If it ain't a 209 primer, what the heck is it and where can I find some?

[Goatlips]

Well pards I got hold of a case of once-fired Hi-brass Remington Rifled Slug Shotgun hulls, more specifically SP12RS-5pk 12 ga 2 3/4" 7/8 oz rifled slug. Thought I'd brew up some distinctive extra special Black Powder loads. Deprimed on an old Texan machine and dropped a Winchester 209 primer in the priming hole and pulled the lever. Whoops well I'll be danged! 

Win 209's won't fit. These shells were originally loaded with a slightly smaller SHOTGUN primer. I searched the net and could find no reference to anything but 209's. Back in the "old days" when Alcan was king there must have been different sizes of SG primers. Well, where can I find some undersized primers, if they're still around I wonder? Any ideas? If not, it's back to characterless red plastic and Federal paper roll crimped. Thanks in advance!

Goatlips
_________________
The aesthetic problem with shootin' Black Powder is, it's like bein' extraordinarily handsome - only the spectators can really appreciate it!

[Hell-Er High Water]

Goatlips,

It sounds like you have shells designed for the old No. 57 primers; slightly smaller in dia than the 209 primer.

Years ago I made a tool to swage the primer pockets on several hundreds of Remington/Peters cases to accept the 209 primers.  This works great and once done it is done.

It was a two piece steel tool.  One piece fit the inside of the hull with the end turned to match the shape of the base wad.  This end then had a hole drilled in it for clearance of the end of the actual swage.  This piece was held in a vise and a shell dropped over it.

The end of the swage itself was smaller than the existing primer pocket to allow it to enter.  There then was a short portion tapered up to the diameter of the new pocket.  The length of the section for the new pocket diameter need only be as long as the base wad thickness.  A shoulder was then turned as stop that came up against the case head so as to not drive it too deep into the case.

A couple of taps with a hammer and the job is done.

It's a way to salvage otherwise good, useable cases and use standard 209 primers in them.

Hope that this helps.

HHW

[Fox Creek Kid]

I have a huge stash of ol' #57 primers. I will probably never need them. Too bad you're not in the Midwest as I would sell them to you in person, unless you want to pay hazmat. 

[Delmonico]

I've got several sleeves of CCI 157's I'd give anyone who would pick them up.  Used to use them a lot in Remington and Peters cases for 28 gauge, ran out of the older cases before I ran out of primers.

[Abilene]

6 or 7 years ago I bought a bunch of Alcan brass hulls from a guy who told me they used 209 primers.  WRONG!  Fortunately I found a gun store in San Antonio that still had the CCI 157's so I bought a couple bricks.

If there are any shops in your area that have been around for a long time you might check with them, might have some on a dusty shelf in the back.

[Goatlips]

Thanks for the replies Pards!  Hell-er, I'm way too ham handed to come up with a swager so I'll try for some primers if I can get some.  These hulls were for slugs and roll crimped, I may try to do them like I do Federal paper, and cut them down as they wear out.

Fox Creek Kid, I am in the Midwest, Michigan to be more accurate.  Are you anywhere near? 

Del, if you bake them into some cornbread you could send 'em to me without the Hazmat maybe.. 

And Abeline, now that I know what to look for, I will try some of the old gun stores around here where they let me root through their back rooms.  Thanks all! 

And will buy a brick or two with hazmat from a willing seller if it seems practical and becomes necessary!

Goatlips

[Fox Creek Kid]

Fox Creek Kid, I am in the Midwest, Michigan to be more accurate.  Are you anywhere near?

Nope, Iowa.

[Delmonico]

Nope, Iowa.

And I'm on the other side of the Missouri River, in the west.   If anyone from up that way is coming to the GAF muster I'd be right happy to toss them in their gear for the ride home, might have a half a brick, would need to check.  Or heck, come down here and I'll make cornbread and give them to you, White or yellow, sugar or no sugar?

[Goatlips]

Fox Creek Kid,

Sent ya a PM.

Goatlips