Pistol primers OK in 45-70?

[Timothy]

Given the shortage of primers right now I was wondering if I can substitute large magnum pistol primers in trapdoor 45-70 loads. I shoot 405gr bullets at 1300-1350fps with imr3031. Thanks

[Tycer]

Sure, if your guns will ignite them, they're a little shorter than rifle primers. If they do ignite fine, rechrony your load and adjust your grains to get the best accuracy. Your load of 3031 is in no danger of overloading unless you are using a real old gun.

[Don McDowell]

Should work fine. I use lpm quite regularly with 45-70 bp loads.

[Buffboy]

Pressure wise, you're ok, but LP primers are shorter than LR primers, so they are recessed when properly installed in a large rifle case. If they are seated flush with the end of the case, they have to be moved by the firing pin to ignite, this can cause missfires. It can(depends on the design of the rifle) also lead to light strikes by the firing pin because of the increased distance of travel when properly seated. You will likely see some strange pressure signs if you read pressures by primer deformation as the primer "sets back" due to the pressure. In general, rifle primers are also a little longer duration of flame than even magnum pistol primers so that could also lead to decreased ignition of the slow powder you are using. None of these are deal breakers for this, just potential issues, you may have no problems.

The other way doesn't usually work, at least in revolvers. I had a mounted shooter that kept locking up his Uberti with his blanks and couldn't figure out why. Turned out he'd bought LR primers for his black powder blanks cause he wanted "sure fire" .

[2X22]

I would sure be interested in any experiments using pistol primers and 3031. I use pistol primers with light loads of Unique and they fire fine and are wonderfully accurate in my #1 and '86. Since my heavy hunting load is with 3031, using pistol primers would be handy if they lite the powder well enough.

22

[1886]

Try the Rem. 2 1/2 large pistol primer. I use it almost exclusively in the .45-70. You will be pleased. 1886.