Avid reader of posts on NES, and have learned alot. Now I would like to add to the reloading information stored here.
Today I reloaded some .357 Magnum, with the main goal of seeing what actually happens when you use small rifle primers vs small magnum pistol primers. (im out of small pistol magnum primers, but i have a good supply of small rifle primers)
And before the flurry of people warning against not following prescribed loading data in published manuals - I agree, for safety, one should follow verified published loads. But sometimes I have find answers myself. And I like to inform other reloaders with real data, not hypothesis.
so here goes - all rounds loaded with 158gr FMJ, 16.5 gr H110, virgin starline brass. I tested with Fed 200 small rifle/small pistol magnum primers as my control. I then tested Fed 205 SR, WSR, and CCI 41 (for 5.56mm). I shot from a TRR8 revolver with 5" barrel, and a Rossi R92 with 16" barrel. 5 shots of each load, one for velocity, a second for general accuracy. The test gave some very concrete results.
- First up, velocity -
Fed 200 Small pistol magnum/small rifle primers - the control
TRR8 -- Rossi
1050 fps SD 45 -- 1632 fps SD 16
Fed 205 small rifle primers
1042 fps SD 46 -- 1628 fps SD 31
WSR small rifle primers
1025 fps SD 55 -- 1605 fps SD 11
CCI 41(for 5.56mm)
1074 fps SD 65 -- 1655 fps SD 22
Looking at avg FPS and SD, no huge difference in performance using small rifle primers for 357 magnum reloading
Next Accuracy
TRR8 revolver, FED 200 load - accuracy was on par with my normal ability
Using any of the 3 small rifle primers - my groups were consistently 4-5x LARGER, and no real grouping, they were all over the place. It was ugly.
Rossi 16" R92, FED 200 load - accuracy was on par with my norm
Using any of the small rifle primers - my groups stayed the SAME SIZE as the FED 200, and very acceptable
In conclusion, can you safely substitute small rifle primers for small pistol magnum primers in 357, I say yes.
Should you? If loading for a revolver, NO, its not worth the crappy accuracy
for a rifle - yes - worked just fine
As to WHY accuracy suffered in the revolver vs rifle - well thats a whole other topic/rabbit hole to explore.
Today I reloaded some .357 Magnum, with the main goal of seeing what actually happens when you use small rifle primers vs small magnum pistol primers. (im out of small pistol magnum primers, but i have a good supply of small rifle primers)
And before the flurry of people warning against not following prescribed loading data in published manuals - I agree, for safety, one should follow verified published loads. But sometimes I have find answers myself. And I like to inform other reloaders with real data, not hypothesis.
so here goes - all rounds loaded with 158gr FMJ, 16.5 gr H110, virgin starline brass. I tested with Fed 200 small rifle/small pistol magnum primers as my control. I then tested Fed 205 SR, WSR, and CCI 41 (for 5.56mm). I shot from a TRR8 revolver with 5" barrel, and a Rossi R92 with 16" barrel. 5 shots of each load, one for velocity, a second for general accuracy. The test gave some very concrete results.
- First up, velocity -
Fed 200 Small pistol magnum/small rifle primers - the control
TRR8 -- Rossi
1050 fps SD 45 -- 1632 fps SD 16
Fed 205 small rifle primers
1042 fps SD 46 -- 1628 fps SD 31
WSR small rifle primers
1025 fps SD 55 -- 1605 fps SD 11
CCI 41(for 5.56mm)
1074 fps SD 65 -- 1655 fps SD 22
Looking at avg FPS and SD, no huge difference in performance using small rifle primers for 357 magnum reloading
Next Accuracy
TRR8 revolver, FED 200 load - accuracy was on par with my normal ability
Using any of the 3 small rifle primers - my groups were consistently 4-5x LARGER, and no real grouping, they were all over the place. It was ugly.
Rossi 16" R92, FED 200 load - accuracy was on par with my norm
Using any of the small rifle primers - my groups stayed the SAME SIZE as the FED 200, and very acceptable
In conclusion, can you safely substitute small rifle primers for small pistol magnum primers in 357, I say yes.
Should you? If loading for a revolver, NO, its not worth the crappy accuracy
for a rifle - yes - worked just fine
As to WHY accuracy suffered in the revolver vs rifle - well thats a whole other topic/rabbit hole to explore.