I almost passed out in bass pro in pearl,ms. They had large pistol primers on the shelf. They were federal magnum large pistol primers. What can I expect different from them than the cci primers I was using. I know I will have to back off the powder because my last primers were not magnum. Is there anything else to watch when changing primers.

the best thing is to use what the load data calls for but switching to a magnum primer you'll most likely have an increase in pressure but it's hard saying how much. The last data I saw showed you could get as much as 6k in pressure swings just from changing brands. What cartridge are you loading for.

I am loading 44 magnum for my super redhawk. I don't push the max load limits. If the book says max I don't go over it.

You should be fine then since the books call for mag primers in the 44 anyways. You may even notice a difference in accuracy. I'm not one that thinks there is a huge difference, it's just a matter of more fulminated mercury in the mag primers to make a larger primary explosion to detonate the secondary explosive which is your powder. I never did get the big fight over it, basicly the larger the powder charge or the more dense the powder charge the more it benefits from a magnum primer. So if your using a powder like HS6 where your only using 10 or 12 grains and 30 to 50% of case capacit you won't benefit as much as you will with charge of H110 that is around 100 to 125% of case volume and double the weight.

DeerDad, I have Definitely seen a difference in the accuracy dept. when switching brands in primers. Overall my 454 likes CCI primers. In certain loads my gun will prefer Remington or Federal primers over CCI. I myself have Never loaded anything to the max. I stay about 1/2 of a grain under the max. I have never had any problems using the same amount of powder and just switching primers.

Thanks again for information. I am using lil gun powder now because no h110 available. I doubt the deer or hogs will tell the difference. I am getting good penetration and expansion in my wet phone book test with both powders.