Federal LE HST 45acp P45HST2 with both small and large primers?

[22plinker]

Hi,

I've been shooting the same Federal Premium LE Tactical HST 45acp 230gr P45HST2 for years. I just happened to look at a pic I have of some rounds and noticed that some have a smaller primer and some have a larger primer.

They both have the same exact bullet, cannelured nickel plated casing but 2 different sized primers.

Does anyone know why they are like this and what the difference is? (even though they both have the same exact part number)

Thanks for any info

Matt

you can see the primers in this pic, the smaller ones have the blue sealant (it's the 30 rounds to the right in the case)​

 

[22plinker]

I guess the older HST had the bigger primers and the newer HST has the smaller ones.
The older red/orange/black boxes have the larger primers and the newer gold/blue/black boxes have the small primers. (the newer boxes are shown in the attached pic below)

Looks like a lot of MFG's are switching to the smaller primers for 45acp. I can only assume it's a cost thing if they both work the same.

"Federal Cartridge specifically started loading their renowned 45ACP HST cartridges with small pistol primers in around 2019. Seems the small primers work just fine for the cartridge after all, so brass manufacturers are adapting them to accept it."

Matt

 

[Mannyy]

I know for Reloaders the advantage is you don’t have to swap your primer shuttle on your progressive press. Switching between large and small primers is a huge pain in the ass from what I hear.

 

[Forkknifegamer67]

I hope that all manufacturers do this soon. Only needing to stock one primer is so nice

 

[22plinker]

I know for Reloaders the advantage is you don’t have to swap your primer shuttle on your progressive press. Switching between large and small primers is a huge pain in the ass from what I hear.

I hope that all manufacturers do this soon. Only needing to stock one primer is so nice

From what I read today, there's a lot of MFG's now going with the SPP for the 45acp round.

I'm curious why now instead of a long time ago if they both work fine.

Matt

 

[Gawernator]

All my .45 has the big primer I think, but cool, I didn't even know this was a thing

 

[22plinker]

All my .45 has the big primer I think, but cool, I didn't even know this was a thing

Neither did I until I noticed it with the HST in the pic today.

If the small primer works I can see where it will certainly be easier for reloaders.

Matt

 

[Forkknifegamer67]

From what I read today, there's a lot of MFG's now going with the SPP for the 45acp round.

I'm curious why now instead of a long time ago if they both work fine.

Matt

Institutional inertia mostly I bet. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it type thinking, I suppose nobody wanted to be the first to do it so it took a while for someone to buck up and do it. To be fair it did annoy some hand loaders because they now had to be mindful of what brass they picket up. Maybe speer’s 45 acp case maker finally wore out and they decided to try something new with the replacement.

The amount of spark generated by the different primer sizes is mostly the same plus modern powders go bang better than they ever did. I know from reloading my own any velocity loss can be made up with only a tenth or two of a grain of powder, nothing really, if anything needs to be changed at all. Also 45 acp is not really all that large and uses standard easy to ignite powders. Modern SPPs are more than capable of handling it.
Large primers probably aren’t going away for magnum or larger cartridges for a while, although buffalo bore does load 45-70 with small rifle primers.