What's the difference between them? I know that the size is differant. What I want to know is the difference in the types. For instance, there are small rifle primers, but why the different types?

Flame temperature. Some powders, especially slow ones, require a hotter flame in order to ignite reliably under all conditions.

So what's the best one to use then? There's nothing wrong with using the hotter of them is there?

Just check your reloading book. It will tell you which one to use. That is the SAFEST way. All of the reloading books have done a lot of research and will specify the correct one to use.

bknstar has it right, just follow the recommendations of the manual.

"There's nothing wrong with using the hotter of them is there?"

Not as such. But ----

Most folks seem to think the hottest primer would be most desireable but that's really not true. Simplified, it will hurt accuracy if the powder is an easy one to ignite and the primer flame is excessive.

I keep in stock three different primer manufacturers. CCI (both small and large pistol and large rifle), Winchester (again the same as CCI) and Remington large pistol (2 1/2). I use magnum primers for my magnum loads and standard primers for my non-magnum rounds. I ocassionally use standard primers for some magnum loads. The reason for having two or more brands is because each manufacturer uses a bit different mix or quantity in the primer cup. Example: CCI primers are not as hot as Winchester. Another words if I get, oh say, 1200 fps (feet per second) using CCI primer and I change the primer to a winchester primer I might get 1225 to 1250 fps from the same powder charge and bullet.

However: I would not recommend substituting a magnum primer in place of a standard primer until you an have absolute understanding of reloading. Nor would I use a rifle primer in place of a pistol primer EVER. Until you have reloaded for a few years and fully understand what you are doing...Stick with the manual...My recomendation is Lyman's 48th Edition (just $20.00)...

By The Way...I use a chronograph and a target to determine if the primer change is having adverse or good results...

Hope this is of helps.

Look guys...I upgraded one of my presses to a Classic Cast single stage. Now I will need to upgrade my turret to a cast turret too. Great planning...

Hey Bushy, since you mention the Lee Classic Cast, what is your appraisal of it for stength and ease of use, adjustable handle, etc.

Don't just put that little "Reloader" press under the bench, set it up with the AutoPrime II and dedicate it to that use. I did, and love it! In fact, I have a second Reloader sitting beside the first, dedicated to de-capping.

Looks like you poly your Lee wooden ball handles too. That sure makes it easy to keep them clean!

Nice looking bench.

Just to the right out of sight is a Lee Classic Turret...One of these days I will up grade it to the Lee Classic Cast turret. Running out of room on the bench for any other presses.. You will note that the resizing/decapping dies are just to the left of the single stage press (new)..For me this is handy. If there is a resizing/decapping die in the single stage the Auto Prime II die is in the rack with the other resizing/decapping dies. So far it seems to be one rugged press. It does have a longer through on the handle (capable of loading .50 cal BMG). I have to learn all over to feel primer seating.

Codybrown...Did we get your question answered?

Yup, thank you all for your help.

Cody, In my old Sierra Reloading Manual they say that using a magnum primer is almost the same as adding a grain extra of powder. The only time I have ever substituted a different primer is when I could only get Federal Small Pistol Gold Medal Match GM100M primers instead of Federal Standard Small Pistol. Not sure that I could see any improvement though.

Still have just over 3000 of the Federal Gold Medal Match primers and don't have a pistol to load for anymore. Damn things are takin' up space in my cupboard.

As all have said above...stick to what it says in the manual...much safer that way, and usually a lot more accurate. Of course there is also the economics...standard primers are cheaper than magnum.

Cheers, Vince

Bushmaster wrote:

....Look guys...I upgraded one of my presses to a Classic Cast single stage. Now I will need to upgrade my turret to a cast turret too. Great planning...

Bushy, how's that Classic Cast working out for you so far?

Things I like about mine is the smooth feeling stroke, no wobble on the ram or linkages, great adjustment range in the handle, very comfy ball grip. The primer dump tube also catches most primers = no grit on the ram. Did you notice the oiling ports where the bushings are? One heck of a quality package for minimal $.

So far it has performed quite well. I'll know more when I load some rifle rounds on it...

In regards to primers, if the manual says use large rifle primers, that's usually what I start with but not necessarily what I end with. If it says large magnum primers, then that is usually what I start with. I ignore recommendations as to brand.

In small cartridges like handgun cartridges, using a magnum vs regular primer can make a significant pressure difference. In loading cartridges the size of 308 Winchester on up, I've never found the brand or magnum vs stardard primer to make any noticeable difference in pressures though at times there is a notable difference in accuracy.

The primer starts the powder burning and, of itself in a large case, contributes very little pressure. In working up a load, you should be monitoring pressure signs anyway whether or not you're following a manual exactly. If you do that, changing brands of primers shouldn't get you into trouble.

Some examples from personal experience:

1. 44 Rem. Mag. with IMR 4227. The load had to be decreased 1.5 to 2 grains when using large rifle magnum as opposed to large pistol primers. Accuracy was worse with the rifle primers.

2. 7mm Rem. Mag. with RL-22. I use large rifle primers and get excellent accuracy.

3. 357 Herrett with IMR 4227. I use CCI 250 large rifle magnum primers which give a pronounced accuracy advantage over large rifle primers.