Decapping live primers?

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I0sens

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Hi

Just made my first big boo-boo (and probably not the last).
"Experience is if you made every mistake at least once" right?

Anyway I had to pull the bullets to reload them again.
I neck size only - no crimp.

Here is my multipart question:

1. Do I need to re-size the neck after pulling the bullets - I would think so and I started to do it...

...until I realized that I was going to decap live primers. Hmmmm?

2. I was careful so nothing happened.
I was always wondering how bad a primer going off is? Did you ever have this happen to you ? During priming or depriming? How bad is it?


3. What do I do to sensibly depose of the live primers? Pure oil over them? alcohol?


Thanks
 
You can resize the case with the decapping pin removed.

I decap live primers and reuse them - always wear eye protection when working with primers.
 
Why dispose of them, they are still good, unless you crushed them when seating them. I would not use them in real important ammo, but they are fine for plinking ammo.

Jimmy K
 
I was decapping (more or less) live primers out of some old military 30-06 pull-apart components I got at a gun show when I elbowed the lever of my Rockchucker. The lever dropped down, cramming the primed shell into the die and detonating the primer.

:eek:

Other than squinching me up tight enough to pass a Tiffany cufflink, it was no calamity. It didn't even break the decapping pin - which surprised me. A little cleaning in the die and a fresh pair of underwear, and I was back in business in no time.

KR
 
Primers are made to go bang when struck from the "outside", not if pushed from the inside. When I need to decap a live primer I do is slowly and I reuse the primer. I've never had one go bang, there is really no reason it should. (like said above, always use eye protection)
 
Go really slow......

I've hit them with hammers. While pretty cool and noisy, it's not like a bomb either. Make sure you have the safety glasses on.

Officially, we all are telling you not to do it....But....
 
If one is pushing a primer out with a press what could happen? The back of the primer, being the cup will eject out of the case and go down into the press, no harm there. The anvil is held in the primer pocket and no where to go, no harm there. The gases are in the case which should be enclosed inside the die and held by the depriming pin, should be no problem there.

We're talking about a VERY small amount of compound here and everything enclosed, I see no problem.

Wear eye protection, just as you should have on when reloading anyway. Just as you should put on your seat belt.
 
3. What do I do to sensibly depose of the live primers? Pure oil over them? alcohol?
Click to expand...

Every live primer I have removed I have re-used no problem. All have gone bang. I have never had a primer go off during removal or seating...I have even had a few get seated sideways over the years and get smushed good....:confused:
 
Every live primer I have removed I have re-used no problem. All have gone bang. I have never had a primer go off during removal or seating...I have even had a few get seated sideways over the years and get smushed good....
Click to expand...

Correct!! Primers ignite/go off/whatever you want to call it, by a sharp impact, not by crushing. Just like exploding targets go off from bullet impact not by handling.
 
I agree with the Dillon warning, if you are using a Dillon progressive press.

It doesn't apply to a single stage press and depriming them one round at a time and properly getting the live primer out of the thick of the action.

If you have a primer catcher full of live primers, or a primer feed tube full of live primers, don't do it!

Otherwise, do it.

rc
 
I agree with the Dillon warning, if you are using a Dillon progressive press.
Click to expand...
The OP didnt say what press he was using
Besides, many single stage presses have spent primer cups as well.
Thanks for your advice but I'll stick with Dillon's.
 
I would bet that Dillons warning is lawyer advised.

We're living in a socity with all kinds of warnings. How many here actually let their lawn mowers cool down before gassing up. Ever read and follow to the letter all the warnings and cautions when using lawn fertilizer. The list goes on and on. I find it amazing folks still have the nerve to drive on todays roads.

End comment--Hitch up your pants and get a pair.
 
I would bet that Dillons warning is lawyer advised.
Click to expand...

Absolutely - and I would imagine the other makers have something similar.

Decapping live primers is NOT that big a deal - go slow and easy and you'll be fine. I have decapped live primers for one reason or another for over 25 years and have NEVER had any issue, even when I dropped them on the floor and then vacuumed them up with my shop vac.
 
If your sizing die has a removable decapping pin, do so and have at it. If not, then be gentle but have at it.
 
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to answer your question, used motor oil make them inert & also contained .. Let your conscience be your guide .. I *cringe when i do it, and Any Reloading book says NO.. We all take chances in life Until ... That's why there is snake eyes on dice .. Your Call .. * Oh yea, I saw (2) wheelguns blow the cylinders apart ( not mine ) due to ' faulty reloading practices .. Stay Safe ..
 
I have been using motor oil for 40 years to get rid of old loaded cartridges, primers, etc.
I can tell you --after they have been in the bottle for 4-5 years---they don't fire.
Don't forget to wipe them off for testing..........................:D
 
Yeah, because for 4-5 YEARS, you have a live round sitting there.........right............

decap the primers - don't want to reuse? Hit them with a hammer on the floor of your garage - sound just like firecrackers. It's NOT a big deal, stop trying to make it like disarming a nuclear device............
 
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