Using Small Rifle Mag Primers vs Regular Small Rifle Primers

[Yukon Gold]

Question for when reloading .454 Casull - light "practice" loads ( 11 gr. Unique, 260 gr. cast bullet - around 1200 fps).  Case volumes usually leave a lot of "empty" space.

Does using a mag primer vs. regular primer allow for a more complete or consistant combustion - or is it of no value - or a bad idea in general?

[jerkface11]

unique shouldn't  need a magnum primer. But why not safe powder and load that in a 45 colt case? You could get the same velocity.

[PA-Joe]

Using a mag primer will also increase the velocity deviations between rounds.

[MickinColo]

The choice between Magnum primes or regular primers makes a little difference.

My question is why would you pick Unique to load 454 Casull with 260 grain bullets? Just because you have it?

[Catfish]

I always use mag. primers in handgun cases. I have never loaded lite loads for a .454 though, your wasting powder and veloaity. If your wanting plinking loads load .45 Colt case for lite loads, less powder more preformance. I have never shot lite loads in eather a .454 or a .500 S&W, just don`t seem right to me.  :roll:

[Yukon Gold]

Thanks for the input - although I seemed to get more replys as to why I would use a relatively light load through a .454, and why not use .45 colt brass instead.

The first one is easy - light loads for practice.  When working on my trigger control, site picture, etc. etc.  and practicing while shooting 100 round + during a day of shooting - my personal limit is about 50 rounds of full house rounds before I start to flinch etc.  The lighter rounds allow me to practice all day, without beating my hands or my nerves.

However, the second item brings up another question.  Why not use .45LC in a .454 to save $$.  

Back 25+ years ago, when I purchased my first .357, and then .44 mag - it was told to me that although I could use .38 special, and .44 special respectively, that in the long run, it was not a good idea for revolvers.  The shorter brass, with the greater distance between the bullet and forcing cone, would shorten the life of a weapon, vs. using the cartridge that was intended for it.  It was passed on to me from someone I highly respected - so I pretty much took it to heart.  Anyways, what did it matter to me - reloading a .44 special took just as much time as a .44 mag.  Primer, shell, and bullet cost the same.  Power difference in a box was down to pennies.

So here is my question - will the use of cartridges shorter than what the gun was designed for have a detrimental effect over the long term?

[MickinColo]

I wasn’t criticizing you for using Unique in your loads. I was wondering why you chose that particular powder. Inquiring minds want to know is all, no judgement here.

[Haywire Haywood]

I couldn't get my 357 Maximum NEF to group at all till I switched to Mag primers.  They're all I use now

Ian

[Duffy]

Yukon,
The biggest problem that I've heard of using 45 colt in the 454 was from shooters that loaded them hot and shot quite a few of them. It would erode a ring or pits in the cyl where the brass stopped shorter than the throat. All in all it really doesnt hurt anything to shoot the shorter rounds but I have found that accuracy can sometimes suffer depending on the gun. My SRH 454 shoots 45 colt just great actually better than the 454 at times but that could be me. My old Security Six just doesnt like 38 specials. And of course you have to remember to brush out the cyl when you want to shoot the longer cases. On the primers generally with the faster easy to light powders, mag primers arent needed and can raise cain with psi and accuracy. If you shoot lighter loads in the 454 cases there are a few things to do to help. You can seat the bullets deeper to take up space or get a bullet that seats deep. (this will also raise psi so be careful) You could also try using some of Hodgdon's TightGroup as this is designed to be used in large cases and is position insensitive. With Tightgroup they show a load for the 260 Speer from 9.5-11.0g and fps is from 1159-1270 so they should be pretty light but have enough bite to keep you awake.  Hope this helps some.

[TennesseeNuc]

Yukon,
I don't think Unique requires magnum primers. The method I use to assure consistant burning with Unique is a good heavy crimp.  It will make a lot of difference in reducing unburned powder.  Even with a heavy crimp you will still get a little unburned powder.  It's just the nature of Unique.
I used to use Unique, but switched to W-231.  I got the same or better accuracy as with Unique and a lot cleaner burning. :-)
Best,
TnNuc

[Redhawk1]

One thing you need to consider when light loading is, you can cause over pressure in the case with light loads. So be careful.

I personal own a 454 Casull and two 500 Mags. I never light load any of them. I practice with what I am going to use.

If I want trigger time, I get my 357 Mag or a 22 and shoot all day.

If you want trigger time on the 454 casull, just use standard loaded 45 L/C and you won't have to worry about erosion in the cylinder of your 454 casull.

When I want trigger time on my 500 Mags, I use full loads and shoot about 50 rounds. I shoot slow and concern myself with quality shoots not quantity.

As far as standard primers or magnum primers, I use what the books call for.