Firing a primer in an empty case?

[skidooman603]

Will firing a primer in an otherwise unloaded case damage a rifle?

 

[Ian]

Nope.

 

[skidooman603]

Thanks Ian...Cool website ya have there by the way

 

[GunsAmerica Fan]

Just make sure you clean the gun because primers are slightly corrosive, all of them. Check after the first one to see if they are punching through, because that would indicate that the firing pin is slamming against the bolt face, which would work harden it as if you were dry firing. To some extent the backblast of the boom does cushion the pin, and on an M1A or something, where the hammer is really really heavy, it might need it.

 

[Sav .250]

Would be interested in the '''reason" for doing so.

 

[skidooman603]

My reasoning being I have been having issues with a K 31 that wasn't making Firing pin contact with the primer unless resized just perfectly.. Thanks for asking

 

[Steve Marshall]

Some shoulders might get moved forward.

 

[skidooman603]

Just wanted to make sure everything was cool with getting the shoulders far enough back which I found was my problem. A little tweak on the sizing die and now we are rocking. First time reloading for the K-31. Looked like it would close all the way then no fire. I had read about this issue with the Swiss rifles so basically wasn't too stumped. First time you load for something new there is a learning curve.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Would be interested in the '''reason" for doing so.

I've done it for the reasons others have explained, to make sure the firing pin wasn't hitting too light, too deep, piercing the primer, etc.

If I suspected a firing pin could pierce the primer I sure wouldn't want to test it on a fully loaded round.

 

[skidooman603]

Amen Texas

 

[skidooman603]

Besides it's funny to watch the dog jump

 

[Bwana John]

Dont waste that primer!

Spit balls make fun projectiles

 

[Uncle Mike]

Candle wax works well also!

Careful, it will break mom's picture window...oh yeah, still got the marks!
It's all fun until......