I know quite a few people (myself included) have had good luck with small rifle primers in 9mm. I accidentally bought small pistol mag primers the other day, and am wondering how much difference there is. From my research they’re a little hotter than small rifle. I’m using VV 3n37 powder with 115 gr FMJ’s lately. Not looking to push the envelope on velocity.
Please save the “better go by the manual” comments for glocktalk and arfcom. I’m looking for advice from experienced people who have tried this combo, or similar setups. Obviously I should start on the low end of the spectrum and work my way up.
A 115 gr. bullet and VV 3n37 is a good combo for 9mm major loads. I have been using MSP primers for two years since the great primer shortage. They were all I could find for sale, avoided them for as long as I could. I asked an experienced reloader who told me they would make little to no difference in the 9mm minor loads I was loading. Only difference he pointed out was they were designed for more even ignition. Why they wouldn’t do this for all primers, at the same price, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ve been using them with no ill effect. Work your way up, watch for pressure signs.
Ive been waiting for the temperature to come down before I try them in 9mm but the consensus has been it should work fine but drop you load and work it up again looking for signs of pressure to be safe.
cool… thanks guys. I’ll make some min loads and work it up slowly.
I usually only run about halfway between the min and max loads in the book. I should pick up a chronograph, but for the kind of shooting i do mostly (9mm pistols inside of 75 feet) it probably doesn’t make a lot of difference…
What problems did you had? I’ve never had any problems with normal small pistol primers in 9 mm (several tens of thousands loaded and fired, with many brands of primers)… I chrono my loads, do accuracy and function testing, etc. no problems ever. Same with several friends. And of course same thing with factory loads, all use non magnum primers.
Due to primer shortage at one time I have used magnum primers in 9 mm as well, no problems whatsoever (working up the load, of course).
I have had no issues (assume you’re talking to me? )
i actually haven’t even opened the box yet. just bought the damn things by accident. Once my #500’s run out i’ll make some loads with the mag primers.
man i was sitting on a box of #400 small rifle primers, and all the other components to make 9mm for like 6 months during “the scare” couldn’t get small pistol anywhere…
finally did a little research and found out they work fine for 9mm :o
)
Just work up the loads as usual, you’ll be fine.