Just started loading for the 22-250 with H380. This is my first experience with ball powder. I noticed that some recommend using a magnum primer, as the ball powder is harder to ignite.

Is there a consensus on this, or should I just back the charge down a little and try some?

I don't know about a consensus, but I'd try it both ways. If you've already established a load with regular primers, back it down and try 'em.

H-380 will ignite fine w/ standard LR primers. Try them both and see if one shoots better than the other.

I asked the same question a few months ago.....I assure you that there is no concensus.

I felt good about the replies I got.....and no longer consider the magnum primer for ball powders to be anything but poppycock.

I probably shoot as much ball powder as anything else. I used it in temps as high as over a hundred and below 10 degrees. I've never had a problem with one of those loads. I've never used Magnum primers. My guess would be a conservative 5000 plus rounds.

But I would suggest if the documentation for your load says use primer X that is what I'd use. Other words you’re dealing with a lot of unknowns. Your Max and Min charges could change and you wouldn't have a clue where you stand if you're a loader that doesn't follow good reloading procedures and drop down and work to Max. That's my two cents worth.

i worked up loads with W760 and H414 for 257 robts (speer manual says use mag primer)and with these powders the load density for this case is not very high, i got hang fires(not good)because i didnt use mag primers so if it calls for mag primers with a certain powder i would use them.

Heavy barrels & Light triggers

I've had similar experiences to Willow's. Working up relatively light loads in big case cartridges, using standard lg. rifle primers has resulted in hangfires which went away when I switched to magnum.

Folks, let's keep in mind he's working with a 22-250. Not a "big case". For my 338/378 and H-870, yes I use Mag primers. But that's with a 132 gr. charge, not a 35 gr. charge.

I'm almost wondering if you guys didn't get your hands on some bad primers.

Fire 10 shots with a magnum primer over the chronograph and then 10 shots with a standard primer. Calculate the standard deviations for the 10 shots (not 3 shots or 5 shots as is the popular incorrect practice). Go with whichever primer gives the lowest standard deviation.

The Accuracy of your rifle will tell you whether you should use them or not. Different primers give different accuracy.

If you are below MAX charges by 10% I would try both w/ Magnum and LR primers and see which gives the best group.

I personally don't feel the Mag Primers are needed w/ Ball powders unless it's in a big 60+ grain cases.

Reloader

Ball powder tends to burn dirty unless you use a Mag Rifle primer. I use alot of W760 in the 22-250 and 300 WSM and both burn cleaner with WLRM or Fed 215 primers.