Thread: Can you use Small Pistol primers in .223?

I realise you can use SR primmers in pistols but can you do it the other way around too?

Otherwise I've got 1k of them and some powder to get rid of.

Suck and see!

Originally Posted by berg243

i think pistol primers are softer to allow a lighter firing pin strike .not sure about the higher pressure in rifle ammunition if it would rupture.you would have to be careful if using the ammo in anything with a floating firing pin or one that has the firing pin protruding when closing the bolt when not fully cocked.

Spot on!

I know it's fine to use rifle in pistol, but I'm not sure about the otherway around. To be honest, I'd just go pick up some small rifle primers

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DEFINATELY NO NO NO NO NO NO......pressures are too high and you risk blowing your fool head off.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

DEFINATELY NO NO NO NO NO NO......pressures are too high and you risk blowing your fool head off.

Damn right the .223 will pierce SR primers if loaded too hot, .357 Mag pressure runs at 40.000 psi max .223 55.000 big difference, The SP primers
in the .22 Hornet are quite popular but not safe in anything else

This was covered some time ago, with a similar question. My answer now as then was, they make pistol and rifle primers for a reason otherwise they would just call them all LARGE primers or SMALL primers.