Primer Question

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gunpoorboy1
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Primer Question

#1

Post by gunpoorboy1 »

Can you use large pistol primers when loading .44 Special and .45LC to be used in a lever action rifle in .44 Mag and .45LC?


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Harrier
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Re: Primer Question

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Post by Harrier »

Although the same diameter, Large Rifle primers are a slightly higher than Large Pistol and may protrude out too far - they are not interchangeable like Small Pistol/Rifle primers are. If you deepen the pocket then those cases won't be reliable in a pistol and you could weaken the web so don't go that route.
(Note that some factory cases can be specially marked for LR use... 500 S&W is one I know of and there could be others...)

Because rifles may have a heavier blow, thin cups could pierce so do some research on brand thickness and possibly use magnum primers (which typically have thicker cups) for rifle loads (you'll probably end up using CCI or Winchester). Also work up the load in your gun, say, in .2 increments or .1 if your trying to achieve max load... the mag primer could increase pressure over a book load that calls for std primers...
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Flash
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Re: Primer Question

#3

Post by Flash »

Once again, Harrier is correct.
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mtuck
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Re: Primer Question

#4

Post by mtuck »

All day, every day. No problem.
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samnev
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Re: Primer Question

#5

Post by samnev »

gunpoorboy1 wrote: May 21st, 2020, 7:51 pm Can you use large pistol primers when loading .44 Special and .45LC to be used in a lever action rifle in .44 Mag and .45LC?
I've done that for many years without ny problems.
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deanq
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Re: Primer Question

#6

Post by deanq »

Sorry, small pistol/rifle primers are interchangeable, as they have the same dimensions. Large pistol/rifle primers are NOT interchangeable as they have different dimensions. You may get away with it for a while, but eventually it'll catch up to you. JMHO YMMV
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Flash
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Re: Primer Question

#7

Post by Flash »

.44 Special and .45 Colt cases are designed to be used with large pistol primers and the primer pockets are cut to the depth required by large pistol primers. If you use large rifle in them, the primer will protrude beyond the base of the case.

In handguns, this sometimes ties up the cylinder and in rifles it may or may not induce a slam fire.
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