[NMG26]

So I am on my third box of 1000 primers.

The first box I don't remember.

The second box was Remington 5.5 Small Pistol Primers. I loaded both 38 special and 357 magnum with these.

Today when I went to buy primers I found out that they had 1.5 and 5.5. I guessed the one was for magnum and the other for small pistol other then magnum

My 38 special rounds always seemed a bit hot and I guess the reason was that I was using magnum primers. So I am wondering if it is ok to use magnum primers for 38 special? Any harm? The 1000 rounds I loaded did not seem have any real problem.

[ChrisJn]

Originally Posted by NMG26

So I am on my third box of 1000 primers.

The first box I don't remember.

The second box was Remington 5.5 Small Pistol Primers. I loaded both 38 special and 357 magnum with these.

Today when I went to buy primers I found out that they had 1.5 and 5.5. I guessed the one was for magnum and the other for small pistol other then magnum

My 38 special rounds always seemed a bit hot and I guess the reason was that I was using magnum primers. So I am wondering if it is ok to use magnum primers for 38 special? Any harm? The 1000 rounds I loaded did not seem have any real problem.

Remington No.11/2 Small Pistol Primers carries a warning on the box not to use them for high intensity pistol cartridges such as 357 magnum,357 Sig, and the .40S&W.
Remington 51/2 Small Pistol Primers are Magnum primers.

[Kentguy]

NMG26... "So I am wondering if it is ok to use magnum primers for 38 special?"

Only reason to run magnum primers with this caliber is if you are runing "hotter" rounds (+P type stuff) with slower powders or if you are going to shoot these rounds in temp's colder than 20 degrees.

Most loads for a 38 special it is unnecessary (and not recommended) to use magnum primers.

"...Any harm?"

Short term - no

Long term effects (i'm talking thousands of rounds), not sure, lets just say, to be on the safe side, I wouldn't make a steady diet out of that though.

[NMG26]

Originally Posted by ChrisJn

Remington No.11/2 Small Pistol Primers carries a warning on the box not to use them for high intensity pistol cartridges such as 357 magnum,357 Sig, and the .40S&W.
Remington 51/2 Small Pistol Primers are Magnum primers.

The boxes for the 1.5 and the 5.5 are identical. There is no call out for magnum on the the 5.5.

[17&27]

Originally Posted by NMG26

The boxes for the 1.5 and the 5.5 are identical. There is no call out for magnum on the the 5.5.

There is on Remington's website. 5.5 in 40S&W, 357Sig, etc.

[ChrisJn]

Originally Posted by NMG26

The boxes for the 1.5 and the 5.5 are identical. There is no call out for magnum on the the 5.5.

Just saying what's on the box. You might find this useful:
http://www.handloads.com/misc/primers.asp

[NMG26]

Originally Posted by ChrisJn

Just saying what's on the box. You might find this useful:
http://www.handloads.com/misc/primers.asp

Thanks.

I bought these from a display cabinet. That is why I did not notice that they were magnum. On most websites they are called out as magnum. I've learned a bit from surfing the the web and from discussion boards. Thanks again.

Loaded 50 rounds of 357 and 25 rounds of 38 special with the mag primers. I used 158 grain LSWC for both rounds. 5.5 grains for 357 and a mild 4.3 for 38 special. Not sure when I will get out to shoot them.