Henry Rifle Forums

When searching for primers, I need a little help. There are primers for rifle loads and then small caliber pistol loads. What is considered small calibers,
.380.9mm, 38 special, 357, 45ACP and 45LC. I am looking to reload 45 LC. Are there different primers for each caliber. I need a little education.
Thanks.

I would suggest you check your manual. 41 mag and on up use a large pistol primer. While 380 9mm 38 357 use a small pistol primer. There is small pistol primer 45 acp brass also but myself all of mine use large pistol primers.

I use large pistol for 45 Colt.

Well hope you already have some primers to start with as they are still hard to find in most shops. .44 and 45 use the large primers with some newer .45 ACP brass using the small pistol primers. .38 Special and Magnum use the small ones to.
Now normally a couple of slow burn powders used in top end pistol loads will require the Magnum type pistol primer in small or large but the other powders like Unique, Red Dot, Power Pistol and such use the standard primer in large or small size. However it's been well proven it is fine to use the Magnum primers if you can't find the standard primers.
Just go by your load manual recommendations. Good luck with your reloading!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centerfire_ammunition

Read a good book on reloading, the Lee manual is OK, and their load data is good, but a more technical book like ...
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading- ... 646&sr=8-1
.... will answer all your primer questions, plus a couple of dozen more that you have not thought of yet. I recommend that book, though I have to admit that I have not read the current edition, mine is from about 1980 and I still look at it every now and then. Maybe a member with a less ancient copy could comment. Perhaps forty years later it is time for me to upgrade. OTH cartridges go and new ones appear, but they all work the same way.


John Davies
Spokane

Thanks to all of you.