It is generally possible to reduce your powder charge by .5 to a full grain of powder and use a "magnum" primer. The lower charge is offset by the hotter flash. In times such as these, you'd be foolish to pass up ANY 209 size primers. If they're CCI primers, why not give CCI a call to get their advice.

I think I would just keep them Paul.

John, I'm using 209m primers right now and followed your advice above. No discernible difference in shooting with these primers.

If you are using Alliant or Hodgdon power for 12 ga. you have lots of data for different primers. Look for loads you have components for that have low pressures. I asked Alliant about substituting Fed 209A primers in their 20 & 28 gauge receipts. Here is what they said:

At this time we are working off from two independent studies where only primers were changed in load data. From these studies, swings in pressure by as much as 2500 PSI were noted. Based on this we are using the guideline that if pressures fall between 6500 - 8500 PSI, a primer swap is allowed.
Looking at our load data and using your components (Remington hull, CB1034-20, Remington 209P primers (used in testing) and velocities between 1200 -1250 FPS, the charges of 20/28 propellant would be 14.4 - 15.4 grains. The pressures for these loads are 7200 - 8200 PSI. So in this case yes you could use the Federal 209A primer.
Thanks,
Duane V. /Technical Service Representative

Here is what he said for 28 gauge loads and Fed 209A primers.
In this case, based on the same information I relayed to you on the 20 gauge loads, you would not be able to use the Federal primers. The one load we have for your components has a pressure in exess of 11670 PSI. This is well beyond the window mentioned in the earlier email.
Shotshell -
Gauge: 28
Hull Length: 2 3/4
Hull Brand: Win AA
Primer Brand: Fed 209A
Shot Type: 8 magnum
Shot Weight (oz.): 3/4
Wad Make/Model: Win AA HS
Desired Velocity: 1200-1250
Powder: 20/28

Things May Be Looking Better
 

A small local gun shop received a shipment of Win 209 primers on Friday, 3/26. Not many but at least some. Charging $45/1000.

A friend attended a small gun show in Northern Indiana yesterday. He stated that venders were asking $150 a thousand for shotgun primers. Rifle primers were higher.

I am hearing reports of $200/1000 from a local ammunition shop. And people paying it! Unreal.

At a small gun show in Gettysburg PA yesterday, $150 per thousand was the universal price on most tables for rifle & pistol primers. Shotshell primers were virtually unobtainable; I saw a partial brick (600) W209 primers sell for $40. The more common powders were going for $ 30 per pound; bags of wads at 250 count were bringing $ 10 apiece. Standard trap and skeet loads for 12 and 20 gauge were routinely hawked at $15 per box of 25 with very few dealer's exceptions. Identical situation at the VA Gun Collectors Spring Show today in Manassas VA. NO slack anywhere!

Fifteen minutes from me a shop is getting some, and limits them to 300 per person, at $4.50 (roughly) per 100 for 209's. He said, "You can come back tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after, and get 300 each day, but no more." I can't really argue with that as he's got pressure to sell. And he's not gouging. He had some rifle powders on the shelf at $35 per pound, nothing most folks would use and I will continue to support those who don't gouge.

If you keep telling guys where the primers are they will be gone again!! Kind of like what happens when you find a good gunsmith/stocker and let others know, your projects go from a few weeks to 1 1/2 years!! :shock: