advice/opinion?

[jpm1953]

I just finished loading 200 .357s. 158gn JHP over 14g of 296 (from the Speer Manual.) The book says to use Small Pistol Magnum Primers under the 296. I inadvertently used the standard Small Pistol Primers for this batch...
What, if any problems might I encounter? Thanks, in advance for your learned opinions...

 

[jimbobborg]

Maybe some unburnt powder. That's it.

 

[alucard0822]

could be a large velocity spread, could be nothing, slow powders usually have retardants in them, makes them tougher to light. I would definitely chrono them though, if you go off book, sometimes a load does weird stuff, like come in at a much lower velocity, at worst could delay ignition, and potentially cause a load to be way off as the main charge either doesn't light, or lights later than it should, that powder and H110 in particular can be goofy with lighter primers and lighter loads, Hodgdon and Hornady say 15-16.7 gr. You should always work up loads in small batches before going into "production", this is a good reason why, and while pulling 200 rounds can suck, it beats damaging a gun.

 

[Blacksmith101]

IMO it should be fine for plinking but I would not trust them for things like match target shooting, hunting or personal defense. You can always pull the bullets and reuse the components for proper loads. If you choose to shoot them be sure to carefully inspect the first few rounds for any abnormal pressure signs, something you should do for any new load. Also keep an ear tuned for any squib loads in that batch in case you don't get complete ignition.

 

[Biggfoot44]

As ling as the crimp and overall case neck tension are up to snuff , should be ok, until low to very low temps.

 

[John from MD]

If you only used a moderate crimp, then I would increase the crimp pressure. This will give the powder more time to build up pressure and give better consistancy. I use H110 in my 44 mag and 300 blackout loads with standard primers and a firm crimp and don't see any issues. I get good accuracy and low standard deviation as long as I don't shoot them in the winter months.

Regards,

John

 

[K31]

With any component change should go back to the starting load. If this is a previously worked up load. I would keep what I had but load incremental test loads from the start load using the new components.

 

[Tracker]

I seriously doubt you will have any safety issues. You may not get the accuracy you hoped for or end up with some unburnt powder. I personally have loaded hundreds of both 357 & 44 mag and have never used magnum primers. I never had any problems with them either. I'm guessing your loads are plinking rounds since you made so many. If that is the case it's unlikely to make much difference. You could shoot them and save your targets. Then make up a (smaller) batch with magnum primers to check for accuracy differences. If you can get hold of a chronograph that will probably give you more useful info. I checked my Lee manual and 14grn of 296 should be fine for that bullet. Best of luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Substituting std primers with 296/110 will result in lower pressures, so no danger on that score.

Potential issues would be with erratic ignition and incomplete burning.

 

[byf43]

Substituting std primers with 296/110 will result in lower pressures, so no danger on that score.

Potential issues would be with erratic ignition and incomplete burning.

^^^ This, plus not-so-good groups.

 

[jpm1953]

OP here

Thank you all for the learned advice. I loaded a small batch with Magnum primers, identical powder charge & crimp, and went to On Target yesterday. Noticed no appreciable difference between the two - same recoil, same blast.
Accuracy about the same. Moderate primer flattening in both loads, so I'll consider that Max. Thanks again everyone!

 

[byf43]

Thank you all for the learned advice. I loaded a small batch with Magnum primers, identical powder charge & crimp, and went to On Target yesterday. Noticed no appreciable difference between the two - same recoil, same blast.
Accuracy about the same. Moderate primer flattening in both loads, so I'll consider that Max. Thanks again everyone!

I had a friend tell me that one time.

He fired 15 rounds from his issued G22, and had ONE touching.

He thought he shot pretty darned well. (We only found 12 holes in the target, though.)

 

[Magnumite]

Thank you all for the learned advice. I loaded a small batch with Magnum primers, identical powder charge & crimp, and went to On Target yesterday. Noticed no appreciable difference between the two - same recoil, same blast.
Accuracy about the same. Moderate primer flattening in both loads, so I'll consider that Max. Thanks again everyone!

Good work. If you can swing buying a chrono in the future, nothing fancy needed, you may consider getting one. Its eye opening.