The Mysteries of the Necessary Pistol Primer

The majority of component primers feature the small piece of paper that is placed between the anvil and the priming mix. This is known as foil paper and is used to cover the priming pellet. This view is clearer without the anvil.

It is indeed difficult to locate those small items that we simply cannot do without now. If this rush follows past trends, it will pass. Let's talk about some of the lesser-known facts about primers as we fret about whether we're getting enough.

Many readers are aware that the 209 primers perform more than one thing. It provides sparks that ignite propellant and also gives an increase in pressure that allows propellant to sustain a self-sustaining burn. It is also part of the sealing system of the case that helps keep hot gases behind the bullet and away from your face. U.S. handloaders have a selection of sizes for primers and the purpose. There are two sizes available for rifles and handguns.

It is crucial to think about the size of your business

The first piece of interesting trivia is that even though Small Rifle and Small Pistol primer pockets share the same depth specification, Large Rifle and Large Pistol primers do not. The standard pocket of a Large Pistol primer is somewhat shallower than its Large Rifle counterpart, specifically, 0.008 to 0.009 inch less.

This was discovered by many handloaders as the "mega-magnum" handgun cartridges, first appeared couple of years back. Original cases were created to accommodate Large Pistol primers. In order to better handle high pressures, some reloaders changed to Large Rifle primers. They found that rifle primers were sticking out of the case heads and this was a pity scenario for a revolver that has a high recoil cartridge.

Primer Equivalency

Many articles have been written on the different characteristics of primer brands. Over the years, there have been tests to determine the effect of primer substitution. As a labrat for so long I'm aware that the road to success does not come without bumps.

A number of people requested to include an overview chart of primers in my Speer manuals, which lists the primer types each primer maker uses. It is not possible to find the charts in my books. Why? In the first place, it can cause a dangerous situation if we change primer brands to those in the manual. The second is the reliability of information. A chart listing primer sizes and manufacturer's numbers was published in one of Speer's manuals I previously handled. One company changed its system of numbering and made it difficult to list a foreign company. Hardcover books are almost like engraving in stone, and I was not looking for a chart that may be outdated prior to the book running its course to create problems.

Similar to the debate about "which is hotter or colder" There is an identical issue: primer specification changes. CCI overhauled its entire primer line in 1989. We made sure that the new primers could be able to share load data from older models, however there is no way to announce every change. Another instance is when a primer manufacturer introduced a change that altered the results of a test done by a friend of mine.

Here's a classic example of a print error being taken as gospel: Another company's reloading manual had a chart of primer numbers and types that incorrectly portrayed the CCI Benchrest primer as being compatible with the CCI Magnum primer. This was repeated in many versions of the manual until we finally convinced the company to correct it. The public would contact CCI and demand that the Benchrest primer was an Magnum since it was published that way in the manual of another company.

Magnum Primers: Use as Directed

Most primer makers offer the standard and Magnum primer in each size and type of application. The Magnum primer offers more power for difficult ignition scenarios. A huge capacity case, a heavily inhibited propellant, or cold temperatures (less than 20°F) generally makes 209 primers desirable.

Bottom line

If I make a primer performance equivalence chart now, it's likely to be obsolete, and some poor sod might try to replace primers based on incorrect information. My editor has suggested I perform a primer test using a handgun. I'm sorry for this suggestion. The Mysteries of the All Important Primer

A lot of component primers contain a small piece of paper that is placed between the anvil and mixing mixture for priming. Called the foil paper, it is used to cover a pellet of priming and is simply a manufacturing expediency. This view is clearer without the anvil.

It is indeed difficult to find the small things that we simply cannot do without now. This will change in the event that this trend is similar to past trends. We need to know obscure facts regarding primers prior to we get worried about not having enough.

I'm sure that most readers are aware that 209 primers have multiple functions. In addition to creating a spark that ignites propellant, it gives an initial increase in pressure that helps propellant to achieve an self-sustaining burning. It is also part of the case sealing system, which keeps hot gases out of your face and behind the bullet. It is the U.S. handloaders can choose from a range of primer sizes and functions. There are distinct versions for rifles and handguns.

It is crucial to think about the size of your business

The most important bit of information is that, even though Small Rifle and Small Pistol primer pockets have the same depth specifications, Large Rifle and Large Pistol primers do not. Large Pistol primers have a standard pocket that is 0.008 to 0.09 inches smaller than their Large Rifle counterparts.

A number of handloaders found this out when the "mega-magnum" handgun cartridges was introduced in the past few years. Original cases were formed to accommodate Large weapon. Reloaders who were reloading decided to change to Large Rifle primers to better manage the pressures that were high, and discovered that rifle primers stood proud of the head of the case, which is unsettling when using a high-recoil revolver cartridge.

Primer Equivalency

Many articles have been written about the differences between primer brands. Since the beginning, there has been testing conducted to find out the impact on the effect of primer replacement. As an experimental labrat for so many years, I know that the road to success does not come without bumps.

We received a lot of requests to add an primer chart to the Speer manuals that I created to show what the different primer makers refer to their primer types. Note that there are no these charts in my books. Whyis that? First, changing the primer brand that are different from those we use in the manual could result in an unsafe condition. Second is accuracy of information. One of the Speer manuals before I took over printed a lovely chart of the sizes of primers and the manufacturer's numbers. One company altered its system of numbering and made it impossible to include a foreign-owned brand. The hardcover book can be like engraving things on stone. I wanted a chart that might become outdated prior to the publication.

Similar to the argument about "which is hotter or colder" There's the same issue with the primer's specification has changed. CCI redesigned its whole primer line in the year 1989. We made sure the new primers could utilize load data from older versions, not all the changes were made public. Another example is when another primer manufacturer changed their design that altered the results of a test performed by a colleague of mine.

Here's an illustration of a print error being taken as gospel. A table of primer types and numbers was included in a reloading manual published by another company. It incorrectly indicated that CCI Benchrest primer was interchangeable with the CCI Magnum primer. This was perpetuated over many editions of the manual before we persuaded the company to correct it. CCI was referred to by those who wanted to know if the Benchrest primer was actually a Magnum because it was published in another company's guide.

Magnum Primers: Use as Directed

Most primer makers offer both a standard and Magnum primer in every size and for each. For difficult ignition conditions, the Magnum primer has more power. A large-capacity case, an extremely deterred propellant, or extremely cold temperatures (less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit) typically makes the 209 primers desirable.

Conclusion

A primer performance equivalence table will soon become obsolete if I release it today. Someone else will attempt to substitute primers based on incorrect information. My editor suggested I conduct a handgun primer test. I am sorry for this suggestion. Use current and published load recipes.