pistol primer or rifle primer for 32-20?

[W.E.G.]

First post on this forum.

I'm going to be loading for the 32-20 soon.

I'll be shooting the loads in a new Marlin and a 1907 K-frame Smith and Wesson.

Is there a consensus on rifle vs. pistol primer?

[pokey]

the 32wcf specialists will be along,

but welcome to the show.

[J Miller]

W.E.G.,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not a 32-20 hand loader but I do load for rifle/handgun combos.
Since the SR and SP are the same height I'd try 'em both and see if both my guns would reliably fire them. The S&W might or might not. The Marlin should.



Joe

[AJMD429]

I've seen several reloading manuals 'authoritatively' state one - or - the other.

SR's were hard to find for awhile due to .223's being bought up.

Since the SR and SP are the same height I'd try 'em both and see if both my guns would reliably fire them.

Joe, am I right in thinking that both size Rifle primers are generally stiffer/tougher metal to withstand higher pressures

and that both size Pistol primers are generally softer and easier to detonate...

and that the Large Rifle ones are higher/thicker than the Large Pistol...

but that the Small Rifle ones are the same height/thickness as the Small Pistol...

Then the "Magnum" ones of each I assume must throw more flame, and maybe be stiffer/tougher as well...

If so, then I wonder if a "SP Magnum" primer would be any different than an "SR" primer...

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Oh, I almost forgot. . . . . . WELCOME to Leverguns...

And Pokey's right; some .32-20 experts will be along shortly; I think it's one of Hobie's favorites, and YK has been drooling for one for a couple years now.

[J Miller]

I've seen several reloading manuals 'authoritatively' state one - or - the other.

SR's were hard to find for awhile due to .223's being bought up.

Since the SR and SP are the same height I'd try 'em both and see if both my guns would reliably fire them.

Joe, am I right in thinking that both size Rifle primers are generally stiffer/tougher metal to withstand higher pressures
Yep.

and that both size Pistol primers are generally softer and easier to detonate...
Yep.

and that the Large Rifle ones are higher/thicker than the Large Pistol...
Yep.

but that the Small Rifle ones are the same height/thickness as the Small Pistol...
The SR are the same height as the SP, but I'm not sure about the same cup thickness.

Then the "Magnum" ones of each I assume must throw more flame, and maybe be stiffer/tougher as well...
I "think" the mag versions are the same cup thickness as the standard versions.

If so, then I wonder if a "SP Magnum" primer would be any different than an "SR" primer...
I honestly can't answer that question as I've never compared them. I've always used LP or SP in handgun cartridges and LR or SR in rifle cartridges.
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Oh, I almost forgot. . . . . . WELCOME to Leverguns...

And Pokey's right; some .32-20 experts will be along shortly; I think it's one of Hobie's favorites, and YK has been drooling for one for a couple years now.

Sorry I can't be much more help. Personally I don't see any need for SR primers in the 32-20. The pressure really isn't close to a full house .357 so you don't need the thicker cups. And older guns like that S&W will either have a mainspring that can crush granite or a tired one that barely fires Federal primers. That's why I kinda said let the guns decide.

Joe

[Terry Murbach]

SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS.
CCI 500.
WSP.
R-P 1 1/2.

[kimwcook]

Starline recommends small pistol primers for their cases.

And, if Terry says it I'd be hard pressed to do anything different.

[jdad]

WSP

[Leverdude]

I always used SR primers & never saw a need to change, though I'v used SP in a pinch.

[W.E.G.]

Many thanks y'all for the replies.

I figgered there might be some debate on this one.
I will take it from the replies that EXPERIMENTATION is permissible.
I'm not new to guns, reloading or gun-boards, so I promise not to blow myself up.

I am considering that the 100-year-old K-frame might not be the strongest primer whacker on the block.

To the extent that THICKNESS of the primer cup means anything, this is all I know:

(from http://www.jamescalhoon.com/primers_and_pressure.php )

[W.E.G.]

I'll also point out that Mr. Calhoon tells us in that same article:
"(As a note of interest, small pistol primers are .017" thick and large pistol primers are .020" thick)"

I'll probably be sure not use the small PISTOL primers in my atomic 32-20 loads in the Marlin.

I've been known to load some hot loads in my lever guns, but I knows how to fix 'em if I gets in trouble.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I am sure you wont get in trouble using either primer type in the .32-20. That said I have always used SR in mine and have seen no reason to change.
OOPS SR.... NOT LR !!

[BenT]

Brian Pierce from Handloader recomended SR primers for hot rifle loads using H110. I use the load in my Marlin but I wouldn't use it in the S&W.

[Goat]

I have been loading the 32/20 for only about four years or so but I have only used small rifle primers but would bet that my cast/plinking load would do fine with the small pistol primer. Why not try both and then give us a report?
Goat