I think I need to give up reloading before I do something really stupid

[Preacher357]

I am about ready to throw in the towel.   I have just spent the last several hours reloading .44 magnum, .44 special, and 45 acp.  I get finished and then realize that somehow a box of CCI 250 Magnum Rifle Primers was mixed in with my 300 large pistol primers.   I don't even load rifle cartridges, so I must have accidentally picked it up at the store when I bought the other.  Now I have hundreds of rounds loaded and no idea which ones have the wrong primers in them.   I believe it was in the last batch of .44 special, but I can't be sure.  It could possibly have been in the .44 Magnum.   I know it was not in the 45 acp, because I had already primed them previously.  I sent a message to CCI to see what they would say, but I am pretty sure I know the answer:  pull everything apart.  Consulting the message boards online is basically a waste of time.  The opinions range from "it will blow your arm off" to "it won't matter, I do it all the time".  Would any experienced reloaders like to weigh in on my stupidity?

[R_Bert]

It's a tough lesson, but any round that you do not have complete and absolute confidence - pull it apart.

 

I have learned the hard way also.

 

You will be fine.

 

Just refine your process.

Edited March 31, 2016 by R_Bert

[Sidecarist]

That sucks!

I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't mostly because when I did something similar I thought about it, counted my fingers and decided it wasn't worth the risk. I still have all 10 digits. The time lost is a distant memory and now thanks to you I have been reminded about vigilance when reloading.

Thanks for the reminder. Now pull them save the powder, wet tumble them, and start over!

[Patton]

If it were all small primers it wouldn't matter, but the large are different. You should be able to run your finger across the rim and feel a slight bulge where it feels like the primer isn't seated all the way. Large rifle primers are taller than large pistol primers.

[mikegideon]

If it were all small primers it wouldn't matter, but the large are different. You should be able to run your finger across the rim and feel a slight bulge where it feels like the primer isn't seated all the way. Large rifle primers are taller than large pistol primers.

 

Best answer right here. 

[Jonnin]

If your loads are mild you can probably just shoot them without incident if they will shoot.    A mildly loaded 44 in a stout old ruger revolver is going to be fine.  A past the redline hot 44 in a cheap pistol might not be fine.  Even better if its the 44 special, put those in a 44 mag and it will be fine ... a hot primer isn't going to push a 44 special past 44 mag levels.

 

the 45 acp would worry me a little but you said it wasn't them. 

 

SO it comes down to if the 44 mags were loaded hot or not.

[mikegideon]

The difference between a magnum and regular primer isn't going to kaboom a gun with any load. I think you will have more problems because they are the wrong size. But, because they are the wrong size, you can find them and disassemble them.

[Jamie Jackson]

Great advice already given.

 

Don't beat yourself up Preacher. Anyone that handloads will make mistakes eventually. We simply have to learn from them. And I definitely believe you'll be more diligent in the future.

I've blown a Glock 21 with a double charge of W231 over 15 years ago. (Glock replaced the gun btw...Great customer service!). I learned to alter my process and setup, increased my already anal-retentive QC process, and I don't hesitate to pull apart any cartridge I might even begin to doubt for whatever reason...just part of practicing a safe handloading process.

 

At least you realized it before you had an accident my friend. I have my "handloading eraser" aka kinetic bullet puller handy on my bench...just in case. :nervous:

 

Patton nailed it as far as checking though. But if you have any serious doubts or concerns, just pull 'em and start over.

 

I've used 10's of thousands of magnum pistol primers in making 9mm rounds. The velocity increase is marginal when I've chrono'ed them, and no signs of increased pressure. But that is pistol...not rifle. The height of the rifle might even potentially bind a revolver cylinder depending on the tolerances...but I don't know this from personal experience.

 

We live and learn Preacher. So pick up that towel and get back to work! :up:

[Preacher357]

I went through and set every one of the loaded cartridges on end on the table and then pulled out any that wobbled at all.  Some were really bad and were obviously wrong primers, some were not as noticeable, but for cautions sake I pulled them anyway.  From what I can tell, I used 53 Large Magnum Rifle primers and I have pulled out 90 rounds that showed any degree of wobble, so I think the chances are pretty good that I got them all.  90 is still a lot to disassemble, but it is much better than roughly 400.  I guess I know what I am doing all evening.  I was really hoping I would get to disassemble them the fun way tonight instead.  

[xsubsailor]

Isn't this a fun hobby?   :D

[Patton]

I am glad to hear you were able to differentiate between the heights. If you managed to have a few go undetected I doubt it will matter. Actually, the worst that should happen is the cylinder binding.

If your loads are mild you can probably just shoot them without incident if they will shoot. A mildly loaded 44 in a stout old ruger revolver is going to be fine. A past the redline hot 44 in a cheap pistol might not be fine. Even better if its the 44 special, put those in a 44 mag and it will be fine ... a hot primer isn't going to push a 44 special past 44 mag levels.

the 45 acp would worry me a little but you said it wasn't them.

SO it comes down to if the 44 mags were loaded hot or not.

No, not really because there is very little difference in the heat of standard primers vs magnum primers. I have chronographed both and can not tell the difference. If anything I found Federal magnum primers to be slower with 38spl. Some of the CCI magnum primers are considered hot but not enough to make huge differences. The biggest difference between magnum primers is the have a thicker cup. Edited April 1, 2016 by Patton

[Jonnin]

Good to know.   Ive tested mag pistol primers vs standard and never saw any difference but I have never tried magnum rifles in a pistol.  I would have thought those would pack a notable punch.