Magnum rifle primers in non magnum loads????

[jrebel]

I have been reading that people are using magnum rifle primers in non magnum loads when using ball powders like H414 for better more uniformed ignition.  Has anyone ever done this and what was your experience?  I am going to be loading .243 with 90 grain nosler e-tip bullets working up a load with H414. 

Thoughts and experiences would be great.  I suspect pressures would be a little higher so, like I do with ever new load, I am starting with the minimum powder charge and working up. 

Thanks

Jrebel

[bobcat]

There's a lot of speculation on this subject and not many facts from what I've seen. I don't think primers make a huge difference overall, but all you can do is try the magnums and see how they work. It's especially helpful if you use a chronograph while testing your loads, and use both standard and magnum primers and compare the results. I recently loaded some 223 WSSM cartridges using H414 and I went with the magnum primers just because I happened to have some on hand, and didn't have another use for them. They seemed to work fine, and just as expected, when comparing actual chronographed velocities to book velocities. But I didn't load any with standard primers to compare. Sorry, I'm not really much help, just my thoughts, and I have read the same thing you have regarding magnum primers with H414. But some say you need them, and others say you don't.

[jrebel]

There's a lot of speculation on this subject and not many facts from what I've seen. I don't think primers make a huge difference overall, but all you can do is try the magnums and see how they work. It's especially helpful if you use a chronograph while testing your loads, and use both standard and magnum primers and compare the results. I recently loaded some 223 WSSM cartridges using H414 and I went with the magnum primers just because I happened to have some on hand, and didn't have another use for them. They seemed to work fine, and just as expected, when comparing actual chronographed velocities to book velocities. But I didn't load any with standard primers to compare. Sorry, I'm not really much help, just my thoughts, and I have read the same thing you have regarding magnum primers with H414. But some say you need them, and others say you don't.

I have use H414 quite a bit without magnum rifle primers and have never had a problem.....but like you, I have a couple thousand magnum primers and no other use as I have gotten rid of all my magnum rifles.  I am working up a new load with the e-tips and will try it with the magnum primers and report back.  I suspect they will work just fine....I will just be super aware of pressure problems with the primers. 

[12Gauge]

I've used magnum primers in a non mag loads, not much difference.  Maybe, maybe a hundred psi increase.  Still take caution.

[jasnt]

My 243 like magnums primers with most the bullets I've tried except the 62gr br column's
I don't use h414 but with re17,re22,h4350 I have gotten better sd/es and slightly better groups.

[ndcasla]

I have not used mag primers with H414 but have with other powders in non magnum rounds.
I back my powder charge up 5% at first to do load work up and have never had a problem.

[JLS]

I was recently working up some .243 loads with Barnes 85 grain TSX bullets.  I was stuck at a littler over 1 MOA until I tried CCI Magnum primers (was using CCI 200) prior to that.  Group size shrunk to .75 MOA just by using magnum primers.  Part of it depends on the brand of primer too and how hot they are.  Winchester LR primers are nearly as hot as a CCI magnum.  Also, the powder I was using was Hornady Superperformance.

[300rum]

On the Chrono I have seen no real difference, at least not outside of the standard deviation powder/primer combo's to begin with.  I use them interchangeably unless I am on the bitter edge to begin with.  I rarely see any advantages to being on the edge so I have no problems switching them.

In the last few years with all the component runs (guys having to use whatever they can find) the fears that we were told 30 years ago in the loading manuals have been debunked.     

[jrebel]

Well....my short experience is there is very little if any differnce in the two primers.  I have come to the conclusion that I will need a slower powder for the 90 grain bullet out of my .243.  The H414 is really raved about for lighter bullets out of the .243 and some like it with the heavy bullets.  I found that I could not hold sub 2" with multiple loads.....so now to try IMR 4350 which should be a slower powder. 

On a better note....my .308 is dialed.  Sub 1/2 in goups with 42 grains varget pushing a 150 gr accubond.  I also tried the 150 grain partitions and had sum 1"....but I am curious to see how the accubonds take game so will deviate from my favorite bullet...the partition. 

[carpsniperg2]

I have taken a lot of critters with both the partition and accubonds. I favor the accubonds a little more. I am sure you will be happy with there killing power on game.

[iusmc2002]

I've done load work up with the CCI200 and 250 side by side in my 280 Rem.  The POI shift from 200 to 250 was about  one inch down and one inch left at 100 yards, and maintained that spread out to 500 yards which is the farthest I tested.  The 200 load held MOA to 500, and the 250 load held MOA to 300, but past that it held under 3/4 MOA to 800.  The 250 is my go to load for long range, with a 162gr HPBT on top of a full charge of H1000.

[MountainWalk]

So, in my 35 Whelen I normally run imr 4064 and fed large rifle primers. My wife accidentally bought cci large rifle mags. So your saying I can use these and not have pressure problems,  assuming I start at min and work up and observe the case for signs?

[jasnt]

So, in my 35 Whelen I normally run imr 4064 and fed large rifle primers. My wife accidentally bought cci large rifle mags. So your saying I can use these and not have pressure problems,  assuming I start at min and work up and observe the case for signs?

yes that would be fine as long as you work up. In most cases it will be negligible pressure difference but work up to be sure

[rudysts]

I don't know this for a fact but I was told all bulk military ammo uses magnum primers. this is to insure ignition in extreme conditions, cold weather.
The last step in my load development is primer testing to see which primer will give me the best ES/SD I have used large rifle magnum primers in non magnum and vice versa. but when I know I will be hunting in extreme cold i use magnum primers for for anything over 50 grains of powder to insure good ignition.

[JimmyHoffa]

They work, but as stated above load lower than normal and work back up.  They will ignite more powder at the beginning which will give you higher initial pressure.  If you use a heavy bullet it will take a little longer to get the pressure to come back down.