Author Topic: Questions (Read 571 times)

Bart Solo · « **on:** December 30, 2004, 06:25:31 PM »

Over the last seveal years I have accumlated a couple of cases with live primers (no bullets or powder) as a result of a couple of reloads gone bad -- I am still learning. How do I deal with the live primers? Just shoot them at the range or what?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2004, 01:13:18 AM »

Sure you can do that. Or you could spray something inside the case like WD-40 to kill them and deprime as usual. Just have to clean the gunk out of the case or it will kill primers in the future.

Me I just deprime them same as if they had been fired. In the last 40+ years of reloading I've deprimed hundreds for one reason or another like this and never had a problem yet. If you chose to do this the risk is yours. Some seem to think the risk is high. I personally don't think you could make one go off this way, at least none ever have for me.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2004, 02:09:06 AM »

I too, like Graybeard, just deprime them in the press. I made the mistake of poping off a live primer in the house (had it pointing somewhere safe mind you) in one of my handguns without hearing protection. NEVER AGAIN. Bringin empty cases to the range just to pop off primers is a hassle if you ask me. So I decided to just do it on the press despite everyones naysaying. Of course you dont want to ram that sucker out of there, just push it out. Ive also done this to primers that have been seated the wrong way in my Lee primer. When they come out there is barely a little scuff on the primer so I just reuse those and they work fine. But the key is to be very gentle.
Brian M.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2004, 06:01:27 AM »

You've gotten good advice.

You can go the very safe route and fire them at the range, or soak them in something that will penetrate (it may take quite some time - several folks have tried experiments with this).

Or you can gently decap them.

Let me just add that when a primer goes off (when it's not in the chamber) has enough power to launch itself - and it has enough power to end up UNDER the skin. Don't ask - besides I was a teenager then.

Chuck White · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2004, 07:14:03 AM »

Ron;
I, like some others deprime the live primed cases in my press!

Be safe though! Wear eye and ear protection, especially when doing this procedure!

If you have a lot of cases to deprime, don't let too many of the live primers accumulate in your primer catcher before you empty it! No need in inviting possible troubles there either!

NOTE: I have tried to make a primer go off by depriming a live case and I just don't think that one can move the ram quickly enought to ignite the primer!

Just go smooth and steady and you shouldn't have any problems!

swecology · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2005, 02:31:26 AM »

I deprime in my reloading shop.

Put on a pair of ear muffs ( or plugs) and deprime in your firearm one by one.

It beats trying to do it in the press and setting something off unintentionally - emphasis on unintentionally.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2005, 08:04:03 PM »

Stick the cases into some wax about a 1/4 inch thick then pop some soda cans with them, might as well have some fun while your working. :grin:

Loader 3009 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2005, 01:25:12 AM »

Let me add that you should NOT fire the primers in a revolver or it will lock up your cylinder.

When a loaded round is fired, the primer is forced out of the primer pocket but the case is pushed back and re-seats it. With no bullet to act against, the primer contacts the recoil shield and remains there, locking up the cylinder. Rubber hammer time. :?