45 Auto brass

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Striper69

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 31, 2014
    1,400
    Iowa
    I picked up a bunch the other day at the range. I went to put primers in them and some (Federal) had small pistol primer holes and the others (Sig) had large pistol primer holes. They both were labeled "45 Auto".

    What's up with that?
     

    THier

    R.I.P.
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 3, 2010
    4,998
    Muscleville
    I picked up a bunch the other day at the range. I went to put primers in them and some (Federal) had small pistol primer holes and the others (Sig) had large pistol primer holes. They both were labeled "45 Auto".

    What's up with that?

    Past few years they have been a switch to small pistol primers by some manufacturers. Research I have done is there is no load change for reloads, only the primer change.
     

    U.S.SFC_RET

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 8, 2005
    6,696
    This is the reloader’s headache. Having to sort small vs large pistol primers.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    As I understand it, it is mainly due to "green" ammo. The lead free primers are only made in small, so they changed to small primers in .45, which is the only major pistol round that they wanted to do "green" and used a large primer.
     

    ras_oscar

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 23, 2014
    1,666
    I set the smalls aside and reset with small primers at the ed of the session.
     
    Last edited:

    GunBum

    Active Member
    Feb 21, 2018
    751
    SW Missouri
    As I understand it, it is mainly due to "green" ammo. The lead free primers are only made in small, so they changed to small primers in .45, which is the only major pistol round that they wanted to do "green" and used a large primer.

    New stuff, you are correct. But historically a lot of “match” 45 acp ammo was manufactured with small primers. There are guys who go out of their way to find small primer 45 brass.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    New stuff, you are correct. But historically a lot of “match” 45 acp ammo was manufactured with small primers. There are guys who go out of their way to find small primer 45 brass.

    Prior to "green" ammo, I have never seen small primer brass.

    When was this common?

    I have been reloading .45 since 1977.
     

    photoracer

    Competition Shooter
    Oct 22, 2010
    3,318
    West Virginia
    Most people in my club want large primer brass. I did not get a .45 until late in life (won it at a match). So since the only ammo I reload uses small primer I am more than happy to take any small primer brass they want to toss. I don't use a big press and changing to large primer is a pain.
     

    Ironnewt

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 24, 2012
    1,416
    Harford County
    I got a great deal on a Dillon 550 so one set for large primers and the other for small ones. When I need to load some small premiered brass I just switch the head to the other machine. Done in seconds
    I already had one
     

    Broncolou

    Active Member
    Jan 22, 2013
    689
    Parkton MD
    I'll trade large primer for small primer as well. I dont have to change my primer sytem on my press..... and I can use my primer filler toooooo
    PM if interested. I've got prob a 5 gallon bucket full of LP 45 brass to trade
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    For my 650 I have two complete priming systems.

    So 2 bolts, swap the primer system. Pull the primer ram (unscrews) and put in the other one. Done. 2 minute or so.
     

    Gunner220

    Member
    Jul 24, 2012
    47
    Blazer Brass has those evil small primer pockets. Sorting them before using a progressive is good advice. Swaging a large primer into a small pocket could get interesting.
     

    Rockzilla

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 6, 2010
    4,516
    55.751244 / 37.618423
    I think originally Winchester came out with "Win NT"
    headstamped ammo, ie: non-toxic" or the PC term
    "green" Emailed Speer a long time ago about these and
    they suggested to load the same as Large primers. They
    can be a pain, sort them when your checking your brass,
    basically use them as "shoot n loose" ammo.

    -Rock
     

    cstone

    Active Member
    Dec 12, 2018
    842
    Baltimore, MD
    Sort and trade. I've found that since most .45 ACP reloaders prefer large primers, I could usually get a 2 for 1 trade. I haven't needed any .45 brass in quite some time as it lasts through many reloading cycles and is pretty easily recovered after firing.
     

    tony b

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 20, 2012
    1,512
    Joppa
    I sort and use both but I typically deprime an prime by hand. Weird it is kinda relaxing.
    Just reloaded 300 small primer cases and will test out later today or tomorrow
     

    BigRick

    Hooligan #15
    Aug 7, 2012
    1,140
    Southern Maryland
    I got a great deal on a Dillon 550 so one set for large primers and the other for small ones. When I need to load some small premiered brass I just switch the head to the other machine. Done in seconds
    I already had one

    I have 2 650’s and found out 1 is a tenth of an inch longer. Had to reseat 300 9mm rounds after I switched the tool heads and didn’t check.
     

    tomcat7

    Member
    Dec 1, 2018
    12
    Callaway, MD
    I have been loading .45 ACP since I can remember and my Dad did back in the 60s before me. We only had brass with large pistol primers on the .45 ACP so a little confused here?
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,916
    Messages
    7,258,485
    Members
    33,348
    Latest member
    Eric_Hehl

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom