Magnum primers?

[chris623]

I'm trying to work up a plinkin' load so my tiny (not kidding) wife can handle my .357 Blackhawk.  I'm using .357 cases, 4.6 gr Universal and small pistol primer with a 170 gr NOE Keith SWC bullet.  Since the volume of 4.6 gr Universal is so small I'm wondering what would be the advantages/disadvantages of using a magnum primer in place of the small pistol primer?  Never done that before, but thought you guys might have some comments that would help me.

[magnumwheelman]

you will likely see better accuracy with light loads, with the small pistol primers... so long as you arte using easy to light, fast pistol powders... but I would not load light loads with standard primers, for use in extreme cold conditions...

[chris623]

Why is that? And would you consider 4.6 gr Universal light enough to fit that warning?

[magnumwheelman]

the extreme cold conditions part???

squib loads are more likely in extreme cold

[chris623]

Oh, okay. Thought that was it, but was curious if it had to do with the light load.

[cherokeetracker]

Apr 7, 2016 13:56:21 GMT -5 chris623 said:

I'm trying to work up a plinkin' load so my tiny (not kidding) wife can handle my .357 Blackhawk.  I'm using .357 cases, 4.6 gr Universal and small pistol primer with a 170 gr NOE Keith SWC bullet.  Since the volume of 4.6 gr Universal is so small I'm wondering what would be the advantages/disadvantages of using a magnum primer in place of the small pistol primer?  Never done that before, but thought you guys might have some comments that would help me.

 I see that you are using 357 cases,,,, WHY ?  Is that all you have?  You would be better served with 38 SP cases instead. I realize that using 38 SP cases with a 173 grain bullet was something done to allow them to be used in the S&W 27 which had a shorter cylinder. I use 38 and 357 cases and ammo in my S&W, Blackhawk, and a Python. I use various loads, and I just loaded some for a friend that is very small and has small enough hands that it is difficult for her to hold a very large gun. I am telling you that a K frame is TOO big. She has to have a J frame, or a small 9mm or 380.  For her practice round I load her 38 SP  with 148 grain HBWC  and use 2.8 grains of WST .   OR  I load sometimes a 150 gr WC  with 3.7 grains of WST, These I get from Matt @ Mattsbullets.com  These have been accurate and with better results on Paper makes smiles all around.  I do not care how cold it gets, there has never been a problem. And I use Federal or Remington primers.   They are not as hot as CCI   No need for a magnum primer with any of these loads, including your universal recipe.  

   FWIW  You might get a little less kick or recoil with the lighter bullets instead of the 170 grain. ( That may be the only mold you have)  If so, I understand.

       I too thought of the old saying about the ring buildup with using 38 SP in a 357 ,, But WST is a very clean burning powder, and Universal is clean too.  SO if you have to do a little extra cleaning I would be surprised.  Remember that you can use a (copper) chore boy to obtain some copper strands, and wrap them around a brush to clean any leading. 

   Charels

[chris623]

Yes, Charels, I use .357 cases exclusively in both my Blackhawk and my Marlin 1894C Cowboy Ltd II. .38 Special cases won't cycle in my rifle and, yes, they ring my cylinder in the Blackhawk. I don't mind the cleaning, but if I have less of it to do, that's just that much less to have to mess with. The 170 gr Keith is the most accurate bullet I've found for either my rifle or revolver and cast my own from a newly available NOE Keith mold. Thanks for the suggested loads. Always lookin' for new ideas. Thanks for the primer recommendation. Right now I'm using CCI primers because they were all I could find when I made my purchase. I do have some Winchester Magnum Primers, but haven't used them much. I'm not really a magnum kind of guy.

[dougader]

I'd stay with standard primers. Universal lights up just fine without mag primers.

[cherokeetracker]

Stay with the CCI primers. If you can get some Green Dot powder it would probably give you better results in the 357 case. 3.5 - 4.0 grains should be right about where your wife can handle. If you decide to try the 150 grain wadcutters The same amount of Green Dot, (3.5) or the 3.7 grains of WST will work good for you. Good luck finding these shotgun powders if you decide to go this route. You should be able to do so.

[chris623]

I've never even seen Green Dot powder around here. I've only been loading for about 3 1/2 years, but have never seen it. If I get a chance to pick up some I'll give it a try.

[cherokeetracker]

Apr 7, 2016 19:21:51 GMT -5 chris623 said:

I've never even seen Green Dot powder around here. I've only been loading for about 3 1/2 years, but have never seen it. If I get a chance to pick up some I'll give it a try.

The other powder is Winchester Super target WST  FYI :   Both of these being shotgun powders. Just so you know.

          WST is cleaner burning of the two.  But Green Dot will fill the case better.  Hope this helps.  Look here for some more info: 
David Bradshaw Photos - LXXXII (82), Powder Coating Part 1

        It works in other calibers too.

                 Charles

[chris623]

Thanks, Charles, I'll see if I can find either.

[chris623]

Well Charles, I phoned all over the Oklahoma City area and found a single 1 lb can of WST.............but they wanted $32 for it. Don't want it that bad! Nobody had any Green Dot.

[cherokeetracker]

Gene Sears in EL Reno OK has it for 18.00 and change per pound. Just got off the phone with them. ph. 800-522-3314 8:30 -5:30 M-F Closed Sat and Sun

They did not have Green Dot either. I have had a hard time finding it and Unique for about a year.

[chris623]

I called them yesterday and found the same thing. Only problem is its a two hour round trip from my place to Gene's. That's a bunch of fuel. If I needed something else from him I'd not mind the drive.