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Non magnum primers in magnum cases?

6K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  rclark 
#1 ·
Just ordered 500 Starline 357 magnum cases. I have a lot of non magnum small pistol primers, Winchester. Can I use the non magnum primers in a magnum case if loaded down towards 38 special range? I am not loading to magnum specs. Just want some good mid level target loads. I have a good supply of factory 38 special that I will reload also, but like the 357 case better. I am one of the lazy ones that don't like to clean out the cylinder buildup from the 38's. This subject has probably been discussed, but I couldn't find it. triker
 
#2 ·
A magnum and non magnum primer of the same type are the same size. So, yes, there are many loads for the 357 magnum that don't use a magnum primer. I am doing the same as you. Full house magnums and lower velocity target rounds in the 357 cases. Some use magnum primers some do not.
 
#3 ·
Hey, thanks MidLife. I hope I get my cases as fast as you did. They say backordered till end of January. Now to find some good loads for my guns. Just picked up my new GP100 yesterday. Hogue grips, 4 in. barrel, stainless steel. It's a big old hog compared to my SP101 and LCR. Thanks for responding. triker
 
#4 ·
Which primers to use (mag vs. non-mag) should be shown in the load data book(?) you're using.

I use non-mag primers in all my 357 loads per the book I use (Spear).

Mag primers are not automatically used in loads for "magnum" named rounds, IE: 44MAG, 41MAG, etc, as far as I know.
 
#6 ·
Thanks Spike12. I have several older loading manuals and just purchased the latest Lyman and Lee manuals, as a lot of folks here like them. I am using Berrys 125 gr, FN, plated bullets and the old Hercules, bullseye and unique. So I have to interpolate the results as no book has any of those combinations. triker
 
#9 ·
According to the Lyman book, the only pistol powders that really require magnum primers are WW 296 and H110.
 
#11 ·
Its the powder that may require a magnum primer, not the case.
+1 . Right, most powders don't require a magnum primer.... On the other hand, unless you are working up 'maximum' over loads, either type of primer will do just fine. I normally just use standard primers, but several times I have used magnum primers when I was out of the standard. I can tell no difference between the two (a chrono 'might') when shooting.
 
#13 ·
I use 2400, Bullseye, and Titegroup powders in my magnum rounds all the time with standard pistol primers. No problems.
 
#15 · (Edited)
The POWDER used dictates whether you use Magnum or Regular primers. Some powders (even loads) work better with regular, some with Magnum. Other powders need a Magnum primer such as 4227 or H-110. Other powders are primer insensitive like Unique. On the other hand 2400 is primer sensitive and you get another 100+ fps from a Magnum primer but the ES widens out, so back to regular primer for it (for me). A chronograph tells you a lot when it comes to switching primers! See my Trail Boss results here to see how it affects a load.

My rule of thumb is to use regular primers, unless otherwise specified..... But the chrono will tell which to use :) . In cases like Unique I'll use what I have on hand because it doesn't care.

How's that for an answer :) .
 
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