I need to try some magnum primers in a .300win mag load that is giving me hang fires.
I am in a great hurry and have some large pistol magnum primers, but no time to go waste another day to go buy some large rifle magnums.
In a pinch will pistol primers work ok in rifle cartridges?
I know they are bacically the same?
Thanks.

Do NOT use them in full power 300 Mag calrtriages, as they are softer, and could very well blow out.

I have done this a lot in low and mid range loads in a 45-70. However these primers are designed to work at 40.000 PSI and I would not use them in loading 300 Win magnum or any other high pressure cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
Do NOT use them in full power 300 Mag calrtriages, as they are softer, and could very well blow out.

Pistol Primers ARE NOT MADE for the pressures of rifles period.

Before deciding to switch primers (pistol to rifle or rifle to pistol) consider this.

While there are some applications where exchanging primers is desirable, if you are considering exchanging pistol for rifle primers or rifle for pistol primers you must take into consideration the following:

SAAMI specifications on primers and primer pockets per "Sinclair International's Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook" 10th edition 1999

Depth Diameter
Min. Max Min. Max
Small rifle primer pocket 117 123 1730 1745
Small pistol primer pocket 117 123 1730 1745
Large rifle primer pocket 125 132 2085 2100
Large pistol primer pocket 117 123 2085 2100

Height Diameter
Min. Max Min. Max
Small rifle primers 115 125 1745 1765
Small pistol primers 115 125 1745 1765
Large rifle primers 123 133 2105 2130
Large pistol primers 115 125 2100 2120

The worst case scenario would be trying to seat a maximum height (.133") large rifle primer into a minimum depth (.117") large pistol primer pocket, which is a difference of 0.016". By design the maximum difference for large rifle is 0.008" (.133" high primer into a .125" deep pocket) and 0.008" for large pistol (.125 high primer into a .117" deep pocket).

Your call but I would not do it.