Henry Rifle Forums

Made a test today of 3 .45 Colt loads using Winchester WLP primers and CCI 350 LPS Magnum primers to see if there was any difference in FPS and accuracy. Target distance was 30 yds. from sitting position and the Henry CCH Carbine 16.5 barrel.
All loads used the same Missouri Bullet RNFP 250 gr. coated bullets. First load was my standard 8.5 Unique with the Winchester WLP primer.
First group of 5 shots where in the center target and noticed I was hitting high and group not as tight as I liked. After me and the carbine settled down I shot the left side lower target and got a still high but better typical group. An adjustment to lower the rear ghost ring sight had me in great shape on the 3 shot target on lower left.
The FPS readings from the Magneto Speed on the first target sheet were 1030 1027 1050 1086 1068 using the 8.5 Unique and WLP primer.

The next target sheet was shooting the 8.2 Unique load with the CCI 350 Mag primers with group in center. About same grouping but just a bit lower and to the right. Measured FPS was 1031 1031 1053 1038 1090.

The 3rd and final target was same 250 gr. bullet but with 5.9 Red Dot powder and the CCI Mag primers. Shots in center of target but grouping is spread out. I have noticed that although Red Dot shoots very well with tight groups in the revolvers not so much in the rifles.
FPS with Red Dot was 921 932 913 929 941.

From these tests seems like the use of the CCI Magnum primers has little effect at these load levels in 45 Colt.

Thanks for the info Forty. Id be curious to see the groups and ES with regular primers

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:14 pm

Thanks for the info Forty. Id be curious to see the groups and ES with regular primers

The Winchester WLP primer is rated for standard and magnum use and has been the primer I have been using for years.
I guess it has a burn that is a mix of both. Looks like it is fine and from what others have found to use Magnum Pistol primers with most medium and fast burning powders that are not at max loads if you need to.

Note: I made a correction on bullet weight on last test....was 205 but should have been typed as 250 gr.

There is a gentleman on youtube, GunBlue490, that has a collection go great shooting related videos. In particular he has a 42 minute video just on selecting and using primers. (Link below.) His basic conclusion for all pistol calibers is magnum primers are not needed unless your choice of powder is a slow burning hard to ignite powder like H110 or Winchester 296 and maybe a few others.

For rifle primers he summarizes primer selection by the amount of powder charge used. Below 60-65 grains you don't need a magnum primer. Above that a magnum primer is required to get consistent ignition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swBDnJY0470&t=1020s

Paul

Headhog wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:32 pm

There is a gentleman on youtube, GunBlue490, that has a collection go great shooting related videos. In particular he has a 42 minute video just on selecting and using primers. (Link below.) His basic conclusion for all pistol calibers is magnum primers are not needed unless your choice of powder is a slow burning hard to ignite powder like H110 or Winchester 296 and maybe a few others.

For rifle primers he summarizes primer selection by the amount of powder charge used. Below 60-65 grains you don't need a magnum primer. Above that a magnum primer is required to get consistent ignition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swBDnJY0470&t=1020s

Paul

Yes I have paid a visit over to that channel and thanks for the link. In a normal world I always use the standard primers...more specifically the Winchester LP. However all I have now are Magnum primers to use and so far those work fine too.

Good to know forty. Glad it worked out. Did you notice if it burned any cleaner? Thanks.

Rifletom wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:37 pm

Good to know forty. Glad it worked out. Did you notice if it burned any cleaner? Thanks.

Looked the same to me.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:29 pm

Headhog wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:32 pm

There is a gentleman on youtube, GunBlue490, that has a collection go great shooting related videos. In particular he has a 42 minute video just on selecting and using primers. (Link below.) His basic conclusion for all pistol calibers is magnum primers are not needed unless your choice of powder is a slow burning hard to ignite powder like H110 or Winchester 296 and maybe a few others.

For rifle primers he summarizes primer selection by the amount of powder charge used. Below 60-65 grains you don't need a magnum primer. Above that a magnum primer is required to get consistent ignition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swBDnJY0470&t=1020s

Paul

Yes I have paid a visit over to that channel and thanks for the link. In a normal world I always use the standard primers...more specifically the Winchester LP. However all I have now are Magnum primers to use and so far those work fine too.

Dealing with today's COVID environment and making do with the components on hand is a outstanding way to continue enjoying our hobby.

Paul

Good info, thks