What Primer Do You Use To Make Major?

[Flyin40]

I been thinking about changing primers and wondered what primers everyone uses to make major. I'm looking more for open shooters. I can get a deviation of 80fps with Universal powder and small pistol primer. Some say the small rifle or magnum small pistol helps out with a more consistent shot to shot fps avg.

I have to load to 175pf just to make sure I don't get the 3 rounds pulled doesn't put me in minor. I would like to drop it to about 168 or 169 pf to can't chance it with my current load.

Flyin40

[BritinUSA]

In theory you shouldn't need small rifle primers or magnum. These primers tend to be a tad harder than normal pistol primers. If you are getting this amount of variation then you may want to check your press.

Some things to look out for:

1. Make sure that powder is not spilling out as the shell plate rotates.

2. Try different makes of powder, vihtavouri seems to me to be very consistent with regard to velocity. There may be other brands that others are more familiar with. I've only ever used vit. powder and it works for me.

[kevin c]

I get a small but predictable increase in velocity in my major VV320 loads in .40, but the difference is too small to be a factor in making major PF. Others have posted here that they see no difference at all. I mainly use Winchester small rifle primers because they are harder, and, once upon a time, I had primer flow issues that caused light hits from brass in the FP channel.

[Flyin40]

I have been told by several people that also use Universal that they run into the same thing. I have found quite a few post that also say it. The load really works great for me but I just wanted to get a more consistent shot to shot in fps.

I shoot a 40 open and usually put the bullets around 1300 fps just so I don't have to worry. I have never come close to going minor but it would only take one time to spoil a big match.

Flyin40

[ipscbob]

The load really works great for me but I just wanted to get a more consistent shot to shot in fps.

Flyin40

Why fix what isn't broken?

[Flyin40]

I like the feel of the load at 168-169pf much better. At 175pf is a different feel. If I can't get a more consistent fps shot to shot I'll just stay with what I have. Not trying to fix it, just trying to make it alittle better

Flyin40

[Harmon]

try the federal 200s, they seem to work good with major 9mm and major 38s...plus minor 9mms, and all kinds of 40s.

[revchuck]

try the federal 200s, they seem to work good with major 9mm and major 38s...plus minor 9mms, and all kinds of 40s.

+1 - and they're good in .38 Special and .357 Magnum as well, assuming your gun isn't Fed 100-only.

[Harmon]

the fed100 only guns are like having a street car that wont run on anything but 100 octane race gas...

the fed 200 primers are almost as sensitive, but are tough enough for the major9mm

[Dream]

I use wsr and run a 172pf and the lowset i have ever came across the crono is 171

Edited March 7, 2006 by Dream

[kevin c]

I kind of thought that the variance in velocities from round to round with all the Clays powders was mostly due to the variability in the powder drop from round to round (the flake powders being prone to bridging, to inconsistent settling and packing in the powder bar). If that is the case, would trying to burn a powder charge more completely using a magnum or rifle primer make any difference if the variation from charge to charge is, say, on the order of three tenths of a grain?

[.40AET]

Testing different primers is a hell of a lot easier than fiddlin' around with different powders. Buy a 100 of SR and SPM and see if either is able to tighten up the spread. If your talking about Extream spread (ES) of 80 then I would want to tighten that up. If your talking about a standard deviation (SD) of 80 then I would look for a new load.

Sorry, I'm half asleep. What bullet and powder are you using?

OK...Universal clays and what weight bullet?

Edited March 7, 2006 by .40AET

[Flyin40]

The 80fps is the extreme spread. Its not always that high. Just showing that is its been 80fps once it could happen again.

I know with Universal some people found that when the case is not full its hard to get a consistent fps.

My load is as follows

135gr bullet

Universal powder

1.135-1.160 I ran 1.135 last yr and trying 1.160

Winchester small pistol primers

40 caliber

Part of the problem is getting some warm weather and the time to get out and chrono some loads. I haven't done it since last yr. I'll load up some different primers first and see how that goes when the weather breaks.

I just know I read somewhere the rifle primers can cause corrision. Just looking for that type of info and experience with the different kinds.

Also using 7.2-7.3 gr puts the case pretty full. I just want to make sure all the powder is being used everytime. I'm think that a little more primer would take care of that.

Right or Wrong idea????

Flyin40

Edited March 7, 2006 by Flyin40

[.40AET]

I just want to make sure all the powder is being used everytime.

That's one of the reasons to change to SR primers. I called CCI when started loading .40 to ask about the differences in SR and SP primers. Their response was: SR primers have a longer flame pattern than the SP primers. This is needed to ignite all of the powder in a rifle case which is twice the size of a pistol case. Changing to SR primers helped a lot in getting the powder to burn completely when I was using VV N330 which is close to Universal Clays in burn rate.

Sorry to change the subject to powder, but have you tried HS-6 or Longshot? You should get more gas to work the comp better with a slower powder.

I just know I read somewhere the rifle primers can cause corrision.

If you're asking about breechface errosion with SR primers, I doubt that you will get that from a major load in an open gun. The pressure will seal the primer in the pocket. Minor .40 loads with SR are more of a concern. I have around 55k on my limited gun with major .40 loads and all SR primers. No signs of errosion to date.

Good Luck.

[Flyin40]

I just want to make sure all the powder is being used everytime.

That's one of the reasons to change to SR primers. I called CCI when started loading .40 to ask about the differences in SR and SP primers. Their response was: SR primers have a longer flame pattern than the SP primers. This is needed to ignite all of the powder in a rifle case which is twice the size of a pistol case. Changing to SR primers helped a lot in getting the powder to burn completely when I was using VV N330 which is close to Universal Clays in burn rate.

Sorry to change the subject to powder, but have you tried HS-6 or Longshot? You should get more gas to work the comp better with a slower powder.

I just know I read somewhere the rifle primers can cause corrision.

If you're asking about breechface errosion with SR primers, I doubt that you will get that from a major load in an open gun. The pressure will seal the primer in the pocket. Minor .40 loads with SR are more of a concern. I have around 55k on my limited gun with major .40 loads and all SR primers. No signs of errosion to date.

Good Luck.

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. How dirty are those powders???? I have not tried either one.

Flyin40

[.40AET]

Buy a pound of each and work up a load. I've been using HS-6 all winter and like it. Vihtavuori is the only powder that I have found to be clean. The rest I just clean my gun more. I bought a pound of Longshot but haven't tried it yet. Hodgdon said that it was similar to HS-7 which is good and slow.

I forgot to mention. Plenty of guys have success with SP primers, I just prefer SR for major loads.

[eric nielsen]

With my 9Major Glock and my STI 38super I get the lowest SD & MAD numbers with CCI small rifle, also the lowest avg velocities with CCI, but only like 20fps slower.

They also deform by far the least and went off in the Glock more reliably than WSR, less reliably than FSP and FSR. Not too thrilled with WSR primers any more.

As far as powders I just tried Alliant Power Pistol in the super & really liked the recoil impulse. Soft and only a little more flippy than HS6 but starting with the 3rd shot there were HUGE WHITE FLAMEBALLS eventually on every shot. Cheap powder, if it works in your Open gun without flameballs I'd say it's a very good choice.