Overheard a discussion today about using small pistol primers to load 223. With the shortages we are facing would this be advised?

NRG

There is some mention on the web, mostly using SR in handgun loads. Most rifle loads will be higher pressure than handgun, could be an issue.

One guy made an informative video on SR in his 9mm, worked fine for him. I realize I’m more talking the sr primers in pistol loads.

Say one loaded mild loads in a 223, could work, never done it. I guess the standard answer is generally no.

I think individual makes of primers can have a harder cup, another factor. I actually may be some testing at some point, controlled batch.

Small pistol primers is the primer to have today as everyone is looking for these....I would recommend you post a - Want To Trade - Ad on your states local gun site(s) stating you have SPP you will trade one for one for SRP...My bet is you will have more opportunities than you have primers...That has been the trend on the local gun sites for my area...Good Luck and the good news is you have what most every reloader wants and needs right now....Mark

As a side note, I did see LR primers on the shelf yesterday, $36.99 for 1k. They had a fair bit of powder too. The only thing I bought was Goex FF black powder for an old M-L.

quote:

Originally posted by NewRiverGeorge:
Overheard a discussion today about using small pistol primers to load 223. With the shortages we are facing would this be advised?

NRG

I would not use small pistol primers in a rifle cartridge unless it was a significantly reduced load. And most folks have no means to measure chamber pressure. The other way, using small rifle primers in a pistol cartridge is good to go.

See my posts here in this thread.
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...935/m/1120009574/p/2

quote:

Originally posted by NewRiverGeorge:
Overheard a discussion today about using small pistol primers to load 223. With the shortages we are facing would this be advised?

NRG

Don't even think of doing that. Not only are SPP thinner (and the will pierce in a .223), they are also a little bit shorter so you may get hangfires or missfires.

If you think you can lower the pressure by reducing the load, you are courting other bad issues such as detonation, where the bullet doesn't come out fast enough or at all and the pressure is all on the bolt. Yuck.

I would not do it.

It fails the cost-benefit analysis.