Magnum Or Regular Primers
Question:
I am going to start working up a deer load in my .338 Win Mag. I am going to use 200gr Nosler BT’s. The reloading book I have lists a Magnum Primer but I have a ton of regular primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers? Mark Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>I am going to start working up a deer load in my .338 Win Mag. I am going to use 200gr Nosler BT’s. The reloading book I have lists a Magnum Primer but I have a ton of regular primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers? >Mark
My understanding is that (according to the Lyman Manual, Hodgden and IMR) you could under-ignite the powder and adversely affect your ballistics. Worst case could be a projectile stuck in the barrel of your firearm. For primers costing $1.50 for 100, I’d get the Magnums and follow the Reloading Guide. IMHO, a $1.50 investment could prevent a whole lot of heartache. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ——Original Message—– Newsgroups: rec.hunting >I am going to start working up a deer load in my .338 Win Mag. I am going to use 200gr Nosler BT’s. The reloading book I have lists a Magnum Primer but I have a ton of regular primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers? >Mark Hi Mark; I sold my .338 because I wasn’t using it much. I used regular and magnum primers and didn’t see enough difference to worry about. I have 3 consecutive targets that I shot while sighting in for a moose hunt in1987 #50 275 gr. Speer 67gr IMR 4350 250 CCI Mag Ave 2513.5 fps #51 275 gr. Speer 67gr. IMR 4350 Rem. 9-1/2 Mag Ave. 2516.5 fps #52 275 Gr. Speer 67 gr. IMR 4350 Herters 120 (regular) Ave. 2521 fps Target # 63 was not chronographed. Using the same load as above except for primers, I was sighting the gun in. The first group was with 200 CCI primers and printed about 2 inches to the right. After adjusting 8 clicks left, the second group printed 2 " left of the first one and was at the same elevation. Both groups were 3 shot and both were 5/8 " groups. IMR 4350 seems to be the best powder for my .338 and any primer seems to work just fine. You will be using a lighter bullet and probably a different powder but I doubt if you will notice much difference. There should be no danger or other problems in using regular primers. I loaded my .338 with large pistol primers by mistake once and they grouped one inch lower at 100 yards. Go ahead and use your tons of regular primers Bob Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>I am going to start working up a deer load in my .338 Win Mag…. >The reloading book I have lists a Magnum Primer but I have a ton >of regular primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load > calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers?
Spend $2 and buy a box of magnum primers. Use what the manual says to use. While regular primers might work fine with some powders, they also may cause inconsistent ignition, poor accuracy or velocity with the slower powders often used in magnum loads. At the lower temperatures encountered while hunting many kinds of game you may get misfires with regular primers too. Jay T Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers? Hi, I can’t speak to rifle loads, but this question frequently comes up with handguns. I loaded tons of shells for my .357 Mag with standard primers when the book called for magnums. I couldn’t see or feel a difference. Then we ran ‘em both (types of primer, same load) over the chronograph and noticed a slight improvement in consistency (not velocity) with the magnums. If you have access to a chronograph, you could try with the .338 loads and see what you get. Good luck with your deer! Rick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
—– Original Message —– > I am going to start working up a deer load in my .338 Win Mag. I am
going to use 200gr Nosler BT’s. The reloading book I have lists a Magnum Primer but I have a ton of regular primers. Is it important to use the mag primers if the load calls for it? What could happen if I use the regular primers? > Mark
Use the magnum primers, if the load specifies it. Some powders are harder to ignite, and need a hotter flame. If you substitute a regular primer, you will get unreliable ignition, which could cause variations in velocity (inaccuracy), and uncommonly, complete ignition failure. A dangerous condition could result if you worked up a load with regular primers, then one day, forget and load a batch with magnums, thus increasing the chamber pressure to dangerous levels. Always mark your reloads, and never substitute components without backing off the charge, and working up just as you would a new load. Bob Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
