start out with using the recommendations from the manual, including primers used. I only use mag. primers with ball powders, and that is the powder manu. recommendation.

 

[mlehtovaara]

I switch them back and forth. Never noticed any difference at all.

 

[manitou210]

Had a interesting thing happen this fall loading for a 30.06 with RL 17 powder.
I loaded 3 with mag primers and 3 with reg large rifle both where Fed Gold Match primers.same charge in both.
The mag primers showed pressure very flat primers,no bolt stiffness but load was warm.
165gr Noslet BT 2790 & 2808fps did not fire 3 shell was concerned with very flat primers.
The reg primers 2834 & 2839 2841 fps primers where flatning but not near as flat as magnum primers. never saw this before.
manitou
P.S I will never go back to 4350, Rl 17 is faster and more accurate in my gun.

 

[mudbug]

I had asked this same question and one fellow told me it helped with flyers. I use mag primers in my 223 with no problems. I still get the odd flyer but I usually think it's more me than the primer..

 

[Boomer]

To simplify logistics, I pretty much use magnum primers exclusively, and match primers for my target rifle. I keep well ahead of my ammo use, so I never know at what time of year my ammo might be used. Before I moved north, I would choose a magnum primer only if the powder charge exceeded 50 grs, if the temperature was below 0F, or if I was using ball powder. It is pretty much agreed that the least amount of violence from the primer that will reliably ignite the powder charge, results in better accuracy.

Another place where you might find a magnum primer an advantage is if you are shooting cast bullet loads with very small powder charges. The magnum primer might give you better ignition when the powder is not confined against the flash hole. When I load 300 gr cast bullets in the .375s, I load 18 grs of Unique in the Ultra and 16 grs in both the H&H and the Ruger. That leaves lots of air space.

 

[martinbns]

I generally use them with any load over 60 grains.

I started this after solving a couple of troublesome 270's, the magnum primer solved accuracy issues.

 

[mbogo3]

I use them in everything .Many noted gunwriters do too.....Harold

 

[grouch]

They just don't shoot as well for me.
Grouch

 

[tactical870]

I shoot magnums in my 22-250 and I've started using them in my BPCR loads as well with good results.

 

[rdgietz]

I have used regular and magnum pistol primers interchangeably ... Was told there is not difference... decided to check.. so i loaded up 100 round of each ... in 9mm .. 100 with regular primers and 100 with magnum primers.. and then chronyed 10 of each.. There was absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in the AVERAGE velocity of the rounds..

Just for your information

RDG