can you replace large rifle primers with magnum

william martin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Messages
251
Location
va
I cant find nd large rifle primers and was jst wondering if I could use magnum in the place and what I would need to do if I do so thanks
 

rdl65

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
2,623
Location
Washington County
I have before, just back off on the powder and watch for signs of pressure. Sometimes you have to light a fire with a different match when availability is an issue.
 

william martin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Messages
251
Location
va
yea thats true on lightn a fire and yea I found several boxes of cci magnums and in my area but zero large so I guess we will give it a try
 

BirdDog123

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
424
Location
Tennesssee, US
I'm not sure about the large pistol but as long as you "work up" your reloads you will be fine.

You may want to expirement with different powders as well. I had the opposite scenario where I had small primers but needed small rifle magnums. The powder I was using was not easily ignited by regular small primer but a few other powders were better suited for it. Play around with it and see what you come up with!

Could we get specifics on what caliber, primer, bullet, charge, powder you are using? That might help
 

Hunter 257W

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
10,548
Location
Franklin County
Winchester LR primers are called Std/Mag primers. As always if there is any doubt whatsoever back off your powder charge and work back up watching for pressure signs. Especially true if the load in question is already operating at Max pressure.
 

BirdDog123

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
424
Location
Tennesssee, US
you will not get the same results using the same charge with large primer vs. magnum but there are plenty of people who do use magnums in .243 and 25-06.. especially for bullets around 100grains and above. just work up and you should be good! let us know your results after going to the range.
 

EastTNHunter

Well-Known Member
2-Step Enabled
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Messages
9,486
Location
Rhea Co., TN
MUP said:
I've also been told that lg pistol primers could also be used for lg rifle applications, is this also doable w/o much, if any, load mods?

Be careful with this, as the cup guage is not as thick on pistol primers and it is much easier to get a ruptured primer from a high pressure rifle load. Also, from what I hace heard, the pistol primers are shallower than rifle primers and can be easily overseated, either during the seating process, or from firing pin strike, not allowing as consistent of ignition.
 

MUP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Messages
100,114
Location
Just North of Chatt-town
EastTNHunter said:
MUP said:
I've also been told that lg pistol primers could also be used for lg rifle applications, is this also doable w/o much, if any, load mods?

Be careful with this, as the cup guage is not as thick on pistol primers and it is much easier to get a ruptured primer from a high pressure rifle load. Also, from what I hace heard, the pistol primers are shallower than rifle primers and can be easily overseated, either during the seating process, or from firing pin strike, not allowing as consistent of ignition.

Thanks East! Just wondering, as I haven't ever tried it, but an older gent here at work says it can be done in a pinch.
 

Team Browning

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2007
Messages
2,751
Location
Chattanooga
When I was looking for small pistol primers a couple of weeks ago, a guy at the reloading store explained that you can swap small rifle for small pistol in some rounds - .40 S&W specifically. With the shortage of primers these days, I believe we will see more of this type question being asked.
 
Top