reloading 38 special

[30gman]

Can't find any small pistol primers. Can I substitute small rifle primers for small pistol primers for 38 sp revolver?

[Paladin]

yes and no. if what ever your using will knock off the rifle primers, yes. if not no. also rifle primers seem to be a little hotter than pistol primers watch those max loads. the only way you'll know is try them. GOOD LUCK!!!

[Dand]

Yes be careful as I believe small rifle primers have more charge so stay away from max. I think I did this once by accident. some handguns might not be able to strike the primers hard enough.  Try putting a couple into the primer pockets and check to see if they seat deep enough. Seems like I read that some rifle primers are a little longer and might sit "proud" in a handgun case. If you have primers sticking out much it could bind cylinders and be a hazard to shoot.  Better to trade for some of the proper stuff it at all possible.

[Larry L]

I wrote this question to CCI about 2 years ago in an email. The response I got back said that their small pistol primers and small rifle primers were the exact same primer in different packaging. I had also asked about the difference between their match primers and standard primers- there's zero difference except the operator of the machine has more experience. I have no clue if the other makers do the same thing but this is the way CCI does business. YMMV

[Dand]

That's very interesting news  - would be cool if you could share the letter. I've read  stuff out there that says different but the time I messed up and used the wrong primers didn't cause me a problem. I think I caught it before I loaded the powder so went to a very mild load and things were fine. It was when I was short of primers and I was too cheap to knock them out and start over.  I think it was only about 5- 10 loads - been a long time.


STILL - careful attention to safety is always in order.