45 auto brass

[two card charlie]

Bought some once fired brass and while depriming found blazer and speers 45 auto brass have  small primer pockets, all other brands have large pockets. the reloading manuals state that a large pistol primer is used for 45 auto, so can a small pistol primer be used or is a magnum small pistol primer needed in these cases with the small pockets? New to reloading and just want be certain of what is needed. Thanks in advance

Two Card Charlie

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I wondered about that when I first noticed it.  The rounds with small primers are marked "NT" for non-toxic. I think that is the reason for the difference.  I'm tempted to reload a few, but I have so many normal cases that there is no real need.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Exactly right.  The new "green" rounds have changed things greatly.  You also might run into some rounds called "WinClean" that have very large flash holes.  All are technically reloadable, but you need to use the right primers in the cases that are non standard.  And I doubt that they are sold across the counter yet.

However, if you DO find some of the Winchester cases with the extra-large flash holes, they CAN be used with across-the-counter primers, (according to the Winchester tech-rep I called when I found some of the oddball cases) but you might be better not using any of the non-standard cases.

If you do decide to load some of the 45 ACP cases that take the small primer, I doubt you'd run into any problems.  But there are gazillions of standard cases out there, so if it bothers you, I'd get other cases.  Someday we may ALL have to change our load components to "green" stuff and so the manufacturers will have to come up with new charts.



Won't that be fun!?!

[two card charlie]

Thanks for the replies. Only have 30 cases so far, will just use the standard cases for now.

[rickk]

I would just hit the range on a Sunday afternoon after most of the people have left and pick up some more "new" brass left on the ground by the people with way too much money.   

[PJ Hardtack]

What rickk said ...  and get one of those wire cage roller brass picker-uppers to make the job easier. Got mine from Lee Valley, but other sources stock theml. They also pick up 12 ga hulls.

[litl rooster]

Thanks for the replies. Only have 30 cases so far, will just use the standard cases for now.

Sort 'm off and save them for when large primers become short supply, you can fall back on them.