Decapping live primers?

Status
Not open for further replies.
-Accidental detonation in a full Dillon XL650 primer magazine => NOT FUN!

-Making a half dozen or so screw ups go bang with my Lee classic loader's
punch and shell holder =>Priceless!
 
I picked up a new Fed. SPP in a tight location with a pair of needle nose pliars--it went bang. Actually no big deal at all when unconfined and not in with 100 more just like it.
 
I picked up a new Fed. SPP in a tight location with a pair of needle nose pliars--it went bang. Actually no big deal at all when unconfined and not in with 100 more just like it.
Click to expand...

Not doubting you at all, but that had to be a 1 in a billion happenstance. Think how many black powder caps are banging around in shooters bags ect, being shoved onto nipples ect., ect.

That was quite a happening you had.
 
i've heard federal primers are both hot and temperamental...... any truth ?

I had NO idea you could remove live primers from the flash side. I figured it would crush the anvil and ruin the primer. I hit a shotgun primer with a hammer when i was a kid, the hammer bounced right back and i clawed the back of my head. That instilled a fear of primers in me for awhile, regardless of the fact that i was only 5 or so.
 
Yes, absolutely ..* Lee hand primers with the squeeze handle & round primer tray comes with a warning : " It is not recommended to use this product with federal primers " .. This was finally put out by Lee after so many reloaders had detonations using it .. You had no idea you could remove them from the 'flash side' Because you'll 'never find it written in Any reloading book I've ever had or heard about .. Put the brass case in your gun inert / ( no powder ) & pop it . it's easier to clean the barrel than replace your eye . always point in a safe direction of course. + it beats using a hammer for the lord's sake * added info : Federal primer co is the only one to use a 'basic' mix .. this is different and more sensitive than all the other manuf's .. They also never touch eachother in their trays when shipped due to that reason .. The boxes are much larger than other's and the trays are the reason why.. Yes, due to the fact that detonations Have occured Lee issued the above warning* .. Do i use them myself , yes on occasion & they are a fine primer . However, i limit the amount in the tray to 10 or so .. would i ever load them in a 'tube' ( 100 ) on top of eachother , I'll Pass , Thankyou ..
 
Last edited:
I had NO idea you could remove live primers from the flash side. I figured it would crush the anvil and ruin the primer.
Click to expand...
Remember, the live primer was just put into clean brass and not fired. Because it wasn't fired it didn't stretch in the brass so it comes out with VERY little pressure from the decapper. Like I said above, I've used every live primer I've taken out of brass over again and all want bang. I'm not saying I've done 1000's but I'm guessing over the years there have been 50 or so for 1 reason or another.
 
that is assuming that the brass in new / clean . i've cleaned oh over 70,000 cases and 'not all once fired' .. I inserted the 'new' (not any prior pulled) primers and some fell out of the brass pockets they were so worn .. I'll just pass onto recycling anything but 'good brass/nickel cases .. thanks
 
Last edited:
jcwit said:
Whats the determination that brass is "good".? Just wondering.
Click to expand...
quite simple for me at least.. primer pockets that are so worn out, they will not hold a primer any longer.. 'manual seating pretty much tells you when you have 'bad worn out brass .. instead of the normal 'resistance' it goes in way way too easy .. getting away from the primers, i will 'never' load any case neck w/splits either .. any telltale case 'head indicator's ( lines /bulging will be rejected also.
I do a lot of client based loading and i will never put out trash & always will strive to supercede any factory cartridges & in many instances, mine have been proven way better .. I have very high 'book' standards & i will not lower them to 'save a buck' ...this is done for safety first, then reputation later.
( please bear in mind that i'm speaking of rifle cartridges here ) I hope this helps you some ..
 
Last edited:
Ok. I don't do any reloading for any one and do not shoot reloades from anyone else.

In my approx. 50 years of reloading I've only encountered a few "as in less than 10" loose primer pockets. And they were all in 45 acp brass, don't remember what flavor.

Currently only reload 2 rifle cartridges much at all. I reload some 30/06 for use in my Garand, and some .223 for casual bench shooting. The .223 brass has been reloaded over 60 times now with no indication of loose pockets, head seperation, or neck cracks. Neck size only.

I guess all my brass is good, at least it has been so far, and Lord Knows I'll never use it all up. Heck I can't find time to get it all cleaned or polished, nor can I find time to get all my lead melted into ingots.
 
Last edited:
Ok, well allow me to first say the use of the term 'clients' may have been misleading ..
they are or were all friends and people in the neighborhood/ town here ..( including a gunshop owner ) There is no profit as i did the requests for my cost in most cases ( no pun intended ) .. You have been extremely fortunate to have found 'no suspect cases with unacceptable pockets ..( yes, i had some .45 acp's also ) .. i own a rcbs work station & will not use 'steel bristles in my brass pockets.
In one batch of .223's alone off the net , i had (14 ) ! .. Not military / but commercial ..
i'm in the same boat as you are, and right now i have over 100 lbs of lead & more brass than i'll ever get to in all kinds of calibers, used and brand new also < in the minority ..
I have a 'just retired best buddy from LEO and he'll test fire any changes i make in powders / bullets etc; .. i applaud your dedication to the sport & wish you only the best .. p.s. the head seperation
comment was directed at the 'belted magnums & believe me with those pressures, you are not reloading them too many times ( and also not recommended ) (20) grns is one thing , (55 +) yet another ! ( all i ask is to be buried with my brass ) lol
 
Last edited:
I think I need to apologize here as it seems my post was implying you reload as in a business standpoint. Sorry did not mean that, was just stating that I do not reload for anyone else, rereading my first couple of sentences it came off all wrong. Very bad choice of wording on my part, and will edit. Sorry griz.
 
Dillon 650 kaboom

I was depriming .45 ACPs that were live with CCI primers. I was merrily chugging away and Kaboom.

Blew the little blue plastic catch bucket to smithereens.

I was wearing ear muffs and eye glasses, so only surprise, nothing more, thankfully.

I don't remember how many there were in the bucket, I am guessing about 5ish.

I have since done it several times; one at a time, now only after taking off the replacement waste primer bucket, and letting them fall. However, SLOWLY is now the way.
 
jcwit said:
I think I need to apologize here as it seems my post was implying you reload as in a business standpoint. Sorry did not mean that, was just stating that I do not reload for anyone else, rereading my first couple of sentences it came off all wrong. Very bad choice of wording on my part, and will edit. Sorry griz.
Click to expand...
i just answered your p/message .. please 'don't apologize as it might have been my poor choice of words .. As i've hit my mid 60's now , it seems i forget my own name at times ( lol ) .. add spelling to that too ! ..The Admin's here & or moderators are 'golden compared to some i've been on ! .. they are adult, understanding, tolerant and fairly easy on postings ..I've made some mistakes and apologized for doing so .. No harm no foul my friend ! .. ( caring is sharing ) ! .. my best !
 
cavman said:
I was depriming .45 ACPs that were live with CCI primers. I was merrily chugging away and Kaboom.

Blew the little blue plastic catch bucket to smithereens.

I was wearing ear muffs and eye glasses, so only surprise, nothing more, thankfully.

I don't remember how many there were in the bucket, I am guessing about 5ish.

I have since done it several times; one at a time, now only after taking off the replacement waste primer bucket, and letting them fall. However, SLOWLY is now the way.
Click to expand...
GREAT POST ! .. i wish the guy with the hammer smashing primers on his garage floor would read your posting ! .. I personally have been in (3) major combat mine explosions
back in the 60's & I know what it's like to still be carrying the schrapnel in my body from that + the burns .. Some people will 'always take chances & we'll never change that or them .. I'm just glad nothing worse happened to you .. stay safe !
 
I have used Winchester primers the past 15 years of reloading and Magtech/Wolf/PMC the past year and no accidental primer detonation. I have mashed and crushed many primers in the Lee Pro 1000, but no POP (Hand priming eliminated mashed/crushed primers forever).

I pick up range brass and I am averaging 2-5 loose primer pockets per 1000 (they get marked with "X" at the bottom of the case and put in separate box to be scrapped after shooting).
 
ditto re handpriming .. that's great with pick-up brass .. a lot of times you'll find that it's better to get those, than from the 'net ... many shooter's do not reload, so you will have a good chance of many once fired .. Good for you my friend ! .. 'awareness is what i was trying to stress .. do you reload any 'belted magnums ?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
Decaping Live Primers
Replies
17
Views
1K
ilbob
ilbob
tcoz
  • Locked
Decapping
Replies
11
Views
622
Frag
F
M
  • Locked
Has anyone decapped live primers?
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
280PLUS
2
tightgroup tiger
  • Locked
RCBS universal heavy duty decap die
Replies
10
Views
1K
joecil
J
E
  • Locked
Live Primers in brass assortment!
Replies
11
Views
672
billybob44
B
Back
Top