Primers: types and sellers

[summerside sniper]

Ok, I'm going to be loading for 30-06, 303 Brit, 9mm, 223, 8mm Mauser, and finally 7.62x54R.

The problem I am facing is that there seems to be lots of different types of primers out there and I don't know what I need to buy aside from needing rifle and pistol primers. How do you know what primers to buy for what rifle/pistol caliber? And finally where in Canada can you buy primers?

 

[Gatehouse]

You need large rifle, small rifle and large pistol primers.

Primers are sold at gun stores.

 

[mojoman]

9mm takes small pistol primers

 

[sunray]

Your manual will tell you what primer to use. The make really doesn't matter.
As mentioned, you need small pistol for the 9mm. Small rifle for the .223. Do not mix those two. The rest use a large rifle primer.
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading and read it.

 

[summerside sniper]

You need large rifle, small rifle and large pistol primers.

Primers are sold at gun stores.

9mm takes small pistol primers

Ok, this is what I'm talking about. How/why do you believe Gatehouse that 9mm is a large pistol primer, and the same to Mojoman for small pistol primer? Is there a standard, I.E. if its below x size, its a small primer (for both rifle and pistol). This is where my confusion lies (lyes ?spelling?). Which one is right here?

 

[SandRoad]

Ok, this is what I'm talking about. How/why do you believe Gatehouse that 9mm is a large pistol primer, and the same to Mojoman for small pistol primer? Is there a standard, I.E. if its below x size, its a small primer (for both rifle and pistol). This is where my confusion lies (lyes ?spelling?). Which one is right here?

There are generally accepted primer sizes for various cartridges and generally follow the size of the cartridge. If in doubt, check your reloading manual.

Occasionally different manufacturers will produce some rounds with the "other" size. An example is some 7.62x39 cases are large rifle and some small rifle.

Another is 45 ACP which all large pistol, EXCEPT for Winchester Winclean brand, which is small primer (cases are marked NT)

9mm is ALL small pistol.

Note that when you are loading there are SOME cartridges that use Berdan primers and these can't be punched out using standard reloading dies. Just consider that brass unloadable. Most European millitary surplus ammo is Berdan primed. (If you look inside a cartridge case Berdan has 2 little holes instead on one hole in the centre) This includes lots of 303, 8mm, and 7.62x54R. Berdan and Boxer primers are not interchangeable. All the primers that you see in Canada and US are Boxer, Berdan primers are very difficult to find.

 

[sunray]

"...Is there a standard..." Yes and no. In most cases, small cartridges use the small size. Larger cases the large size. The difference between large and small is evident just by looking. However, you can't tell the difference between large/small rifle and large/small pistol just by looking.
Winchester threw a wrench in the works with their NT .45 ACP cartridges. They use a small primer that isn't quite a small pistol. It uses a toxin free priming compound and has a larger primer hole in the case. Until you get a .45, don't worry about them. They're clearly marked 'WIN NT' on the case head anyway.
Your manual will tell you what primer to use.
For the cartridges you asked about, you don't need large pistol primers.