Removing unfired primers

[sigep749]

Dumb question, how do I go about removing unfired primers? I had some rounds that apparently didn't get sized or rectory and I didn't discover until the loads were complete. I can pull the bullets nd salvage the powder, but is there a way to salvage the primers?

 

[azjohn]

Pull your de-capping pin then resize.

 

[Ky Larry]

Lots of folks say you can just deprime the same as spent primer and reuse them like new primers.I've never done this so I can't say either way. You could just shoot the primer and then process as usual. How many cases are we talking about?

 

[dap22]

I've never had a problem (yet that is) removing/decapping live primers. Simply decap slowly and deliberately. I've also reused previously decapped primers without issue. Others may say differently but it's worked fine for me.

 

[beatledog7]

Yep, resize without the pin if all you want to do is size the brass. Then just rebuild the rounds normally.

If you want those primers for another application, you can use your sizing die or a universal decapper to gently press out unfired primers. They are designed to fire only from a sharp strike to the center of the cup face, so pressing gently on the anvil should not do it. Still, wear safety glasses and hearing protection.

Primers removed in this way can be reused. I recently backed out a hundred primers from old .223 tracer rounds (unknown brand, of course) without incident and have reused a couple dozen or so with 100% bang rate. You could easily test a few by resizing brass normally, recovering the primers, reseating them, and firing them in your gun.

Bet your next paycheck they go bang.

 

[mdi]

I've never had a problem (yet that is) removing/decapping live primers. Simply decap slowly and deliberately. I've also reused previously decapped primers without issue. Others may say differently but it's worked fine for me.

I've had the same experience...

 

[jcwit]

Once again, primers ignite from impact, SHARP IMPACT, not from pressure from pushing out. This is why the firing pin has such a strong spring.

Take the decapping out of your resizing die and resize. Or deprime and catch the unfired primers and reseat.

There you go!

 

[gamestalker]

Pull the bullets, and then as stated, slowly and with constant pressure decap them. I've done a good number of them like this for decades and have never had one pop.
So far as reusing primers, I have never done that because I don't want to experience what would be my first mis-fire in over 30 yrs. of reloading.

GS

 

[Leatherstocking]

Have had a few primers go off when inserting with a defective Lee Loader. (Lee replaced the priming base).
No big deal, a puff of smoke, v. little noise. Wear your glasses.

 

[kfelder]

I have deprimed live primers with no issues. In this case I agree with what several others have said a remove the decapping rod and just resize. I have also done this. So, both ways will work just fine.

 

[Hondo 60]

Lots of folks say you can just deprime the same as spent primer and reuse them like new primers.

I'm one of those "Lots of folks"
I've done it many of times & had absolutely zero issues.
Just don't slam the handle down & you can SAFELY deprime.

But why go through all that?
Just remove the decapping pin as azjohn suggested in post #2.

 

[Gtimothy]

No problem depriming good primers but wear those safety glasses just in case!

 

[bbuddtec]

yep, live de-primer here, unless I feel like using it as a cap for fun,

I just make contact, then slowly continue through...

...always with safeties on, cuz if jic happens, that anvil or cup may be airborne....

 

[1SOW]

Just resize and load it up, or remove the primer and start from scratch..
I'm one of those "lots of people" who have deprimed many pistol cases--all soft Feds.
The strike has to compress the primer to hit the anvil before it will fire. "Pushing" a primer out won't fire it.

 

[Clark]

I would not de cap live primers with a Lee loader pin and hammer... not without safety glasses and hearing protection.

 

[jcwit]

I would not de cap live primers with a Lee loader pin and hammer... not without safety glasses and hearing protection.

Well actually neither do I, but just wondering why the safety glasses are a must? The base of the case is enclosed, the punch isn't going to go flying, and its very doubtful the hammer will bounce off the punch.

There's nowhere for anything to go.

 

[Zeke/PA]

De-cap, Wearing Safety Glasses,dispose of the old primer, Tumble the brass,
Clean thoroughly, Full length resize, reload!
This is precisely what I did for a friend this past week when he needed some trial ammo .

 

[ZXD9]

Decap as you would spent primers. I do this but S L O W L Y.

 

[dagger dog]

If you are going to deprime them live use a press and goggles.

 

[jcwit]

Once again, why the safety goggles? Everything is enclosed by the decapping die and decapping pin, and the only direction for the primer to go if in fact it does go off, which it won't, is down unless the operator is using a hand held press.

 

[Nappers]

I'm sure the first time someone had an accidental discharge "thought it was unloaded".

Wear the goggles, or at least glasses. Better to be safe than sorry.

Again, it's a small explosion, where could it possibly go? in your eye under the right circumstances.

 

[LiveLife]

Wear the goggles, or at least glasses. Better to be safe than sorry ... it's a small explosion, where could it possibly go? in your eye under the right circumstances.

Definitely +1 on eye protection and do not underestimate the explosive potential and the velocity of primer cup/anvil.

I cooked off a primer inside two stainless steel mixing bowls for the Tula SP primer review thread (don't worry, the bowls are for garage use only) and the explosive force dented the bowl surface (dent mark matches anvil feet pattern).

IMO, that force/velocity could have easily penetrated the eye. I now have renewed respect for the priming compound's energy and will continue to wear eye protection when handling primers.

 

[jcwit]

Wear the goggles, or at least glasses. Better to be safe than sorry.

Again, it's a small explosion, where could it possibly go? in your eye under the right circumstances.

Definitely +1 on eye protection and do not underestimate the explosive potential and the velocity of primer cup/anvil.

I cooked off a primer inside two stainless steel mixing bowls for the Tula SP primer review thread (don't worry, the bowls are for garage use only) and the explosive force dented the bowl surface (dent mark matches anvil feet pattern).

IMO, that force/velocity could have easily penetrated the eye. I now have renewed respect for the priming compound's energy and will continue to wear eye protection when handling primers.

But we are not discussing cooking off primers. We are in fact talking about removing live primers with a press using a die. Every die I seen for removing primers encloses the case and the depriming pin encloses the inside of the case thus the primer and the star anvil have only one way to go, out of the case head towards the shell holder which also encloses the back of said case. Primer can then only go out thru the shell holder and down thru the ram. Nothing going up towards the operator unless they approach their table and press a whole lot differently than I do.

Wear safety glasses or goggles if you wish but whats the purpose?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Been knocking them out with a sizing die for years. Matter of fact, I did a half a dozen yesterday.

 

[LiveLife]

jcwit, you may be right for "this" thread as I also have deprimed live primers.

My recommendation was for "general" safe practice of primer handling as plenty of reloaders have posted mishaps of primer tubes and other primer detonations depending on the equipment used.