Small pistol primers vs small rifle primers

[HeavyT]

I've just started reloading, purchased a family friends entire setup, with a gaggle of gear and supplies. Want to bounce something off you gunnutters. I realized that small rifle and small pistol primers at least appear to be the same size. What are anyone's thoughts on the compatibility of small pistol, and small rifle primers, particularily using small pistol primers in rifle cartridges?
Thanks, Tom

 

[hk33ka1]

I would say as a new reloader no don't use them in a different application or change stuff around. As you gain more experience you might see that some manual rules are bent a little or broken.


That said some people do use small RIFLE primers in some hot handgun loading. Pistol primers are said to have thinner cups and not be as strong as rifle so they generally are only used in pistol rounds. Some say Rifle primers may not fire first shot in all pistols due to recoil spring power.

 

[tjhaile]

Small rifle primers can be safely used for pistol reloading, but may result in light strikes with some guns. Pistol primers generally should not be used for rifle reloading, with the exception of some low-pressure cartridges like the .22 Hornet.

 

[ATOM]

KISS principle - Keep It Simple...

Rifle primers go with rifle cartridges, pistol primers with pistol cartridges.

 

[Al-Sway]

You haven't said what calibres you would be reloading, so the simple answer above is a good answer. The only exception that I make is with .357 Magnum, which I load with small pistol for use in my rifle.

 

[Freedom Ventures]

Small rifle primers can be safely used for pistol reloading, but may result in light strikes with some guns. Pistol primers generally should not be used for rifle reloading, with the exception of some low-pressure cartridges like the .22 Hornet.

You state it any better than tjhaile just did. Nicely done, sir!