Reusing primers

[gamestalker]

I generally rarely ever need to punch a primer out of a case and then reuse it, simply because what I prime, I generally always shoot. I might pull some bullets and rework the powder charge now and then, but I rarely ever need to punch the primer, even if resizing the mouth again.

But what this thread is about, is for those of you / us that do punch them and seat them in another case, have you ever noticed any difference in how the primer seats, is it looser, or does it seat any deeper the result of having been seated once before?

I'm curious, mostly because I just punched 9 primers tonight due to some bad necks I didn't notice until after priming them, my bad. But when I reused the primers, I noticed that when I seated them in the new brass, they didn't feel as tight, and they seemed to seat deeper than the new never been seated primers I seated side by side. I use a priming die, so it's fairly easy for me to make an accurate assessment in this respect. CCI-250's by the way.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have punched out a dozen or more primers for the same reason you did and I used them all again and all went bang. If you don't damage the anvil it will fire perfectly. I'm cheap, I'm not throwing a primer away unless I have to!

 

[kcofohio]

If the primer pockets had been on the low side of the specs, then the primers could be resized smaller.

I recently was reusing some LR, when I noticed a couple went in too easy. Checked them and found a few at .207". I believe primer specs call for them to be .2105"-213". Primer pockets are .2085"-.210".

 

[gamestalker]

I probably should have just measured them, and then a new one as comparison, but you know what they say, think with one hand, and spit in the other. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed at times.

But ya, I pushed them out nice and steady, so I'm certain they're ok. Just wondering is all.

GS

 

[FROGO207]

I use the Lee hand primer and I can feel the two distinct places where the anvil first contacts the bottom and when the anvil is pressed into the priming compound when priming. On those that are reused there is a "different " feel but they all go bang anyway so far. FWIW I would use the reused ones for range ammo and not for hunting/SD just because.

 

[gamestalker]

That's sound advice Frogo207. No one would want to experience a FTF with their SD or hunting ammo.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree on not reusing primers in ammo that just has to go bang. I always mark the primer I reuse so I know for sure that round is range ammo...

It's like handgun ammo that goes through the washer in your pocket. I have never had one fail to fire but I still would not load that ammo in my carry gun...

 

[Hondo 60]

Yes, I've noticed that they seat easier (it's already been squished to the size of the pocket)
But other than that, I haven't noticed any other difference.

Does NOT seem to seat deeper or change the "felt recoil".

 

[witchhunter]

Sighters and foulers. But I have never had one not work, just don't want to chance it.