Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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8eightring
Wobbley
bruce martindale
mikemyers
8 posters
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Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
Looking through my old reloading stuff from the 1990's, I found some old 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:
- 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.
mikemyers- Posts : 4236
Join date : 2016-07-27
Age : 80
Location : South Florida, and India
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
I always wondered how "magnum" primers were different from standard primers. Considering the prices back then, I should have bought many more.
mikemyers- Posts : 4236
Join date : 2016-07-27
Age : 80
Location : South Florida, and India
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
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.
Wobbley- Admin
- Posts : 4802
Join date : 2015-02-13
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
8eightring- Posts : 193
Join date : 2011-06-17
Location : Ohio
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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%.)
mikemyers- Posts : 4236
Join date : 2016-07-27
Age : 80
Location : South Florida, and India
Substituting mag primers
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
Dipnet- Posts : 186
Join date : 2014-06-09
Location : Gainesville, Florida
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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!
Thanks!
mikemyers- Posts : 4236
Join date : 2016-07-27
Age : 80
Location : South Florida, and India
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
I also use small rifle std and magnum in pistol loals
Arthur likes this post
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
So "small rifle std" is another choice if needed? Useful information to remember for the future. Thanks!
mikemyers- Posts : 4236
Join date : 2016-07-27
Age : 80
Location : South Florida, and India
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
I have loaded many magnum primers in 38 spl revolver target loads for shooting rouge pine cones in the mountains.
L Valdez- Posts : 133
Join date : 2016-07-21
Re: Can CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers be used for 38 Special Bullseye Loads?
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.
Called Remington and the tech said the only difference was in the cup (harder) not in the priming compound.
You may want too check.
larryx- Posts : 9
Join date : 2014-01-12
BE Mike likes this post
Good to go in mid range 38 Spl!!
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,
jjfitch- Posts : 142
Join date : 2012-09-01
Age : 77
Location : The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
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