upside-down primer

[gtutmark]

was just going through some free used brass and found one with a primer in UPSIDE DOWN -
can this safely be removed or should i throw it away? 
brass is getting spendy (almost a buck each in this size) - i'd hate to lose one
thanks
gt

[Dee]

This little event has happened to me many times over the last 40+ years of reloading, and usually happens mostly when using my progressive press, but a primer has flipped on me unnoticed in my Rock Crusher with the same results.
One has only to decap the round in the normal manner, with gentle pressure, rather than quickly ramming the casing into the decapping die. In the event that the primer should go off, there is little chance for injury as the gas is not captured. I would recommend wearing safety glasses during the procedure however.

[gtutmark]

thanks, dee
i'll try it - verrry carefully
gt

[Dee]

No problem gtut. As I said, the gas will be minimal, and will be routed down. Unless captured, and contained it will merely be a loud pop. One has NEVER done so on me in the many years. Go easy, and you will be fine.

[gtutmark]

i sqwooze it out gently -
i used a lee loader decapper and a C-clamp - wrapped in a towel
worked like a charm - surprisingly easy
primer didn't even get a mark on it
thanks for the tip
hopefully, i'll not be needing it again
greg

[Savage]

Good to be cautious, but as Dee stated, just deprime on the press using slow steady pressure. I've been reloading since the 60s and have had a few flipped primers. Never had one go off using this method. If you load any volume, you'll have this problem from time to time. It's no big deal.
Savage

[Dezynco]

Yes just gently decap it as if it were a spent primer.  However, with the price of primers these days, I'd flip it back over and reuse it!   

[gtutmark]

trust me, i did
gt