Magnum Loads

[Birddog 1]

This might sound like a lame question but can you use standard primers in a Magnum load ?   

Birddog 1

[GH1]

That's not a lame question at all, and the answer is sometimes.  It depends on the powder being used.  For instance, I know that magnum primers are NOT recommended with accurate #9 in .357 mag loads. Some powders though, require a mag primer to ensure complete burning. I believe Win 296 is one of these.
Some powders too, will work with either, but the powder charge has to be lessened when using mag primers to avoid an over pressure situation.
So it really just depends on the powder, and possible the cartridge too.
GH1

[shot1]

Elmer Keith's 44 mag load with 2400 was WITHOUT mag primers.  With most ball powders it is recommended to use mag primers. Large rifle cases that hold around 50 or more grains of slow burning powder it is a good idea to use mag primers especially if you are using it in below freezing conditions. I try different primers to find the most accurate load myself. 

[buck460XVR]

This might sound like a lame question but can you use standard primers in a Magnum load ?   

Birddog 1

I have yet to see a reloading  manual that does not list the proper primer type for the  given recipe. If you are following tested and published load recipes, you already know the answer. If you are not following tested and published load recipes, you are asking for trouble.



.......just sayin'.

[Grumulkin]

The dictum to "always" use magnum primers with ball powders is baloney.

Just because a cartridge says "magnum" in it's name doesn't mean it needs a magnum primer and even if it's not named magnum doesn't mean it might not do better with a magnum primer.  Furthermore, loading manuals list one type of primer ONLY because they aren't going to use a bunch of different primers in load testing and some loading companies have economic affiliations with certain brands of primers.  A primer just lights the fire and has relatively little contribution to the pressure a cartridge generates.

One example in my case is the use of Federal 210M (large rifle match) in a 7mm Remington Magnum.  In my 44 Magnum I've used large pistol, large pistol magnum AND large rifle magnum primers though in the latter I had to reduce my H110/Win. 296 load by 1 or 2 grains.  The key to ANY safe reloading is to start low, work up in sensible steps, consult reloading manuals and know and heed pressure signs in the firearm you're shooting.  If you do that, you can switch primers with no problem.

[Catfish]

I use alot of diferent primers and have done enough testing on primers to know that they do not seem to follow any rules. In some rounds and powders I could get no difference in velocity and with other rounds and powders there would be a great difference, I did find 1 load that showed more presure with standard primers than with mag. primers. If you are going to use loads for hunting in real cold weather I would definately use mag. primers, but other wise use what you get the best accuracy with.