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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Blitzfike" data-source="post: 2485640" data-attributes="member: 807"><p>The only difference in primer size is the large pistol and large rifle. The cup size on the small rifle and small pistol primers are the same size. The cup is harder normally on the rifle primer to withstand the higher pressures and account for the lighter strike on the primer in handguns. Rifle primers do have a somewhat higher energy flash than pistol primers, and of all the brands I have researched, the Federal have the hottest primer out there. If you load is at or near maximum, you might drop back a little and work back up watching for pressure increases. The only reliable way for the home loader to do this is with a chronograph, looking at velocities and comparing them to published data. I have looked at primer flattening, measured the web area of the case before and after firing and while it was in interesting experiment, it didn't completely track with the velocity measurements.  I find that the chronograph is the main tool I use in load development. Good luck with the experiments.</p></blockquote><p></p>