German Jim Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Any difference between the two for our game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullett Sass 19707 Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Not that I can tell. Shot them in my rifle in 3 matches with same load I always use. Bullett 19707 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 About 2/10's of a grain difference in powder to get the same result. Since we don't go near max loads, they are safe. In some cases the mag primers are just a little more difficult to work as to hammer strength. So if you are set for very light hammer, you may need to slightly increase it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendo Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 26 minutes ago, Marauder SASS #13056 said: About 2/10's of a grain difference in powder to get the same result. I'm not sure I'm tracking you on this. It's probably just me, but could you explain just a touch more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 No difference I can tell. Personally I use magnums all the time because when the community organizer was in charge that was all that was available. Never saw any reason to change back to standards since the magnums worked just fine. Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 When using powder that is cold temperature sensitive (actually less sensitive), a magnum primer will give more consistent and complete burn of your powder. When I talked with a couple primer manufacturer reps a few years back, both of them told me that magnum primers initiated a LONGER lasting flash to help ensure a more complete powder burn. They stated that the magnum primer WAS NOT hotter, but rather longer burning. Personally, when I used CLAY powder in my pistols with standard Federal primers, I got inconsistent burning of my powder and erratic performance of my reloads. When I switched to Federal MAGNUM primers, I started getting consistent performance from my reloads. All of this was cold weather results. I couldn't tell any difference in either primer performance during the summer months here in E.TN. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El diablo gringo Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 As with everyone else, I have used both in this game and never experienced any difference in performance. Gringo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 I've used Fed 150s and Fed 155s pretty much interchangeably for years now. No discernible difference in my 45 Colts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 10 hours ago, Hendo said: I'm not sure I'm tracking you on this. It's probably just me, but could you explain just a touch more? If you change from standard to magnum, you will get the same velocity if you decrease the load by about 2/10 of a grain - that is assuming that your load is not so light that the reduction will lead to inconsistency. So generally, you will not notice a difference between the two. But as mentioned, you may get more consistency, especially in colder weather, as others have mentioned. But many have said that with their tuned guns, the magnums were not quite as reliably in firing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Devil Dale Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 40 minutes ago, Marauder SASS #13056 said: many have said that with their tuned guns, the magnums were not quite as reliably in firing. I agree. I've talked with a number of shooters, including myself, who had to increase hammer spring force a small amount to avoid failures with Federal magnum primers -- for both pistols and rifles. How much increase? I have gone from 15# to 18# springs in my NMVs, mostly to reduce lock time. With the 18# springs, my primer failures disappeared. Previously I had to wrap around at least once or twice in every 5 stage match. My wife was shooting 13# in her SS .32 mags, and had fairly frequent primer det. failures. With 15# springs, her problem disappeared. So we are talking about fairly small spring force increases in the pistols. The rifle is harder to quantify. I had to tighten my hammer spring tension noticeably (maybe 20%) with my Uberti '73 (.357 cal) to get reliable primer detonations. But timing and pilot error are such a big factor on rifle primer function that It is difficult to know for sure how much more force was required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tully Mars Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 German Jim, There's lots of great advice here. Personally I've used magnum and standard primers interchangeably in Cowboy and WB. Slo Mo and I have had no issues with magnum primers in our tuned Shotgun Boogie Vaquero's. With your full house BP loads in your Colts, you shouldn't have any issues. Tully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blast Masterson Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 You mean we have a choice in the primers we use these days?! If you got em, shoot em... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 Widder pretty much covered it. I try to use Magnum primers whenever I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 I've used Winchester primers for 50 years. No problems. No confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
German Jim Posted July 16, 2022 Author Share Posted July 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Warden Callaway said: I've used Winchester primers for 50 years. No problems. No confusion. $1.20/Hundred!!! When did you get those? When central fire cartridges were invented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 The only problem the wife and I have experienced with Federal Small Magnum pistol primers have been with her Ruger Single Six .32 mags. She has had failure to fire problems with the way her pistols are set up now. I have enough regular Federal Small Pistol Primers for her. If my supply gets depleted, I will change her hammer springs. The Federal magnums run fine in our 1873 rifles and my Pietta .357s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted July 16, 2022 Share Posted July 16, 2022 No difference I have noticed except the cost. I will use either one and which ever one is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted July 17, 2022 Share Posted July 17, 2022 I can’t tell any difference at all! They cost more I do believe, so I think we’re being hoodwinked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anvil Al #59168 Posted July 17, 2022 Share Posted July 17, 2022 On 7/14/2022 at 10:54 PM, Widder, SASS #59054 said: When using powder that is cold temperature sensitive (actually less sensitive), a magnum primer will give more consistent and complete burn of your powder. When I talked with a couple primer manufacturer reps a few years back, both of them told me that magnum primers initiated a LONGER lasting flash to help ensure a more complete powder burn. They stated that the magnum primer WAS NOT hotter, but rather longer burning. Personally, when I used CLAY powder in my pistols with standard Federal primers, I got inconsistent burning of my powder and erratic performance of my reloads. When I switched to Federal MAGNUM primers, I started getting consistent performance from my reloads. All of this was cold weather results. I couldn't tell any difference in either primer performance during the summer months here in E.TN. ..........Widder Same for me. Federal Magnum is my preferred primer. Will shoot the regular primers in the summertime. But cooler to cold weather it's magnums only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc roy l. pain Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 I also agree with what Widder said. My chronograph can’t tell any difference till it gets below 50 degrees and then I start to see more consistency between shots using the magnum primers. I also prefer the magnum primers when using black powder subs like 777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 On 7/15/2022 at 5:51 PM, German Jim said: $1.20/Hundred!!! When did you get those? When central fire cartridges were invented. Yep he bought those as a 30th birthday present for himself. kR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted July 22, 2022 Share Posted July 22, 2022 i use both - id love to find some good pricing like that , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 On 7/17/2022 at 6:34 AM, Rye Miles #13621 said: I can’t tell any difference at all! They cost more I do believe, so I think we’re being hoodwinked! I was thinking hornswoggled but I'm not sure what that word means anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 12 minutes ago, Dantankerous said: I was thinking hornswoggled but I'm not sure what that word means anymore. Hornswoggled fits perfect!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 In our game........no difference at all. Shoot em if you got em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk Eyes Hudson Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Just replaced original springs with Wolf hammer 17lb and trigger 30lb in my 96' Bisley Vaquero 44 Mag. I guess when I take her our for a spin boys, I will find out if she;s gonna hunt and do her job. I will be shooting jacketed ammo as lead BP is far and few inbetween, these days. I have noticed that when I pull the trigger it seems to not drag when released but like it hangs and goes thru a reset configuration. I rechecked the install and could find no hiccup. That lightened spring strength is noticeable. Maybe it will smooth out with time. Also the shortage of BP ammo especially in my 44 - 4o Win makes me want to spit. Reloading will be a totally new game for me. I am looking at a Load-Master Reloading Press by Lee. I am sure it is not top of the line but cost and available add On's looks inviting. My main thought is longevity and functionality. If I could only find some brass? Comments welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggle Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 If you have certain loads that you have done before, they may not work as well with the more powerful primer in place. More importantly however, don't stick a magnum primer in there if you are at max or near max with your load. Honestly, the best way to handle this is to start all over with starting loads and your new magnum primers. And for the record, it doesn't have to be a "magnum" caliber to utilize a magnum primer, and a "magnum" caliber doesn't necessarily require a magnum primer. Where primers are concerned, magnum means that it burns hotter for longer. Where cartridges and calibers are concerned, "magnum" is nothing more than a name applied to it for marketability. We recognize a "magnum" round as one that is faster, heavier or more powerful than a similar one (or one it was based off of), but "magnum" in a caliber name is nothing more than a catchy name designed to attract buyers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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