I know one is a regular small rifle primer, and the other is a small rifle mag primer. So what's the difference, and can they be interchanged? I'm looking for small rifle pribers but can't find them anywhere

primers are rated by brescence, I don't think I spelled that right. but in layman terms it is the amount of spark and the penetration of that spark into powders coating [usually graphite] in smokeless powders a magnum primer compared to a regular primer whether it be large or small, pistol or rifle will boost pressure significantly because it lights more powder initially while the volume of the combustion chamber is relatively small. as opposed to the size it is after the bullet is a little farther down the tube.

if you interchange them drop your powder charge 2g.'s. and work back up especially if you load close to max. some powders suggest use of a magnum primer because they're harder to light. alot of ball powders do suggest this in reloading manuals they say you can get a hang-fire I've NEVER encountered this but have heard it quoted enough to think it might. I usually get better accuracy from reg primers.

AH that makes sense. I never thought of the giant spark igniting 9gr of powder in a tiny case versus a smaller small rifle primer. This is regarding to loading for a 22 hornet, so I'm probably correct in assuming that I should stick with a small primer!! Thank You.

I go down to a small pistol in a .218 bee w 13.3 g.'s of aa 1680 and 35g v-maxs drop that to 12 and it would make a nice 22 hornet load in a ruger #1 or other sturdy 22 hornet

fnuser wrote:

primers are rated by brescence, I don't think I spelled that right. but in layman terms it is the amount of spark and the penetration of that spark into powders coating [usually graphite] in smokeless powders a magnum primer compared to a regular primer whether it be large or small, pistol or rifle will boost pressure significantly because it lights more powder initially while the volume of the combustion chamber is relatively small. as opposed to the size it is after the bullet is a little farther down the tube.

Sage advice FNUser. Whilst it is possible to use a Magnum Primer in place of a Standard Primer, it is pretty much mandatory to reduce your load by 1.5 - 2 grains and work the load up again watching for signs of pressure.

Cheers, Vince

So should I use small pistol primers or small rifle primers then?

Personally Cody, I would stick to small rifle primers. But I'm pretty certain that there is someone here who can say why you could use either one or the other.

From memory... when the CRS ain't running rampant...I believe that small pistol primers have a softer cup than the small rifle primers. Could be a small safety issue there mate.

Cheers, Vince

I use rifle primers in my Hornet for what its worth. I figure they'll handle the pressure better.

I guess I'll go back to browsing around trying to find someone who's got a case or 2 of them in stock.......hard to do!!