Modify 45ACP brass for LRP

I have a bunch of large rifle primers and few of large pistol primers. Has anyone cut primer pockets for LRP and had good results? My load is 4.2 of Bullseye with a 185.

Thanks
Brad

I used large rifle without modifying the primer pockets; worked okay.  Also used them in 38/357 after modifying the primer pockets; with good results.

Large Rifle Primers are taller than Large Pistol Primers. Large Pistol Primer Pocket depth is 0.117 - 0.123" and Large Rifle Primer height is 0.123 - 0.133". The Rifle Primers will stick up above the base of the cartridge so there is a risk of the gun going full auto due to slam fires.

Rifle primers are usually harder and/or thicker brass so they are less likely to be ignited by lighter primer strikes. If you have a worn out firing pin spring or a light weight firing pin this could be a problem.

I did a test a few years ago during the last primer shortage and I did not experience any problems, but it was only a few rounds.

If you use a primer pocket cutter to make the pockets deeper it would be safe, but you could experience mis-fires using pistol primers if your firing pin doesn't protrude far enough. This would be a safe condition, but not good.

Small Rifle and Small Pistol primers are the same size, but pistol primers may be too soft for high rifle pressures and could burst and rifle primers are usually a little hotter, so the pressure and velocity will usually be higher if you use them in a pistol load.

If you mill the pocket deeper to accommodate a LRP, be aware that you are reducing the web thickness in the pocket.

Measure it with a plug in the case and one in the pocket. You may not have a lot of margin. 

Commercial Federal 223 from pre LC contract days was already half of milspec henc loose primers and blowouts.

Not sure how serious the 45 failure would be.

Find someone local to trade with maybe?

I think it makes more sense to spend whatever is needed to buy LPP - even if you have to substitute brands, you will be out less time and likely have a better product.

Spitballing here. What about cutting .30-06 cases to .45 ACP length?

1983xr wrote:I have a bunch of large rifle primers and few of large pistol primers. Has anyone cut primer pockets for LRP and had good results? My load is 4.2 of Bullseye with a 185.

Thanks
Brad

I have loaded at least 10,000 WLR primers in .45 ACP with no issues. Primer pockets were not altered. Cleaned, not altered. Most of the brass was Federal. Not sure what I did right or wrong, but they worked fine in my 1911's.  FYI loaded on a Dillon S1050.
YRMV.

BE Mike wrote:Spitballing here. What about cutting .30-06 cases to .45 ACP length?

308 Winchester works better

dannyd93140 wrote:

BE Mike wrote:Spitballing here. What about cutting .30-06 cases to .45 ACP length?

308 Winchester works better

.308 brass certainly would be easier to find, especially once fired. Even brass from blank rounds would work, if boxer primed, I suppose.