Small pistol primers for 204

Remingtonman

Remingtonman

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Im running LOW on my 204 ruger small rifle primers and was wondering if it would be safe to use Winchester small pistol primers in place of what I was using(Remington 7-1/2 small rifle benchrest primers)? Let me know what you all think of this idea?
 
Originally Posted By: RemingtonmanIm running LOW on my 204 ruger small rifle primers and was wondering if it would be safe to use Winchester small pistol primers in place of what I was using(Remington 7-1/2 small rifle benchrest primers)? Let me know what you all think of this idea?

Don't do it...
 
Originally Posted By: Remingtonman Let me know what you all think of this idea?

I think you should hold off until you can find the proper componets to safely reload your rifle cartridge.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: RemingtonmanIm running LOW on my 204 ruger small rifle primers and was wondering if it would be safe to use Winchester small pistol primers in place of what I was using(Remington 7-1/2 small rifle benchrest primers)? Let me know what you all think of this idea?

Yup.. it's fine - they are good primers and take pressure well.

Sorry... I mis-read your question. DON'T ever use pistol primers in a high pressure cartridge like the 204.
 
Originally Posted By: RemingtonmanIm running LOW on my 204 ruger small rifle primers and was wondering if it would be safe to use Winchester small pistol primers in place of what I was using(Remington 7-1/2 small rifle benchrest primers)? Let me know what you all think of this idea?

Not a wise thing to do at all. There are good reasons why not to use pistol primers in a rifle cartridge. You should have known that in the first place if you had read the manuals on reloading.
 
Arent alot of Hornet shooters using a pistol primer instead of a SRP ? I kow the cartridge is much smaller than a .204, but just asking a question.
 
Yes, the easy answer is not to do it. That said, I have done it, SPP in a 204 Ruger bolt action rifle. An AR with the floating firing pin may be something to think about.

My loads were in the mid charge range or lower, not the top end. As with many, the 204 doesn't HAVE to be a high pressure round. After close inspection of the primers & cases I noted no abnormal signs.

Do I routinely do it, no. Will it work for everyone, probably not. I have enough of everything, it was just testing for some reason a few years ago. YMMV.
 
Originally Posted By: W. Chad ShultzDo not do it, you will have pierced primers. Benchrest primers are the better choice in the 204, mine even pierces standard primers.

Then you have an unsafe condition. Issues with either over pressure, a longer than spec firing pin, a damaged firing pin etc.. You shouldn't ever be piercing primers, not even once in a while.
 
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Originally Posted By: Orneryolfart357Arent alot of Hornet shooters using a pistol primer instead of a SRP ? I kow the cartridge is much smaller than a .204, but just asking a question.

Yes, alot of us are using spp in the Hornet; Federal factory Hornet loads also have the spp. There is a big difference in pressures. With Lilgun powder, a Hornet should be in the 32-35,000psi range vs. 55,000psi for the 204R.
 
Originally Posted By: FurhunterOriginally Posted By: W. Chad ShultzDo not do it, you will have pierced primers. Benchrest primers are the better choice in the 204, mine even pierces standard primers.

Then you have an unsafe condition. Issues with either over pressure, a longer than spec firing pin, a damaged firing pin etc.. You shouldn't ever be piercing primers, not even once in a while.

Dude, you are all wrong, I tested this theory:

use thin cup primers on the stout loads. The primers pierce randomly, creating a circle of holes around the firing pin. Eventually, the circle is complete, solid holes. As you extract the round that has had a pierced primer, the copper will fill the holes in the bolt eventually! Problem fixed. The bolt will be a little harder to open due to constant sheering of brass filling in craters, etc...no big deal.

Just remind yourself that it costs money to have that firing pin hole bushed and do not pay to have the bolt face machined and tig welded along with bushing the firing pin hole, that costs money!...$55 dollars is $55!

Dang, get a grip!
 
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