What do you guys do when a primer gets jammed in the pick up tube? Having military training with explosives I knew what not to do. But that didn't stop me. Just wondering if you guys have any secrets you would be willing to pass on. It is the large primer pick up tube I am having the problem with using winchester Large pistol primers.
Dillon Primer Pick up tubes
- Thread starter gab909
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northark147
Member
Personally I do exactly what it says in the manual. I toss that sucker in the trash (okay I put it down range and shoot the <deleted> out of it) and call Dillon to send me a new one.
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loadedround
Member
Northark is correct in the proper safety procedure. However it happenened to me once and I soaked it in water for an hour and then sprayed the inside with WD-40 and proceded to knock it loose with a hammer and a long pin. At the time it was the only primer tube I had and wanted to use it. My bad!
snuffy
Member
Why are people so paranoid about primers? You'd think a primer is a small bomb!
Primers have to be struck hard by a firing pin dead center with the anvil tight against the bottom of the primer pocket, in order to fire. Push that primer out GENTLY, no hammering, it'll come right out.
243winxb
Member
Pushed one out last year. Then cleaned the tube, just like a rifle barrel. If a light push dont remove it, then i guess you got to scrap it.
That was what I was afraid of. I only have two of the large primers tubes, but about 15 small ones. I only load for two pistols with it, both with large primers. Not about to load 223 with it, because I use Varget and don't shoot my rifles enough to worry about it. On a side note the hammer works well, if I would have put my earplugs in. 
I have the same problem, Winchester large primers going in sideways in the tube. I use a flat head nails close to the size of the primer tube inserted one after the other to push primer out. Sometimes even one nail will knock the primer out. Just remove the plastic pick up piece and pin at other end and add nails from the end where the pin is to push the primer out.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Wow. So much worry about such a little thing!
I use the long plastic rod from the low-primer warning device to push them out. No worries, and I've never ever ever had one "pop" doing that.
I've lit off a primer in a press before (a friend's 650) and after that you tend to lose your fear of how big a deal it really is.
I use the long plastic rod from the low-primer warning device to push them out. No worries, and I've never ever ever had one "pop" doing that.
I've lit off a primer in a press before (a friend's 650) and after that you tend to lose your fear of how big a deal it really is.
Bush Pilot
Member
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This is exactly how I do it too. It's amazing how handy those little plastic rods are. If I'm using a barrel (out of the gun) for testing I commonly use the rod to push the snug round out. I can't imagine dousing everything in WD-40. BTW, ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN HANDLING PRIMERS IN ANY CAPACITY.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
It can make a difference, but sometimes it "just happens."
I've found it more likely to happen with Federals, but not exclusively.
I've found it more likely to happen with Federals, but not exclusively.
243winxb
Member
Primer Tube KABOOM
One i can handle. Watch out when they gang up on you.
Cop Bob
Member
Same with me.. I had the same issue not more than two hours ago.. Be gentle, should not be a problem...
medalguy
Member
Hardwood wooden dowel and a hammer, problem solved.
Still Shooting
Member
+1 for the bamboo skewer (blunt end) - just used one on my Redding large primer tube - gentle push, and done.
MarkDozier
Member.
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- May 15, 2006
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- 375
Just had one today. Use my bronze rod to knock it out.
gab, I believe Dillon will send you a new one for free. If I were you, I'd have them send me a new one, start a soak of the old one to neutralize it, and work with the one you have left in the meantime. If you can neutralize it and feel like you can safely remove it later, then you'll have a spare, and if not, then you won't have lost much time waiting to see if it would work or not. Obviously Dillon values your safety and walks the talk so to speak, so there is not reason not to go about it safely.
I've also noticed Federal LPs seem to stick a lot.
I've also noticed Federal LPs seem to stick a lot.
medalguy
Member
Primers are made today such that they are practically indestructible. I don't think you can soak them in anything (water, oil, chicken fat, whatever) and destroy the priming compound. As Sam said, such angst over such a little thing!
utahvaughn
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2011
- Messages
- 10
Dillon primerpick-up tubes
Brush,clean,and wax(car wax) inside of tube. Look at your primers, some brands have the anvil overhanging the edge of the cup.
Brush,clean,and wax(car wax) inside of tube. Look at your primers, some brands have the anvil overhanging the edge of the cup.
Gee, I feel left out. I've never stuck a primer in the pickup tubes or the feed tubes. Guess the quarter-century old stuff really is better. 
On the other hand, I'm going to use that scrub and wax tip on the feed tubes and maybe they'll feed more smoothly and stop dropping so many on the ram sideways. I've tried what I believe is everything else and am at wit's end.
I too do not fear the one-at-a-time primers. I run upside down ones back through the sizer die (gently), turn 'em and reseat them properly with no ill effects. They really are pretty tough little buggers. However, I torched one off on my bench using a spring-loaded center punch once and the resulting shrapnel storm was pretty impressive and will make you respect proper safety precautions when handling them. And on another safety first note, I recently had one detonate as I seated it, due to a kernel of walnut hull media that found its way on to the priming ram. First time that ever happened in 30+ years of reloading. Unnerved me enough I had to take a little coffee break with a potty stop.
On the other hand, I'm going to use that scrub and wax tip on the feed tubes and maybe they'll feed more smoothly and stop dropping so many on the ram sideways. I've tried what I believe is everything else and am at wit's end.
I too do not fear the one-at-a-time primers. I run upside down ones back through the sizer die (gently), turn 'em and reseat them properly with no ill effects. They really are pretty tough little buggers. However, I torched one off on my bench using a spring-loaded center punch once and the resulting shrapnel storm was pretty impressive and will make you respect proper safety precautions when handling them. And on another safety first note, I recently had one detonate as I seated it, due to a kernel of walnut hull media that found its way on to the priming ram. First time that ever happened in 30+ years of reloading. Unnerved me enough I had to take a little coffee break with a potty stop.
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