Discount for second-hand primers, unused, less than a decade old

[Sport45]

Well they were used, so somewhat of a discount would be appropriate. Especially since one box had only 40 of the original 100 primers in it. From what I can tell, those were the only ones missing.

After reading that I'd be suspicious of all the "second hand" primers. How do you know any of them are actually what's supposed to be in the box? They may be spilled primers that were reboxed and put on a shelf in the back so they wouldn't be sold...

 

[Slamfire]

You can assume ten year old gunpowder has lost half its shelf life, but primers last a lot longer. I asked an Insensitive Munitions expert about the lifetime of primers and he said "infinite". Well they are not infinite but compared to the lifetime of gunpowder, the lifetime of primers is a lot longer.

Heat will deteriorate primers that is about the only issue that I am aware of. As long as they were not stored in the attic they old primers ought to be good.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I fire a lot of pre-1899 revolvers and rifles. The steel used in the 19th Century isn't necessarily what it is today. I would be hesitant to use a Magnum primer in any of these firearms. Besides, much of what I shoot is black powder, and black powder ignites rather readily.

Whether or not you use a magnum firearm, modern or not, with brass headstamped "Magnum" or not, the primer used is a small factor. The amount and quickness of the powder is a MUCH greater factor.

Don't misunderstand, if you switch from standard to magnum primers, you can expect moderately higher pressure, so reducing your powder charge a bit is prudent, but there is no reason not to use magnum primers if you work up your load with care.

Now, there is a danger using standard primers where magnum primers are called for. If you are using a hard-to-ignite powder (or other loads that are "interesting" in an internal ballistics sense). But the other way around? not so much.

I note that, as you mentioned, Black Powder is vastly different from smokeless powder.

Lost Sheep

 

[hdwhit]

So, essentially it became a buy three, get one free deal. I found on the internet how to determine the date of manufacture of primers and these are dating from 2007 to 2010. I am happy with the deal.

I would be, too.

For me it would have been a different story if the primers had had a Gibson's or a Howard's label on them and lot numbers dating from the mid-1980s (which I have a bunch of).

And, No, metalguy, I won't send them to you for "proper disposal"

 

[orpington]

After reading that I'd be suspicious of all the "second hand" primers. How do you know any of them are actually what's supposed to be in the box? They may be spilled primers that were reboxed and put on a shelf in the back so they wouldn't be sold...

Well, it was the top box within the larger box, so it looks like to me that these 60 were used and the rest remain. They could have been reboxed but I think this is unlikely. I have never used magnum primers before, so would their appearance differ from a standard primer? That would be the way to tell if these standard boxes could have been reboxed with something else like magnum primers. Again, I find this highly unlikely. Also, I really should know by now if it is possible to tell the difference between a magnum and standard primer outside of its original packaging, except I simply have no use for magnum primers, given the firearms I am likely to shoot. Therefore, I lack experience handling them.

 

[mmorris]

Standard on left... Magnum on right

 

[orpington]

You can assume ten year old gunpowder has lost half its shelf life, but primers last a lot longer. I asked an Insensitive Munitions expert about the lifetime of primers and he said "infinite". Well they are not infinite but compared to the lifetime of gunpowder, the lifetime of primers is a lot longer.

Heat will deteriorate primers that is about the only issue that I am aware of. As long as they were not stored in the attic they old primers ought to be good.

Where did you hear that ten year old gunpowder has lost half its life? I have heard if kept cool and dry, gunpowder will last for at least many decades.

 

[Reefinmike]

Standard on left... Magnum on right

For what it's worth, the two different lot of cci SPM that I have both have a yellow paper in them, not red as you have.

In fact, I cant see a visible difference between CCI SPP, SPM and SRP.

 

[TexasDon]

Heck, I'm still using some new old stock CCI SPP & SRP in the little match box size that are inserted sideways.
I can't EVEN remember when I bought them....

Just like the little bunny...their s-t-i-l-l going..... ........

TxD

 

[Bama Drifter]

Way to go Orpington!
That's what I call the "haggler's dream". I'll take buy three get one free any time on any reloading component... Life is Good.

 

[mmorris]

For what it's worth, the two different lot of cci SPM that I have both have a yellow paper in them, not red as you have.

My bad.
I photographed one of two trays of 100 I had bought individually, because they were on top and easy to grab. I just now looked at several from my boxed 1000 packs, and there is no difference (both yellow).

 

[orpington]

Way to go Orpington!
That's what I call the "haggler's dream". I'll take buy three get one free any time on any reloading component... Life is Good.

And you think I did well this time? Try a few years ago, when you couldn't even get gunpowder, there were 8 cans of second-hand UNOPENED IMR powder, in the metal containers it used to come in, for sale. I think they were $15 each, and there were 8 of them, and I offered to buy all 8 at once, at a discount off the $15, and somehow managed to walk out the door with all 8 at a lesser price. In February, I was offered a beautiful Colt 1877 at 1/3 of what it is really worth, and I still had to see if I could get a bit more off, and I did! So, I LOVE haggling! However, someday ask me about the Colt 1861 Navy revolver I paid too much money for years ago (not sure what I was thinking, maybe because they aren't too terribly common and this one has a low serial number). But, I think of that purchase and it reminds me to always "do better", and I think I have made back since then SEVERAL TIMES OVER what I (over)paid for that!

 

[Lost Sheep]

And you think I did well this time? Try a few years ago, when you couldn't even get gunpowder, there were 8 cans of second-hand UNOPENED IMR powder, in the metal containers it used to come in, for sale. I think they were $15 each, and there were 8 of them, and I offered to buy all 8 at once, at a discount off the $15, and somehow managed to walk out the door with all 8 at a lesser price. In February, I was offered a beautiful Colt 1877 at 1/3 of what it is really worth, and I still had to see if I could get a bit more off, and I did! So, I LOVE haggling! However, someday ask me about the Colt 1861 Navy revolver I paid too much money for years ago (not sure what I was thinking, maybe because they aren't too terribly common and this one has a low serial number). But, I think of that purchase and it reminds me to always "do better", and I think I have made back since then SEVERAL TIMES OVER what I (over)paid for that!

Some people regard bargaining with shopkeepers an enjoyable pastime not unlike Chess, Poker or other competitions of the mind.

It is a fine sport when practiced between equals.

Lost Sheep