My first reloads...depriming unfired primers? :-)

[raindog]

I'm reloading my first batch of ammo (.308 on a Lee Challenger press). Popped out the old primers just fine, reprimed, put powder in, and went to seat the bullet...oops. Apparently, I didn't size the necks properly, because the bullets are falling in the cases :-(

I suspect I didn't have the die set right - low enough to pop out the primer, but not low enough (or I didn't push up enough on the press) to resize the neck.

Anyway, now I have 20 or so rounds that need to have the necks resized...but I suspect I don't just want to pop 'em in the press again, since now there's a live primer in them.

What is the best way to get rid of the live primers?

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Can you remove the de-capping pin from the sizer die and then resize? In this case, you may not need to de-prime.

 

[madd0c]

You can SLOWLY pop out the live primers after emptying all the cases of any powder. Primers fire with impact or high heat, not pressure, so SLOWLY raising the case in the press to pop out the live primers is fine. Just don't slam the case up into the die, and also be sure to wear eye and ear protection while decapping live primers. If you do it in a controlled manner you probably won't pop any, but be prepared. Even if one goes off, as long as you emptied the cases out, it isn't dangerous. Just surprising and loud.

 

[fourdollarbill]

Ditto Mojo

 

[Oyeboten]

Get an inertial Bullet Puller...and, see if you can get the fallen Bullets out, first...of course...


Dump Out Powder...

...and, re-size, using a Die ( as others have said,) which has no De-Priming Pin.

 

[Atroxus]

I am a newby reloader so anyone correct me if I am wrong here. Everything I have read so far says to not decap live primers rather to fire the case with just the primer and no powder or bullet before decapping.

 

[raindog]

Removing the decapping pin is a graet idea...but I don't think I can do it. I'm using a Lee Deluxe die set and I can get the pin out of the full-length sizing die, but not the neck sizer. Hmm.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Captain Safety says not to de-cap live primers. YMMV. The safest, most sure way to correct loading issues is to chamber the EMPTY cartridges and fire the primers, then process as any fired cartridge. However, this does waste primers, which are a premium commodity now as I am sure you are aware.

Some have had good success de-capping live primers. You may or may not. Personally, I have not tried. My suggestion is to remove the de-capping pin from your sizing die and then size the cases using the die sans pin, therefore no need to de-cap as nothing will touch the primer.

You should use whichever method that makes you most comfortable.

Edit: Just saw your post on the die type you are using. If you can't remove the de-capping pin, you might try carefully de-capping one live one and see how it goes. If no go, then fire them and re-process.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Just looked at disassembled Lee neck sizer, and it appears that it will likely not work with the pin removed. If you have the full-length sizer, you might try using it on this batch without the pin

Lee neck sizing die disassembled:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/carteach0/case sizing/DSCF3278.jpg

 

[Shoney]

I just love to drag out my old poem on theses posts.

Removing Live Primers!

Got live primers? Take this to heart,
It’s not hard, it’s not an art;

How to remove? you might ask
Always safety first, on this little task;

Goggles and ear plugs; guard your senses;
Put up a board for good defenses;

Recycle those primer, any ol’ way;
For fowling shots, or just for play;

No primers to toss, no brass to pitch;
Just decap the hole on’at son-of-a-b-b-b-b-b---gun!

Shoney

 

[Steve Marshall]

If you didn't resize the neck, you didn't resize the body either. If you can't resize without the decapping pin due to die construction then you are left with 4 choices.
#1 see if your rounds will still chamber, if so resize just the necks. In other words don't go all the way.
#2 If that doesn't work, chamber the brass and fire the primer.
#3 Resize properly and de-cap live primers. No big deal.

#4 Send me the brass.

 

[rcmodel]

There is no safety issue with depriming live primers and using them again.

BUt if you don't want to go that route.
If you can't take the pin out, you should be able to screw out the expander stem far enough that it won't deprime, but still expand.

But I don't have any Lee rifle dies so I'm guessing.

rc