Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .44mag loads w/non-mag primer?

I'm getting ready to load some .44mag. I plan to use 2400, 240grn Sierra JHP. But I don't have any mag primers, I do have a good supply of Remington large pistol primers. What's going to happen if I use the non-magnum primers? Are they not going to go bang? These are intended to be used in my Marlin carbine.

On the few occasions that I have loaded 44mag with standard large pistol primers and H110, the deer have not complained.

2400 works very well with standard large pistol primers. I only use magnum primers in pistol cases when using 296.

As they say on the TV medical shows, "I concur".

You will be fine with standard primers and 2400 in your .44.

I will not use a mag primer in the .44 even with H 110 or 296. They triple group sizes. I use nothing but a Fed 150.

Been loading and shooting a Super Blackhawk since 1976, have never used a mag primer. Tried about every powder and load combination I could, every one went bang. I have always come back to H110. Bought a lever action a few years ago, same results.

The only caution is that if you find some magnum primers in the future you'll need to work up your load again.

Thanks to all. So the earth won't shift on it's axis and cause a massive global cooling? That's good to know, I thought I'd read that 2400 didn't really need magnum primers...somewhere but just wanted to confirm with the gang here. I guess I'll be pulling the handle of my 550 pretty soon. What I'm trying to get to is a big loading project of 44 spl's but I wanted to load up all the JHP's I had in .44 for my Marlin carbine, before I readjusted my press for the .44 spl. Thanks again for all the info. CH

Whoa there fella.

No one said anything about the axis bisness.

That's a whole 'nother question.

!Damn! I was afraid of that!

To piggyback on what everyone else is saying, Alliant shows all loads with 2400 being ignited by standard primers.

Thanks for the info. I pulled the handle on the Dillon a couple of hundred times yesterday and now have a nice pile of .44mag. I haven't had a chance to bust a cap on one of them. Now it's time time to reconfigure for .44 spl. and start pulling again. CH
I'm still a little worried about that axis thing when I actually shoot one.

I don't know chickasaw .... I knew a fellar' that did this once and all his kids ended up bein' born nekkid!

Same here.

Mag primers are not needed with 296 in the .44 or .45 but are in the .475 and up. Try the Fed 150 and compare groups.
This is what I get with the 265 gr RD Lee boolit and 22 gr of 296 using the Fed 150.
Target at 50 yards and can at 100. I was hitting low so I aimed higher for the last shot and almost centered the can.

Back when I shot IHMSA I used the 240 gr Hornady bullet and 24 gr of 296 and the Fed 150 primer.
I shot 79 out of 80 at Ohio state.
Why do you need a mag primer?

Now my long range, 5000 yard shooter, needs a mag primer.

Then 5 shots with a .45 Colt Vaquero at 50 yards with 21.5 gr of 296 and the Fed 150 primer. 347 gr Lyman boolit.

Please do not believe all you read in gun comics or manuals. Test for yourself. You might be surprised big time.
I have been experimenting with the .44 since 1956 and have shot 3 shots into 1-5/16" at 200 yards using a cast boolit. I have shot more 1-1/4" and under groups at 100 yards with CAST boolits then I can count and jacketed Hornady bullets are better.
Not a single group was shot with magnum primers. I Can't do it!
I can give a total explanation why if you ask. I am over 72 so I have no axe to grind, just want to help. I will do anything for all of you. Just stop believing what you read. Gun writers are the worst. They are nice guys but must toe the line for advertisers and editors. They are working stiffs. They only repeat, never test.
Sure there is a place for mag primers---WHAT, 30 below zero?

Personally, I use the Winchester Large pistol primers for every powder I use in my 45 Colt, makes life pretty simple. Les