SR primers in .38 Super pistol load.

When you are desperate, you do things that ordinarily don't make sense. Using small rifle primers in loading .38 super is one such idea... that only makes sense if you cannot get SP primers.

I acquired 100 new cases from Graf & Son head stamped "GRAF .38 auto." I measured the primer pockets and they were very consistent at .20. Then I measured my Winchester SR primers and they too averaged right at .20. Disappointed a little, I seated primers in 5 virgin cases. Upon inspection I couldn't tell a case with a SR primer from a case with the SP primer. They were both recessed in the pockets and looked just like they should!

I took my pistol and functioned the slide on the primed cases and fired each primer... No problems. Then I loaded 1 round using 5.0 grains Unique behind a 125 gr. Hornady JHP with a OAL of 1.26. No signs of excessive pressure and the slide locked back on the empty mag. After that I loaded 20 rounds and headed to the back door! 20 rounds later no signs of excessive pressure, flattened primers, or stronger than usual recoil. The brass ejection pattern was also normal for this pistol.

I plan to up the load .2 grains at a time to a probable max of 5.6 gr. of Unique. I prefer the 115 gr. Sra. JHP but I am out of that also.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU TRY THIS!! I am just reporting on my personal experience.
:nono:

The only problem you'll have is whether the hammer is strong enough to punch through the harder SR surface.

Trial with 5.5gr TrailBoss in a .357/158gr LSWC went out at 914fps w/ a normal CCI-500 SP, and actually went *down* in velocity (880fps) w/ the CCI-BR4 SR primer.

The SP, however took two strikes to ignite shot #4, and wouldn't go w/ multiple strikes w/ #5.

Accuracy was unaffected (and was unexceptional in both cases.)