Rifle or pistol primers for 38 special and 357 max?

[clearwater]

For the 357 max rebore on a sb1 frame.

I notice people recommending small rifle for the 357 max brass loads to help prevent primer problems.

If one is shooting 38 special in the same gun, should rifle primers be used?

If so, would they seat too high and the brass need to be reamed to fit the rifle primers?

[quickdtoo]

Pistol primers would be fine due to the lower pressure of the 38spcl.

Tim

[shaner]

iam with tim , just use small pistol ,   if ya think you need more get magnum small pistol

[Darreld Walton]

The biggest physical difference between rifle and pistol primers is the length.  A rifle primer is longer, and if seated in the shorter pistol primer pocket, the primer will be beyond the back of the cartridge.  In a revolver, it will keep the cylinder from rotating.  In an auto, your headspace will be off, and may get a slam-fire.
If you're going to put high pressure pistol rounds together, just use the small pistol magnum primers.  You'll get a thicker cup, which stands up better to the pressure, as well as a hotter/longer burn.  I've seen no ill effects from using magnum primers in .38 special loads, and in a Handi, you shouldn't see any problem at all.
I know that the .500 S&W brass from Starline is made to accomodate a large rifle primer correctly.  Not sure about the .357 Max, though, so some research might be in order.

[OSOK]

All my research has shown the Max was designed for small rifle primers. For .38's just use small pistol primers.

[LaOtto222]

Use what your loading data calls for. If it calls for a small rifle primer, then that is what I would use. If it calls for a small pistol primer, then that is what I would use. Use the primer that your load data calls for. I know that primers have been hard to get lately, so people have been using what they can get their hands on. If that is the case, work your loads up slowly. The conventional primer for a 22 Hornet is a small rifle primer, but the Speer #14 calls for a small pistol primer with their data. and I have been using them with very good results. I have used small rifle primers and small pistol primers interchangeably, but again use what your load data calls for. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[cwlongshot]

Personaly, I only use SP primers for my 38 specail loads. SP and SP Mag for my magnum loads and SR and SR MATCH for my MAXIMUM loads. (I have seen no need for SR MAG primers in my maximum loads) Not a lick of a primer related issue.

CW

[RugerNo3]

True info on Centerfire primers.
Small pistol and small rifle primers are the same diameter and THICKNESS. Once seated in a case or out of the original container one is not distinguished from the other.
Large rifle and large pistol primers are the same OUTSIDE DIAMETER.
Large pistol primers are .004" shorter then large rifle primers. They can be measured to ascertain which is which if they are out of their respective containers or loaded in a centerfire case. Have large pistol primers been used in factory loaded high performance rifle ammo? The answer is yes, but is also private manufacturing information. Starline 45-70 cases seat a large rifle primer .004" inch deeper then the other brands. Check it out. There is much to be learned from reloading and keeping good notes is important.

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't take that to the bank considering the difference in dimensions by manufacturer. Primer pocket variance between each piece of brass and seating depth throws telling what primer is seated in a loaded round out the window too. 

Tim

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php

[gcrank1]

But since they are the same price, why not use LR in rifle cases, SP in pistol, etc. especially with stout loads.
Confession:
The only reason I used SP in my old Hornet was light hammer strike and with a sneeze worth of powder, not unlike a pistol load and pressures, it was OK. That was my solution to a not easily fixed problem on an old German made 'guild' rifle.