Magnum rifle primer question

[ray1970]

Save me some internet searching and help me out.

Is the big difference between small rifle primers and magnum small rifle primers pretty much the thickness or hardness of the cup?

In other words, could I take one of my normal pet loads and just substitute magnum primers and be good to go without having to reduce my load and start over?

The loads and powders I am using are well below established pressure limits to begin with so even if a magnum primer has more pop or bumps my pressure up marginally I should be fine.

Anyone substitute magnum primers for standard primers without issue?

Thanks.

[Zombie Steve]

They are hotter. Depends on how fast or slow burning your powder is. I've done it in .223 with CFE-.223 and was fine... also with H4895 with not so great of results. I didn't lose parts off my gun or anything, but it was too quick of a pressure curve to handle it. Obviously the prudent thing is to back off a little and work back up.

What powder? Stick vs. ball powder can also be a thing.

[ray1970]

Well, currently my powder choices are limited as I?ve just recently started reloading again and everything is difficult to get right now.

I?ve been using up my Varget recently and I think I have some 4895. I believe I am using 24 gr pushing a standard 55 fmj in 223.

My preferred load was with H335 but since I don?t have any handy right now I?m trying to improvise.

I think I have about 500 cases ready to go and primed with standard CCI rifle primers but once those are loaded up I will either need to scrounge up more primers or try to use the magnum ones I have on hand.

[ray1970]

This is just plinking fodder for my ARs. Not doing any precision stuff or trying to work up any weird max velocity loads or anything.

Sitting on my stash of factory ammunition and just wanting to get some affordable range time in so delving back into loading my own for now.

[Zombie Steve]

Varget's the slower burner, of course. I'd try the magnum primers with those first. Heck, it's easy to get compressed loads with Varget... you might just like the way it works.

[ray1970]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[JohnnyDrama]

I would be more concerned about going the other way. I prefer magnum primers for .223/5.56. I read an article discussing the difference in standard and magnum primers in high pressure cartridges. The article was written by a competitor who shot a lot. His point was that magnum primers, with thicker cups were less likely to pierce than standard primers. Evidently that was an issue for him.

[Jamnanc]

I haven’t been able to notice a difference.

[rondog]

IMO, primers ignite powder, powder burns, bullets boogie....

If it fits, it ships.....

[Irving]

IMO, primers ignite powder, powder burns, bullets boogie....

If it fits, it ships.....

LMAO

[jreifsch80]

With varget I used mag primers and never had issues other than never getting varget loads to group well in my rifle, I switched to 8208xbr and it shoots lights out groups with that powder. As far as working up loads and switching to mag primers i did that with warm win748 loads worked up with cci400 26gr 748 and switched to cci41 and experienced no excessive pressure signs without a workup but thats for my rifle and my compomants ymmv

[ray1970]

Thanks everyone.

Don?t let the Varget fool you. I?m not trying to work up some magical load here. Just throwing together some plinkers to conserve the factory ammunition.

I?ll load up a few with the magnum primers and check for any adverse pressure signs. If it looks good to go I?ll load a small batch as I?ll be taking a new shooter out soon.