Recouping primers

[MoreIsLess]

I have a bunch of cases that that have active primers but they are belled to much to fit in my de-capping die. I was thinking of using a dremel tool to cut the top of the cases off below the bell and run them through the decapping die again to get the primers to pop out so I can re-use them. Will this work? any other ideas.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Punch, anvil and hammer. Test that the pocket isn't garbage on the first one/s.

OK wait. Strike that. I don't know what you're talking about so ignore.. you said live primers? Whatever you're talking about, don't do it.

 

[rcmodel]

Do you reload any other calibers besides that one??

If so, see if you can find any other die they will go in far enough to reduce the bell a little.

Cutting them with a Dremel would have to be done very carefully, as they will get hot instantly and the heat might set a primer off.


If I was going to cut them, I'd probably suggest a copper tubing cutter.

I for sure would not use a punch and hammer to deprime live primers.
You might shoot your eye out!

rc

 

[Certaindeaf]

I thought he had some puckered/fired primers/cases that wouldn't fit into a shellholder.. anyway.

 

[beatledog7]

Universal decapping die. If you don't have one, get one. You'll use it a lot.

 

[FROGO207]

I agree with RC. If you have a larger die just use it to slowly press the primers out then reuse them. You might even be able to save the brass for reuse if the die is the correct one to help you. One way to do it is to put the die in upside down after putting the decapping stem in upside down first in the die also. Not sure how this would work with a Lee set, but RCBS and others like that will screw together enough that the decapper will be low enough and the brass would never even touch the top of the die if you screw it up into the press enough.

 

[kingmt]

Can you get it to go in the crimp die? You may be able to save the brass.

 

[icanthitabarn]

Maybe just roll something flat on the case mouths, cant be that hard, then reflare them. Wax bullet making might use them up too.

 

[gamestalker]

Been there, done that.

A tubing cutter from HB will do the job, and safely too! Other wise, a universal decapping die will work just fine.

GS

 

[dragon813gt]

Universal decapping die. If you don't have one, get one. You'll use it a lot.

Deserves quoting again. If the case won't fit into that die then you have major problems.


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[GLOOB]

I'd be more concerned with saving the cases than the primers. Primers are too cheap to go sawing down each case to save them.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

the lee universal decapper is $10 i think. i use mine all the time.

 

[Sport45]

If you have a tubing cutter you can use it to remove the flare. Just don't stick the case in far enough to engage the cutting wheel. The roller will reduce the flare greatly in a turn or two. Then deprime and toss the case in the recycle bin since the mouth will probably split if you try to use it after that much flaring.

Then go ahead get the Universal Decapping die. As mentioned above, you'll be glad you have one.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree a crimp die will probably bring them back into a "normal" size range and probably allow you to load them up as usual.

 

[moewadle]

Maybe I am a safety nut gone too far

but with primers costing 3 cents a piece how many are there that makes this worth retrieving them? The danger level looks too large to me. Why risk injury. It is not worth it in my opinion.

 

[rcmodel]

I do agree about the cost being not worth it, but not about the risk.
There is no risk if you deprime them properly with a reloading die.

But I would be way more interested in saving the brass somehow then cutting it off to save a few cheap primers.

You probably blew off more nickles & dimes today accelerating away from a stoplight faster then necessary than a few primers & your time is worth.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

but with primers costing 3 cents a piece how many are there that makes this worth retrieving them? The danger level looks too large to me. Why risk injury. It is not worth it in my opinion.

Where is the risk of injury and danger? Primers are made to ignite by sharply striking the outside of the cup, not pushing on the inside of the primer. Even if the primers does ignite, so what? If you're using eye and ear protection as you should be you will hardly notice.

I have removed live primers from brass more times than I like to admit and I've reused all of them and they all went bang...

 

[kingmt]

3 cents a primer is worth my time. It would take less than 5 minutes per 100 to recover them with tax that is easily $40 a hour. I don't make that at work.

 

[dickttx]

Easiest way suggested a couple of times.
Run them through the crimp die, then resize & punch out primer.

 

[MoreIsLess]

but with primers costing 3 cents a piece how many are there that makes this worth retrieving them? The danger level looks too large to me. Why risk injury. It is not worth it in my opinion.

I am not concerned about the cost savings. I just don't like disposing of cases with live primers in them.

 

[Pit4Brains]

I like the crimp die with the seat plug removed, chamber the things and fire off the primers. Reload as normal..

 

[MoreIsLess]

Been there, done that.

A tubing cutter from HB will do the job, and safely too! Other wise, a universal decapping die will work just fine.

GS

I found an old copper tube cutter I had in my tool box and used that. It worked like a charm. Put the case in the jaw of the cutter, tighten down the wheel just under the flare and spin it around a few times and presto.