Home Forums Reloading Reloading Software Small pistol primer in .223/556?

Have been reloading and casting for 55 years and always stuck pretty much to the standard loading data. My son has asked me to reload for his AR which I have no experience with. My problem is the absence of small mag rifle or pistol primers. I will be using 45-55 gr. bullets and #748 or #2400 powder (which I have the most of). Anyone ever try standard small pistol primers? The velocity need not be top end, just enough to work the action. I used to use these when reloading for .22 Hornet for silhouette competition. (But, I wasn't using the slower burning 748.) i have data for using these powders, but, not with a standard primer. Comments appreciated.

I have a 22 hornet screwed up by pistol primers so would say no way

If I was you, I might be tempted to try a mild load of 2400 with the SP primer, but the 748 is a mismatch. Ball powders like 748 need a substantial spark to light them up. 2400 is more versatile and forgiving, at least in handgun loads where magnum primers are not required for loads of 2400. The main risk is a pierced primer, so I'd say try no more than a typical book "starting" load and maybe less than that.

I shot competition for 12 years using UNIQUE and standard Remington pistol primers (as did some friends) with nary a problem (and some decent scores) in my(our) .22 Hornet(s).

i think I'll try to work up a load with #2400 and the small pistol primers, (always erring on the safe side).

i had problems with my firing pin puncturing the primer in a AR. had the spp's already in my feed tube and was too lazy to empty it or find another tube. had about 75% puncture. just my 2 cents.

Blanket, what did the small pistol primers do to your hornet? I load the hornet with small pistol primers and you might save me a headache down the road.

I would not use std SP primers in an AR. Pierced primers are usually the result. Some of it has to do with floating and non floating firing pins from what I have read. There have been post on here that claim Small Magum pistol primers are identical though. I have not found any specs to verify that. Many AR shooters claim you have to use tougher SR primers designated for use in AR's.I have not found that to be true in mine. Google Small Pistol primers in AR's and check out the AR and Tactical Rifle forum on this web site to ask the question. Warning though.You will get a lot of diverse opinions

I used to load some light loads with 55 gr. fmj and 10.0 gr. 2400 and CCI 500 primers. Never had a problem. Only thing with AR's is watch the OAL and crimp.

Can you prove that ? I been using pistol primers in Hornet and .218 Bee for 50 years with zero primer related issues so I would love to see proof of how you damaged your Hornet by using pistol primers .

OP,
I would use SR primers in a pistol cartridges and have in the .357 Mag many times but would not use SP in .223 in an AR platform rifle . Not only are you more likely to have pierced primers but it can cause multiple unintentional discharges . You will likely get slam fires . That's why they sell the heavier Military type primers in large and .small rifle .

Savage 219 pinhole blowout gas pitted receiver face mild load of 2400

Lighter powder charges need a cotton ball or something stuffed down on top of powder charge. That's what I did with the 10.0 gr. 2400 load.