With reloading components still hard to find, the question emerges: Can you use rifle primers in handgun cartridges? If you’re flush with rifle primers but hurting for pistol primers (as I am), it’s a logical question. To evaluate this, loaded a box of .357 Magnum ammo for my Colt Python. I tried to different loads of Bullseye (not an ideal .357 Magnum propellant, but it’s what I had available) and Winchester small rifle primers.
I thought I would simultaneously test for accuracy and reliability on Alco 4-silhouette targets at 25 yards, firing single action at the top two targets and double action on the bottom two targets. The first load was 3.2 grains of Bullseye, a 158 grain cast flatpoint bullet, and Winchester small rifle primers.
Accuracy was mediocre (if you’re ever assaulted by four little men with orange bullseyes painted on their chest, you’d be good enough for government work, but you won’t be taking home any accuracy trophies). The upper two little orange guys were fired single action, and every round discharged. The bottom two little orange guys were fired double action, and on those two targets, I had two misfires. That’s two misfires in 10 rounds, and that’s not good. When I fired the two misfired rounds a second time, they discharged normally.
The next target was a repeat of the first, except the ammo I shot at it had 4.0 grains of Bullseye. Everything else was the same. The top two targets were fired single action and the bottom two were fired double action. All rounds fired normally.
You can ignore the shots below the bottom two targets. I was just shooting up some ammo I had left loaded with different combos. The lower left group on the zombie’s green hand were .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter loads (with 2.7 grains of Bullseye); the ones between the two targets were .38 Special loads with the 158 grain flat point bullets and 4.5 grains of Bullseye (a very hot .38 Special load).
The propellant’s name notwithstanding, none of the above were not particularly accurate loads.
As to the primary question: Will rifle primers work in handgun cartridges, my take on this is yes, if fired single action. In double action, ignition is unreliable. On handguns with heavy hammers, you’re probably okay if firing single action. That’s true on the Colt Python, and it’s definitely true on single action Ruger Blackhawks (I have a .30 Carbine Ruger Blackhawk and I always load .30 Carbine ammo with rifle primers).
I suppose it’s possible that the two rounds that misfired double action in the Python may have been suffering from primers that were not completely seated, but I don’t see a need to continue testing. I learned enough from this quick look.
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I have been using SRP to reload 9x19mm cartridges successfully.
Fire just fine in SA/DA auto pistol, and a carbine.
Thanks for commenting, Alan. I think there will be variability in primer strike energy from weapon to weapon.
That was nowhere near enough test data to make a conclusion about small rifle primers in pistol loads. CCI states that their #400 SRP’s are the exact same primer as the #550 SPMP. Just different labeling. Same cup alloy, thickness, same amount of primer, same brisance, same anvil distance from cup base. You need to experiment with different primers, powders, and pistols. I use Rem 6 1/2 in 9mm striker fired pistols. Never a misfire. Same accuracy as my SPP loads. The difference in FPS is almost non-existent.
Good inputs, Mike. Thanks for commenting. You could interpret your comments to mean that you could use CCI small pistol primers in rifle cartridges. That is not advisable, in my opinion.
Yup
I used some large rifle primers in some 45 Colt by mistake and found that they worked fine in my 1860 Henry and my 1873 Colt reproductions. I used my standard 4.9 grains of Clays with a 250 grain cast lead bullet. Accuracy was on par with my large pistol primers.
Awesome! Hey, thanks for commenting, Don.
I’ve used srp’s and Remington 6 1/2 with not one problem in any of my wheels or auto’s.
I’ve used rifle primers in .45 Long Colt reloads after I bought my Winchester ‘94 carbine in .45 LC. I was making loads that may be approaching .454 Casull ballistics, which I marked with a red sharpie on the primers so I wouldn’t accidentally put them in my S&W model 25-5.