Page 231 - The Lost Ways

Small Magnum primers are used by the 357 Magnum, and the large Magnum primers are
intended for the 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 454 Casul, 50 Action Express, and 500 Smith
& Wesson when used in conjunction with a slow-burning powder that takes up almost all
of the capacity of the case to guarantee proper ignition.

Shooters looking to save money should know that using a case loaded with a small
amount of a fast-burning powder does not require the more expensive Magnum primer.

Magnum primers should be used when the temperature is below 0 degrees and is safe to

use with any ball powder. It may not be particularly advantageous to use with a fast-
burning powder, and despite their expense, they may be the only primer that is available
to the reloader.

The bottom line is that they are completely safe to use in non-Magnum rounds despite
their ominous-sounding name.

Shotgun primers are used for reloading shotgun shells and are used in lieu of percussion

caps in certain inline modern muzzle-loading rifles. They cannot be used to reload pistol
or rifle ammunition.

Reloading Equipment

There is an entire industry dedicated to the reloading of center fire ammunition apart
from the individual ammunition components. A reloading press can cost anywhere from
$30 to $30,000 depending upon its intended use.

The Lee Loader

The Lee Loader is a pocket-sized
reloading tool available in a variety of
pistol and rifle calibers. The company
claims that a single round of
ammunition can be loaded using this
tool in as little as 30 seconds.

This tool is commonly used in the
field by Bench rest rifle shooters,
who reload their fired brass on the
firing line, and is perfect for a bug out

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