Small Pistol Primers in .45acp Experience?

[Wabatuckian]

Hello,

I'm aware of the use of small pistol primers in .45acp for some years now. I've never used them due to my vast supply of cases I've accumulated.

I debated finding some SPP cases when LPPs were harder to find, but ultimately didn't need to. So zero experience.

I just ordered and received some new carry ammo, Federal HST .45acp. Inspecting it, I found it has SPPs.

Are there any issues that have been discovered when using SPPs in .45acp in the years since they started trying it? I really doubt there should be, but it's a variable in carry ammo so I figured I should ask.

 

[indyblue]

I believe the majority consensus here is to only use factory ammo for EDC, but realize it is a personal decision.

I have loaded both sizes of 45 ACP and could not tell the difference when shot.

 

[d.kaufman]

I have found near zero difference loading SPP V/S LPP cases in velocity, accuracy, etc.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I believe the majority consensus here is to only use factory ammo for EDC, but realize it is a personal decision.

I have loaded both sizes of 45 ACP and could not tell the difference when shot.

Right. This is factory-loaded .45acp HST with small pistol primers.

I just have no experience with SPPs in .45acp and was wondering if I should expect anything different.

 

[BigRed]

I got tired of running across them in the reloader and scrapped all of my spp 45acp cases long ago.

 

[indyblue]

Right. This is factory-loaded .45acp HST with small pistol primers.

I just have no experience with SPPs in .45acp and was wondering if I should expect anything different.

Sorry, thought you were referring to reloading with SPP.

SPP .45 seems to be the minority. I’ve been running Hornady critical duty, which are LPP.

 

[Twangbanger]

The SPP rounds hit 1" higher.

...just kidding.

 

[Leo]

Two things. Some 1911's that have been "tuned up" the old way had the slop taken out of the slide hood in a way that sets the barrel off center with the firing pin. If spent regular ammo from the pistol does not center up with the primer, SPP may be a problem.

I had one problem with reloads using Hodgdon clays power with CCI brand SPP in my 1911. Same bullet, same pistol, same powder charge. The LPP primed cases were perfect every time, with CCI, WIN, and Fiocchi primers. The Win and Fiocchi spp worked fine with that clays load, but CCI and Clays had no fires and low pressure fires. It was ONLY when CCI small pistol and Clays were together, anything other combination worked perfectly. Since I had a couple cases of CCI, I just used WW231 in the small primer cases. No problems.

I am sure any SPP ammo you buy is tested enough that everything works together really well

 

[ECS686]

Actually 45 acp originally started out with a Small Pistol Primer but changed to a Large shortly after.

There is no difference in performance and I noticed Federal ammo with Small Peimers back in 2010. Other than I have several rounds of LPP 45 brass I have to keep separate from new stuff. Seems it doesn’t matter what we thing SPP 45 is staying and a matter of time before most change over.

 

[DadSmith]

Hello,

I'm aware of the use of small pistol primers in .45acp for some years now. I've never used them due to my vast supply of cases I've accumulated.

I debated finding some SPP cases when LPPs were harder to find, but ultimately didn't need to. So zero experience.

I just ordered and received some new carry ammo, Federal HST .45acp. Inspecting it, I found it has SPPs.

Are there any issues that have been discovered when using SPPs in .45acp in the years since they started trying it? I really doubt there should be, but it's a variable in carry ammo so I figured I should ask.

No difference between them. I've used SPP for 10mm and 45acp. Velocity is the same with the same powder load. I don't have many. But with the LPP so hard to find I wouldn't mind getting more once fired brass for both 10mm, and 45acp with SPP.

 

[Sniper 79]

As others have stated no diff between the two. I culled and scrapped the smalls or ran them during a match where the range keeps the brass.

 

[Creedmoor]

A few years back one of us in my family picked up a few hundred small primed 45acp at the range and dumped it in the fired 45 acp buckets. months later I polished a few thousand cases and unknowing to me just mixed them in with thousands of LPP brass. Talk about a progressive press lock up. What a huge PITA, New rules went into affect. leave brass if SPP brass is found when picking up our 45acp at the range.

 

[Squid556]

@Leo touched on what I was going to say.

As a general rule you won’t notice a difference but SOME combinations of powder / bullet might leave you with a surprise.

I’ve heard about small primer 6.5 CM having issues with certain ball powders.

I ran into a similar issue last year with a 38 spl load that was orientation sensitive. Data that should have been fine turned out to be not so good. Changed the powder and all was right with the world.

All the same reloading rules apply and I say just make a small batch and test before you really need em.

Personally I kind of like the ability to use either small or large. Here lately large primers have been hard to find. So I separate it and keep it for the right situation.

 

[Creedmoor]

@Leo touched on what I was going to say.

As a general rule you won’t notice a difference but SOME combinations of powder / bullet might leave you with a surprise.

I’ve heard about small primer 6.5 CM having issues with certain ball powders.

I ran into a similar issue last year with a 38 spl load that was orientation sensitive. Data that should have been fine turned out to be not so good. Changed the powder and all was right with the world.

All the same reloading rules apply and I say just make a small batch and test before you really need em.

Personally I kind of like the ability to use either small or large. Here lately large primers have been hard to find. So I separate it and keep it for the right situation.

What powder? 2400?

 

[Squid556]

What powder? 2400?

I was using Titegroup and a hollow base bullet. The powder wouldn’t burn unless the revolver was tilted back first.

Switched to bullseye and the problem went away.

 

[Creedmoor]

I was using Titegroup and a hollow base bullet. The powder wouldn’t burn unless the revolver was tilted back first.

Switched to bullseye and the problem went away.

Thanks, I tried Titegroup a few times over the years and was never happy with my results myself.
We burn Unique and Bulleye in 90 % of that handgun rounds we load.

 

[Squid556]

Thanks, I tried Titegroup a few times over the years and was never happy with my results myself.
We burn Unique and Bulleye in 90 % of that handgun rounds we load.

I have used it in 9mm, 380, 45 since 2011. Works well. That pound lasts forever!

No issues until I tried my hand with light hollow base bullets in 38spl.

 

[Creedmoor]

I have used it in 9mm, 380, 45 since 2011. Works well. That pound lasts forever!

No issues until I tried my hand with light hollow base bullets in 38spl.

If I recall correctly it went from mild to wild quickly in a few cartridges when I tried it.

 

[ECS686]

Speaking of powders does anyone know of or have seen any Greendot??!

That’s my go to for 38 special I’ve tried some others but just not doing it for me. TYIA

 

[Creedmoor]

Speaking of powders does anyone know of or have seen any Greendot??!

That’s my go to for 38 special I’ve tried some others but just not doing it for me. TYIA

Call Brian and see if he has any in stock. Always the Tipton Show this weekend.

@Brian's Surplus