CCI Magnum Small Pistol Primer #550

The CCI Magnum Small Pistol Primer is a specialized component in ammunition reloading, designed to deliver hotter and more consistent ignition in handgun cartridges that require extra energy to ignite slow-burning or hard-to-light powder charges.

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🔹 Product Overview

• Brand: CCI (Cascade Cartridge Inc.)

• Type: Magnum Small Pistol Primer

• Part Number: Typically referred to as CCI #550

• Size: Small Pistol

• Intended Use: For magnum pistol loads or cartridges using ball/spherical powders that require a hotter spark

• Packaging: Usually in 100-count and 1,000-count boxes

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🔹 Key Features

1. Hotter Ignition

• CCI Magnum primers provide a hotter and more sustained flame, ideal for igniting slow-burning powders commonly used in magnum pistol cartridges like:

  • .357 Magnum

  • .44 Magnum

  • .327 Federal Magnum

2. Cleaner Burning

• Engineered to burn cleaner than older primers, reducing fouling in your firearm and improving cycling reliability.

3. Consistent Sensitivity

• Designed with tight tolerances for uniform ignition, even in extreme weather or temperature swings.

4. Non-Corrosive & Non-Mercuric

• Safe for both firearms and reloaders—doesn’t damage barrels or actions.

5. Tougher Primer Cup

• The primer cup is harder than standard small pistol primers to reduce the risk of slam fires in semi-automatic firearms or when used in high-pressure loads.

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🔹 When to Use

Use CCI Magnum Small Pistol Primers (#550) when:

• Your reloading data specifies a magnum primer

• You’re loading with spherical/ball powders like Winchester 296 or H110, which are harder to ignite

• Your goal is better ignition consistency in cold climates

⚠️ Do not substitute magnum primers in place of standard primers without adjusting the load. Doing so increases chamber pressure and can be dangerous unless you follow tested load data.

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🔹 Reloading Considerations

• Always consult up-to-date reloading manuals from trusted sources like Hornady, Lyman, or Hodgdon when using magnum primers.

• Changing from standard to magnum primers can increase pressure by 2,000–6,000 PSI in some cases.

• Be sure to reduce the powder charge and work up slowly if experimenting.

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🔹 Compatibility

• Fits any cartridge that accepts a small pistol primer pocket.

• Not suitable for cartridges requiring standard small pistol primers unless specified.

• Not interchangeable with small rifle primers, which have different cup thickness and pressure tolerances.

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🔹 Common Loads

Cartridges often loaded with CCI #550 primers include:

• .357 Magnum

• .44 Magnum

• .32 H&R Magnum

• .327 Federal Magnum

• 9mm +P loads (when specific load data calls for it)

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🔹 Availability

Due to high demand and supply chain disruptions, CCI primers, especially magnum types, may be hard to find. They are typically sold through:

• Brownells

• Cabela’s / Bass Pro Shops

• Local gun shops and reloading suppliers