How do they get the priming stuff inside the primer?

[goon]

IIRC, the compound in a primer is lead stypnate.
Pretty wicked stuff that is obviously sensitive to shock.
So how do they get it into a primer without setting it off?
Just something I wondered about...
Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Priming compound is handled as a paste, reasonably safe when wet.
Glop it into the cups and then dry veyy, veyy gently.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Primers are actually a multi-part compound that MAY, or may not, include lead styphenate.

 

[Sheldon]

I read an article and it stated the priming compound was handled when in paste form. The pictures showed someone using what looked like a big putty knife to wipe the compound into a bunch of primer cups ganged up in a holder. I find it hard to believe they do them all by hand, but the article left me with that impression. They work the stuff in small batches to prevent major explosions.....which is hard to believe with the number of primers that must be made. Anyone else remember such an article?

 

[Arub]

I saw a clip, once, on how .22 rimfires are made. They have a set of tubes that come down and inject the primer into the formed casings, a large number at a time. I would expect centerfire primers to be automated also. The primer material was fluid. I may have viewed this on 'American Shooter'.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Kurt saxon makes something like this

I saw a video a buddy of mine has that shows him making ammonia-tri-iodide. This was some pretty funky stuff. Please excuse me if my memory is off, but as I recall this stuff was also paste just after mixing. in moist form it seemed inert. I wonder if this is similar stuff?
As he used blotter paper to dry it, he got more careful. just pryor to "dry" he would use it, deploy it, whatever. After dry, I swear this was cool. He touched it with a feather and pop! Really cool. I believe the video was "the poor man's James Bond". If you can tolerate his humerous rantings about Russian invasions, it is quite neat. By the way, be careful if you attempt any of his explosive mixtures yourself. Looks like one of his experiments got a hold of one of his hands.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Nitrogen tri-iodide...

Nothing like leaving purple stains all over the dorm in college!

We used to have contests to see who could blow up a fly that walked on it.

 

[Sven]

For an indepth (though perhaps slightly outdated) look at how primers were made, check out Philip B. Sharpe's guide to reloading... there are dozens of pages covering EVERY step of the manufacture of ammunition... fascinating stuff.

 

[Mike Irwin]

There's also a book published by NRA Publications in the 1980s or 1990s on the manufacture of ammunition, covering pretty much every step.

Can't remember the name, or the author, and it's in the basement and I'm upstairs. I'll get it later if I remember...