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Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?

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Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads? Empty Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?

Post by mikemyers Mon 7 Sep - 23:37

Looking through my old reloading stuff from the 1990's, I found some old primers.

  • I found a box of 1,000 CCI 300 Large Pistol Primers 
  • I also box of 1000 CCI 550 Small Pistol MAGNUM Primers.  


People on the Brian Enos forum (https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/261224-cci-500-vs-cci-550-primers/) say they use these interchangeably.  Is that correct?  Is it safe to use CCI 550 primers for Bullseye loads in 38 Special?

Potentially useful information:

  • If you can get 550s for the same price, you will use about 0.1gr less powder than you would using 500s.
  • magnum primer compound  has some additional particles in them (maybe phosphorous?) that ignite and have a little bit of mass and thus momentum to carry them deeper into the powder unimpeded and ensure good ignition.  Since 9mm has such a short powder column to begin with, the difference between magnum and standard primers in 9mm is almost nothing. 
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Post by bruce martindale Tue 8 Sep - 0:09

Yes, no problem for our lead target  loads, l wouldn't substitute it it was a +p load to start with, or s max load in jacketed.

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Post by mikemyers Tue 8 Sep - 0:21

Thanks, Bruce.  That takes the pressure off finding more.  I did find some, in New York, but the shop doesn't think they can deal with the "hazmat fee".

I always wondered how "magnum" primers were different from standard primers.  Considering the prices back then, I should have bought many more.
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Post by Wobbley Tue 8 Sep - 2:58

The “Magnum” primers will be fine but they might have a different velocity and/or zero.  

Unless the store is set up as a HAZMAT shipper, he can’t re-ship them.  It’s a bit off a “deal” to be a hazmat shipper.
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Post by 8eightring Tue 8 Sep - 16:24

Can't find small pistol primers. I have been using a lot of small rifle primers in 38. I can't tell a bit of difference in the results.
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Post by mikemyers Tue 8 Sep - 19:15

Manhoods Sporting Goods has a thousand Large Pistol Primers with my name on them.  I just called them to say that there is now way for them to get the primers to me, because of the Hazmat fee, so they are free to sell them to anyone else - the people at the store who know about this are "Sunny" and "Emily", and the phone number to the store is 607 334 2001.  Both of them are off-work today, but will be in tomorrow morning.  If you call, mention my name, "Mike Myers" and that they have everything written up to sell them to me, *IF* we could have worked out the Hazmat fee.  You'll need to go there in person though - someplace in New York.  Maybe my problem will help one of you.  (Sonny told me that if I get 1000 primers, there is a discount - if I remember correctly, 10%.)
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Post by Dipnet Sun 13 Sep - 3:48

I’ve read that for low and mid-range loads, reduce charge weight by 10%. I would be careful with loads where there is little difference between min & max charge weights. Dipnet
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Post by mikemyers Sun 13 Sep - 6:41

The only rounds I will be using them for are light loads for my Model 52, and I'll probably shoot some of them with my revolver.
Thanks!
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Post by bruce martindale Sun 13 Sep - 12:26

I also use small rifle std and magnum in pistol loals

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Post by mikemyers Sun 13 Sep - 13:25

So "small rifle std" is another choice if needed?   Useful information to remember for the future.  Thanks!
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Post by L Valdez Sun 13 Sep - 23:15

In the 1990's a writer for one of the gun magazines tested magnum primers vs standard primers and came up with no difference in velocity. All of a sudden other gun writers said the same. 
I have loaded many magnum primers in 38 spl revolver target loads for shooting rouge pine cones in the mountains.

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Post by larryx Tue 15 Sep - 15:30

I had some Remington Magnum small pistol primers that a friend gave me 3 years ago. I had the same misgivings.
Called Remington and the tech said the only difference was in the cup (harder) not in the priming compound.
You may want too check.

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Post by jjfitch Fri 18 Sep - 2:15

mikemyers wrote:The only rounds I will be using them for are light loads for my Model 52, and I'll probably shoot some of them with my revolver.
Thanks!

Magnum primers may have a longer spark or brisance to better ignite "magnum" powders and or thicker cups due to higher pressures.  

My testing 9mm with CCI small pistol magnum primers revealed 25 fps increase with improved S/D. No pressure signs!

On another forum revealed similar results and some saw no difference!

Smiles,
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