Some years ago, probably 7-8, I primed & loaded 100 rounds of .223 before I realized I’d used pistol primers. My note doesn’t mention what brand of primers, but it’s almost surely Winchester. I’d put them aside. Now, with shortages of most everything needed to feed our AR’s I’m wondering if I can safely shoot them? I could also shoot them in a Savage Tactical. Thanks in advance.
As far as I know the only danger is not getting a “hot enough” burn and not igniting all of the powder. The cups are not as hard either. I would feel comfortable trying some being careful of a squib but iI have never really looked into it much.
Don’t do it. The standard small pistol primers aren’t meant for that kind of pressure. Even worse in an AR with the possibility of slam fires.
This^
Don’t do it. For all the reasons stated above. Best case scenario is inconsistent weak ignition. Worst case scenario is pierced primers, or a bullet lodged in the barrel.
shoot more pistol!
DON’T! Pistol primer cups aren’t hard enough for rifle pressures. A missfire could be the best outcome. Slamfires or pierced/ruptured primers are likely.
I’ve used srp for pistol and spp for rifle during this drought when I can’t find proper components. I don’t condone this practice but I worked up a new load beginning at the starting load and watched closely for pressure signs…ymmv:smile:
Just a hundred rounds? I’d pull them down and recycle everything into a new batch of ammo.
I’m running the Forster Collet bullet puller die with is ideal for these kind of projects. The kinetic hammer sucks for 223 most of the time… bullet is too light.
I agree the hammer does suck. I’ll have to look into the Forester for the next time I make a mistake.
I love it. I pull all kinds of 223 down. Pulled several hundred S&B factory rounds down that were blowing primers. Put the steel bullets aside for a beater barrel and used the primed brass to load stash ammo.
I can only stand to pull 20-50 rounds down at a time. It will make you nuts. But the die is cool. Bullets come out perfect for reuse.
Forster Collet Bullet Puller: Poor reviews at Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/product/419303/forster-collet-style-bullet-puller
To the credit of some of those dumb dumbs that struggle with it. The die is tricky to get set up. You can’t see where the collet contacts the bullet. So it is trial and error. I’ve also found that putting some grease in the threads makes the die run smoother when you’re pulling a lot of rounds down.
But once you get it set up right. It’s a million times better than the kinetic. Never tried the hornady lever version… so i can’t really say if I’d prefer it or not.
I have this one,works great also !!! http://www.midwayusa.com/product/680804/rcbs-collet-bullet-puller?cm_vc=subv1737910 Looks pretty much like the Forster,but costs more,
I lucked out,found it used at a local gun shop,paid like $12 bucks for it with a 45 & 30 cal collet,had to buy a couple different collets for other calibers I use it on,but still got a decent deal !!!
Just shoot them in a pistol AR… Joking…
You could single shot them if you are worried of slam fires. Ride the charge handle down. I would have a hard time thinking they would slam fire unless the primers are not fully seated or you puncture a cup and the firing pin hangs onto it. How hot are they loaded?
55Gr. Rem PSP (old bulk purchase from Midway years ago) over 25 grains of H335 in LC cases.
I have both the Forster Collet Bullet Puller and the Hornady. I much prefer the Hornady tool.
H335 needs a hot primer for good ignition. A pistol primer is probably not hot enough. 25gr of H335 behind a 55gr bullet is near a max SAAMI load. I use it regularly. I would not use a pistol primer with this load.
I had to know. Sunday I fired 5 rounds in each of 2 AR’s and a Mini-14. Results, no issues. No hangfires, no pierced primers & fired primers looked fairly normal. well flattened but again, nothing unusual. I didn’t fire for accuracy but I will next time as I’m gonna shoot them up.
I often had the same question. Is the primer cup for a pistol primer made out of softer metal?
I may have to try this with some WOLF small pistol primers I have. Not sure if it’s a too thick cup issue, but I get 1/50 that wont fire. They have compound in the cups, but they don’t fire in several pistols.