Hey guys,

Most of my load data books say they use WLP primers for high power loadings for the .44. Even with the full house loads with H110, they still use them. I thought that these loads required magnum primers. Then, I got to looking at the box, and they even state that they are for normal or magnum loads. Is this why these primers are ussually more expensive than other brands, like cci? I thought magnum primers created higher pressure conditions? Any insite would be great!

thanks,
vanbuzen9

Most pistol loads don't need magnum primers. Changing primer brands can cause difference in pressure (as much as 10,000) regardless if magnum or non magnum is used. In fact some non magnum primers are 'hotter' than magnum primers of a different brands. Ultimately the primer has less affect on pressure than either the powder used or the bullet and even less than the brand of case used. I stick with one brand of primers and work up loads with a chron which tells me what relative pressures are being produced. Once I'm in the ballpark the loads are tuned by varying the powder amount (although one can't reduce some powder loads much e.g. W 296) and lastly the bullet seating. In the case with pistol loads the crimp can be a bigger factor on pressure uniformity than than the primer or even powder used.

They charge the same rate for all primers where I buy, unless they are benchrest. Never heard of someone charging more for WLP's over the standard LP's.

I know that this one of the odd things in reloading. I don't believe Winchester makes a large pistol mag primer. Many reloaders use large mag pistol primers for 44 mag, some just use it with the 296, h110, and h4227 powders. I just checked my last buy on bricks of primers from a local and they were all the same price, bought at the same time.
I trust Winchester component's and buy them,except large pistol mag primers.
Jim

Interestingly in our testing, for most applications in the .44 Spcl, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, the WLP primers have delivered the absolute best ballistic uniformity across the board! Lowest ES and SD values when developing loads, that is why most of the data I share using our bullets in these calibers specifies WLP primers.

In our locality, WLP primers are the same price as the other brands.

I use WLP's for my 44 mag also. I've been geting a few duds every now and again with my "Nancy" loads (5.5 bullseye gr 250 gr kieth) they always go off on the second try tho.I haven't had this problem before and don't seem to have it with my "Sven" loads. Any one have an answer?

I used to use Remington pistol primers but the wimpchesters are easier to come by these days.

I've had no probs with the WLP's. I use them in 10mm, 45 ACP, 38-40, 41 Mag, 44 Mag and Special, full range of .45 Colt stuff and the .480. I used to be a dedicated Federal man, but since I've moved here the Win primers are by far the least expensive as a result of buying them in bulk from a supplier who also produces reloaded ammunition. I still use the Federal for most of my rifle applications, but I'm fully satisfied with the blue box Winchester primers for most all handgun work. I used to avoid Win primers like the plague in a few revolvers that had light spring kits in them..no prob with the blue box stuff...must have changed more than the packages. I think I paid around $11/1000 for the last cases.

One interesting sidelight to this question is for users of The wonderful Lee auto prime. I believe they recommend not using Winchester primers. I've always used CCI primers because I believe in supporting local businesses, but for you folks using the autoprime you might want to check the instructions.

I've used CCI magnum primers for all the cases, rifle or revolver, I use for the last ten years or so. I'ts just easier for me to not have to fiddle with different kinds of primers. This makes only two types of primers I have to buy, Rifle and Pistol. I can't tell any difference in accuracy since I changed over to this system.

I don't know why Winchester stopped nickel plating their primers but I know I don't like it. Now their primers tarnish with age and they are not as slick when being seated or decapped. I have switched back to CCIs as I see no difference in performance between the two. This is just a personal thing as Winchester primers work just fine and I have been using them and CCIs for years. :rolleyes:

It might be that the Redhawk has a weak spring. I'm sure I didn't get them mixed up with any large rifle primers. I had a load for my KGP161 that I used small rifle primers in and every one went off. :confused:

If I have any more problems I'll probably trade these to Sam for some of his wife's chocolate chip cookies :D

I use WLP's for my 44 mag also. I've been geting a few duds every now and again with my "Nancy" loads (5.5 bullseye gr 250 gr kieth) they always go off on the second try tho.I haven't had this problem before and don't seem to have it with my "Sven" loads. Any one have an answer?

I used to use Remington pistol primers but the wimpchesters are easier to come by these days.

I usually look for evidence of incomplete primer seating in this type of case. Light loaded casings last forever and can accumulate quite a bit of primer residue in the pockets which can also cause this type of problem, probably more likely if in conjunction with a weak spring..be it from intentional lightening or the spring being tired. Always seems that double action shooting, more likely with light loads, will produce a misfire if it's going to happen in a DA revolver. Can't tell you why, but those are a few scenarios that come to mind.

My local dealer was out of CCI`s about a year ago; and I went ahead, and bought some WLP primers and used them on some 44 mag loads. If I remember right they were med loads 12gr Blue dot ? anyway I had a couple of duds myself! I was disapointed, and went back and got some CCI`s after they got them in. I know for a fact there wasn`t anything wrong with the gun. I never had a dud using CCI primers. Plus the factory is right down the HWY, makes me feel good to keeping those ol` boys in business.

As indicated, I've never paid more for the WLP primers than CCI or Federal. I've never had a misfire or problem of any kind with the WLP .....with one exception. I do have a .44 mag. that has lighter springs and I do get some misfires with both CCI and WLP, but Federal seems to require less striking force and I've never had a misfire with the std. Federal primer so that rumor must be true.

One of my main reasons for standardizing on the WLP is I do all my reloading on Dillon 550 and 650 machines, and when I switch from a H110 load to a Bullseye load, I don't need to empty the primer tube which is a rather tedious task......just use the same primer for all loads.

Dan

kciH: now why didn't I think of that. :rolleyes: I do keep my "nancy" brass seperate from the "sven" brass, which might explain why the magnum loads haven't had any hangfires. Plus the fact they don't get reloaded as much. These cases have been shot ????'s of times and all I've ever done to them is the occasional tumble. As this batch gets emptied I'll have to scrape out the primer pockets.

At one time I was having problems with reloads misfiring with my Ruger revolver. I called the factory and they said they dont warrantee reloads will fire in their guns. Fired up a bunch of factory ammo with no problem. Took the gun to a smith and he said the transfer bar is sometimes a little thin. He added a little thickness to the bar and I never had another problem.