Using small pistol instead of small rifle

[msg.drew]

I know some shooters use small rifle primers in there small pistol calibers... can small pistol primers be used effectively in small rifle cases? Reason I am asking is I called my suppliers for primers of each type and was only able to snag a bunch of small and large pistol they are completly out small rifle and large rifle... indefinatly... so if these guys supply all the sporting goods stores in canada where are the stores getting primers or are there shelves emtpy too?

I am wondering if I can use small pistol in my 223 rounds... and large pistol in my .308's

 

[Rotaxpower]

I dont think its a good idea, I beleave that the pistol primers jacket is not thick enough to use in a rifle, and you could get periced primers.

BTW I know my spelling sucks. lol

 

[ben hunchak]

The larger granular powder may require more flame, than the small pistol can supply, I use large pistol in place of large rifle primers when loading black powder because it is much easier to ignite. I use small rifle primers however, in my .300 Whisper with 7.5 grs of powder as small pistol primers were erratic due to the size of the case,IMHO.

 

[ruffbird]

I don't think they would be able to stand the higher pressure of a rifle cartridge.

 

[chappy]

you can use pistol primers in low pressure loads like 30 30 lever guns. i wouldn't use in a bolt gun as bolts usually stike the primer harder than a lever. i've had excelent results using lrge piol primers in my 30 30 marlin.

 

[msg.drew]

I guess it would be benifitial to tell you that I am using low end loads in my .223 for my shorter barrel...

The loads are somewhere between 18-20 grains of IMR 3031 I cant remember off the top of my head what I decided on

 

[ipscgraz]

If you do then eye protection would be a really good idea, all the time.

 

[msg.drew]

If you do then eye protection would be a really good idea, all the time.

 

[H4831]

Small pistol primers are designed to be used in such calibres as the 357 Magnum, with pressures of about 38,000.
So, with any lever rifle, or loads in any rifle to that pressure, one shouldn't have to worry about pressure. I have heard these stories about danger of pircing the primer, but have never heard of it happening. Actually, I doubt if they are any easier to pierce than a rifle primer. Some revolvers give a mighty hard hit on the primer, and they are designed to handle it.
I have used large pistol primers on medium 45-70 loads in my Marlin and they were actually the best groups I shot. Not saying they are more accurate, just happened.
I also use small pistol primers in the 22 Hornet.
I am NOT advising anyone to use pistol primers in rifle cases, but just stating
what I have, maybe recklessly, done.

 

[msg.drew]

Thanks guys I think I found my answer.

 

[Ganderite]

Take a micrometer and measure the height of the 4 primers. As I recall, one set have the same height and the other pair differ.

In a low pressure load, I don't see a problem.

 

[ozguder]

i used spistol primer magnum(win)feaw times nothing happened but i didnt realy tested acuuracy or prssure i was goingto shooting range ididnt have a primer i try it but (not recomendit)

 

[farmnut]

Don't do it, I mixed up some primers loading my triple duce, Not exactly a high pressure round and now I have a nice eroded burn mark on my bolt face.

 

[slipp]

small pistol primers

I was researching a load for my hornet and found one that use a small pistol primer worked great the theory was in straight wall cases regular rifle primers are to hot move the powder and bullet out of the case to fast not achieving a good burn rate so in straight wall case pistol primers are ok gonna try them in my 45/70