Another minor issue... - The Firearms Forum

Horsky1911 · 11-02-2009, 06:52 PM

Was hand priming some brass and a primer flipped. How does one remove a primer that is upside down... Never had this happen before. Thanks in advance.

JLA · 11-02-2009, 07:00 PM

stick it in the resizing die and dont look at it while you pull the press handle. Just put it on the shell holder and look away until it pops out. I have never had one go off but if it did it would be pretty loud and might spray flames at you. As long as you pull the handle slow and steady it should pop out pretty easily and harmlessly. Dont try to reuse the primer, throw it away...

res45 · 11-02-2009, 07:21 PM

As stated just run the brass back through the resizing die,just go slow and easy,most time the pressure will pop the primer out before the pin even hits it,wear safety glass if you feel the need to. I've never had one go off I reuse the primer to no sense throwing away a good primer,mine always went bang.

woolleyworm · 11-02-2009, 07:29 PM

my "anal retentive as usual" approach to this :

Primer is .04 - not worth even a billon to one chance for me to take if it does go off or to put into a loaded round and have it misfire. I do agree that it will most always function if loaded up, but .04 just aint worth it to me.

Spray the primer with a small shot of WD, THEN punch out with resize die after a min or two. Toss primer and clean case of any residue. I also do NOT keep WD within 10' of my bench. I spray well away from any reloading equipment.

I don't put my faith into WD killing 100% of the primers either, I still ensure I've got glasses on and pull it SLOOW and steady.

Gearheadpyro · 11-02-2009, 07:58 PM

+1 woolley worm. I've run them back through the die safely before, but was super slow and gentle about it. Should it happen again though I will deactivate it with some RP as wooley worm mentioned. I've heard horror stories about people pressing live ones out and having them go off, wouldn't want to find out the merits to the stories personally.

gdmoody · 11-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Over the last 35 years, I have probably done 1000 just like JLA says and have never had one go off.

woolleyworm · 11-02-2009, 08:29 PM

ok, this may be being a bit of an A-retentive butthead here, but 1000 primers at lets say .025 a piece average over the last decade. If the next one just does happen to go off by chance; I'd say that was $25 very poorly spent. I have witnessed live primers punched out on several occasions, be it they were in flipped, sideways, crushed or whatever and have never seen one go off yet. Seen and heard plenty of pics and stories online when one did though. Just not worth it IMO, I'm more than happy to pay an extra 2-3 bucks a year on wasted primers for safety's sake. I think I've tossed 5 or 6 this year, so safety has cost me about a quarter so far.

gdmoody · 11-02-2009, 08:33 PM

All I can say if one doesn't want to punch them out, then they don't have to. I do.

dsv424 · 11-02-2009, 08:41 PM

I don't get many loaded backwards but all the ones I have done as stated by others, just slowly remove with the resize die. Have never had a problem removing them. Just take care and go slow and of course wear ear and eye protection. I realize the monitary gain is infestimal but with a 100% success rate don't see why not removing and re-using them. Of course its your call.

JLA · 11-02-2009, 09:12 PM

i like the safety aspect, better safe than sorry. But then again following the rules never really appealed to me much to be quite honest...

johnlives4christ · 11-02-2009, 09:53 PM

ive taken primers and busted them with a hammer, and of course safety glasses. i wouldnt be afraid of it going off unless it was confined, i'd just turn my head. the ones i busted were uhm, i think large rifle primers. probably not the smartest thing i've done, but i didnt see any real danger.

Popgunner · 11-02-2009, 10:46 PM

I've had several go off using Lee loaders & a couple were large rifle & very loud. I've decapped probably 50-60 live primers using a presss & wouldn't think there would be any problem if one did go off that way. I do use my safety glasses especialy priming with Lee Loaders.

LDBennett · 11-03-2009, 07:38 AM

I've never had a primer go off while removing an inverted one. I often reuse them too. But...

I will not tell someone else to do it. Do it at your own risk. It CAN BE dangerous so accept the risk yourself.

I would add that I have never had a primer go off in my press or in any tool I use in reloading under any circumstance. Any tool that sets off a primer is junk and should be discarded (the Lee loaders mentioned!). That's my opinon and yours may differ.

LDBennett

res45 · 11-03-2009, 09:41 AM

If putting one in backwards bothers you wait till you smash one in sideways,I've done that a few time the past 25+ years on some tight primer pockets still never had one go off. As stated above do at your own risk when it come to reloading safety issues your the best judge of whats acceptable in your case.

dsv424 · 11-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Bitin' my tongue this time LD

You just had to give him some fuel Popgunner!

LDBennett · 11-04-2009, 12:02 PM

Perhaps I was a bit harsh. I'll restate it to be politically correct and non-confrontational:

"A tool that pops primers is probably not safe. A person with such a tool should perhaps consider another (??)."

dsv424, how's that. Notice I didn't even say anything about how bad most Lee tools really are, did I. :-) :-)

All kidding aside, I would inspect the tool and its operation to determine if it is indeed unsafe. If the only problem is when used to remove live primers then I would not use the tool for that purpose, ever again. Lee loaders have a purpose, I suppose, just not for me and perhaps not to remove live primers (??).

LDBennett

dsv424 · 11-04-2009, 03:37 PM

LD, I was waiting with baited anticipation for your rebuttal. All I can say I love the back and forth banter regarding Lee products. I just hope that one day mine doesn't experience some kind of failure and force me to eat crow

But then again with you out there I don't think I would post it on this forum

.

But seriously, if people would take their time and be cognisent of what they are doing, accidents like setting off a primer would not happen. Regarding primers I feel if you go slow and easy you won't ever have a problem de-priming them. This is from doing hundreds of them with my Lee Classic Turret. Granted, I have no experience with Lee Loaders.

Take care, Dennis

woolleyworm · 11-04-2009, 05:57 PM

Well, gotta give LD some credit, for every 9 outa 10 times when he states the facts with Lee, it's not so good, but that 1 outa 10 is good praise. Have to say that that is a much better track record than I am about GM products !!

GM went from a great truck to complete junk in less than 2 decades.... will NEVER buy one again.

JLA · 11-04-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

I've never had a primer go off while removing an inverted one. I often reuse them too. But...

I will not tell someone else to do it. Do it at your own risk. It CAN BE dangerous so accept the risk yourself.

I would add that I have never had a primer go off in my press or in any tool I use in reloading under any circumstance. Any tool that sets off a primer is junk and should be discarded (the Lee loaders mentioned!). That's my opinon and yours may differ.

LDBennett

Not harsh LD... well just start calling you Mr. Disclaimer

myg30 · 11-05-2009, 06:36 PM

You can always collect them for a rainy day when you clear off your bench, empty the powder dispencer if using progressive and THEN de-prime the upside down,sideways primers of course with safty glasses ON and the bench clear of ALL powder,primers etc..

Be safe always is rule #1.

Mike

Horsky1911 · 11-18-2009, 07:10 PM

Thanks guys got it out. I just wanted to be sure on how to do it as my reloading friend who I would usually call was on a hunting trip. As per normal you guys give excellent and sound advice. I also do not consider reusing a primer cost effective as it happens rarely.

DWARREN123 · 11-19-2009, 09:51 PM

I just use the resizer/deprimer die and pop it out using eye protection and hand protection. Never had one go off yet and I do reuse the primer.

308 at my gate · 11-19-2009, 10:33 PM

I take a heavy piece of cloth and wrap it around the press and then push the primer out nice and slow.

RustyFN · 11-20-2009, 10:55 PM

I punch them out with the sizing die and reuse them for range practice ammo. Never had a problem with a reused one not going off when I wanted it to but I haven't done this much because I haven't had many primer issues.

11-02-2009, 07:00 PM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Another minor issue... stick it in the resizing die and dont look at it while you pull the press handle. Just put it on the shell holder and look away until it pops out. I have never had one go off but if it did it would be pretty loud and might spray flames at you. As long as you pull the handle slow and steady it should pop out pretty easily and harmlessly. Dont try to reuse the primer, throw it away... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-02-2009, 07:21 PM	#3
res45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 182	Re: Another minor issue... As stated just run the brass back through the resizing die,just go slow and easy,most time the pressure will pop the primer out before the pin even hits it,wear safety glass if you feel the need to. I've never had one go off I reuse the primer to no sense throwing away a good primer,mine always went bang. Last edited by res45; 11-03-2009 at 09:33 AM..

11-02-2009, 07:29 PM	#4
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: Another minor issue... my "anal retentive as usual" approach to this : Primer is .04 - not worth even a billon to one chance for me to take if it does go off or to put into a loaded round and have it misfire. I do agree that it will most always function if loaded up, but .04 just aint worth it to me. Spray the primer with a small shot of WD, THEN punch out with resize die after a min or two. Toss primer and clean case of any residue. I also do NOT keep WD within 10' of my bench. I spray well away from any reloading equipment. I don't put my faith into WD killing 100% of the primers either, I still ensure I've got glasses on and pull it SLOOW and steady. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." . Last edited by woolleyworm; 11-02-2009 at 08:58 PM..

11-02-2009, 07:58 PM	#5
Gearheadpyro V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 110	Re: Another minor issue... +1 woolley worm. I've run them back through the die safely before, but was super slow and gentle about it. Should it happen again though I will deactivate it with some RP as wooley worm mentioned. I've heard horror stories about people pressing live ones out and having them go off, wouldn't want to find out the merits to the stories personally. __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor

11-02-2009, 08:13 PM	#6
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,354	Re: Another minor issue... Over the last 35 years, I have probably done 1000 just like JLA says and have never had one go off. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

11-02-2009, 06:52 PM	#1
Horsky1911 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Claremont, NH Posts: 46	Another minor issue... Was hand priming some brass and a primer flipped. How does one remove a primer that is upside down... Never had this happen before. Thanks in advance. __________________ *Teach a kid to shoot, and I do not mean in a video game.* -->

11-02-2009, 08:29 PM	#7
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: Another minor issue... ok, this may be being a bit of an A-retentive butthead here, but 1000 primers at lets say .025 a piece average over the last decade. If the next one just does happen to go off by chance; I'd say that was $25 very poorly spent. I have witnessed live primers punched out on several occasions, be it they were in flipped, sideways, crushed or whatever and have never seen one go off yet. Seen and heard plenty of pics and stories online when one did though. Just not worth it IMO, I'm more than happy to pay an extra 2-3 bucks a year on wasted primers for safety's sake. I think I've tossed 5 or 6 this year, so safety has cost me about a quarter so far. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-02-2009, 08:33 PM	#8
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,354	Re: Another minor issue... All I can say if one doesn't want to punch them out, then they don't have to. I do. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

11-02-2009, 08:41 PM	#9
dsv424 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland, Tx. Posts: 279	Re: Another minor issue... I don't get many loaded backwards but all the ones I have done as stated by others, just slowly remove with the resize die. Have never had a problem removing them. Just take care and go slow and of course wear ear and eye protection. I realize the monitary gain is infestimal but with a 100% success rate don't see why not removing and re-using them. Of course its your call.

11-02-2009, 09:12 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Another minor issue... i like the safety aspect, better safe than sorry. But then again following the rules never really appealed to me much to be quite honest... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-02-2009, 09:53 PM	#11
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Another minor issue... ive taken primers and busted them with a hammer, and of course safety glasses. i wouldnt be afraid of it going off unless it was confined, i'd just turn my head. the ones i busted were uhm, i think large rifle primers. probably not the smartest thing i've done, but i didnt see any real danger.

11-02-2009, 10:46 PM	#12
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Another minor issue... I've had several go off using Lee loaders & a couple were large rifle & very loud. I've decapped probably 50-60 live primers using a presss & wouldn't think there would be any problem if one did go off that way. I do use my safety glasses especialy priming with Lee Loaders.

11-03-2009, 07:38 AM	#13
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Another minor issue... I've never had a primer go off while removing an inverted one. I often reuse them too. But... I will not tell someone else to do it. Do it at your own risk. It CAN BE dangerous so accept the risk yourself. I would add that I have never had a primer go off in my press or in any tool I use in reloading under any circumstance. Any tool that sets off a primer is junk and should be discarded (the Lee loaders mentioned!). That's my opinon and yours may differ. LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 11-03-2009 at 04:42 PM..

11-03-2009, 09:41 AM	#14
res45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 182	Re: Another minor issue... If putting one in backwards bothers you wait till you smash one in sideways,I've done that a few time the past 25+ years on some tight primer pockets still never had one go off. As stated above do at your own risk when it come to reloading safety issues your the best judge of whats acceptable in your case.

11-04-2009, 10:44 AM	#15
dsv424 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland, Tx. Posts: 279	Re: Another minor issue... Bitin' my tongue this time LD You just had to give him some fuel Popgunner!

11-04-2009, 12:02 PM	#16
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Another minor issue... Perhaps I was a bit harsh. I'll restate it to be politically correct and non-confrontational: "A tool that pops primers is probably not safe. A person with such a tool should perhaps consider another (??)." dsv424, how's that. Notice I didn't even say anything about how bad most Lee tools really are, did I. :-) :-) All kidding aside, I would inspect the tool and its operation to determine if it is indeed unsafe. If the only problem is when used to remove live primers then I would not use the tool for that purpose, ever again. Lee loaders have a purpose, I suppose, just not for me and perhaps not to remove live primers (??). LDBennett

11-04-2009, 03:37 PM	#17
dsv424 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Garland, Tx. Posts: 279	Re: Another minor issue... LD, I was waiting with baited anticipation for your rebuttal. All I can say I love the back and forth banter regarding Lee products. I just hope that one day mine doesn't experience some kind of failure and force me to eat crow But then again with you out there I don't think I would post it on this forum. But seriously, if people would take their time and be cognisent of what they are doing, accidents like setting off a primer would not happen. Regarding primers I feel if you go slow and easy you won't ever have a problem de-priming them. This is from doing hundreds of them with my Lee Classic Turret. Granted, I have no experience with Lee Loaders. Take care, Dennis

11-04-2009, 05:57 PM	#18
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,885	Re: Another minor issue... Well, gotta give LD some credit, for every 9 outa 10 times when he states the facts with Lee, it's not so good, but that 1 outa 10 is good praise. Have to say that that is a much better track record than I am about GM products !! GM went from a great truck to complete junk in less than 2 decades.... will NEVER buy one again. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-05-2009, 06:36 PM	#20
myg30 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nash,TN. Posts: 25	Re: Another minor issue... You can always collect them for a rainy day when you clear off your bench, empty the powder dispencer if using progressive and THEN de-prime the upside down,sideways primers of course with safty glasses ON and the bench clear of ALL powder,primers etc.. Be safe always is rule #1. Mike

11-18-2009, 07:10 PM	#21
Horsky1911 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Claremont, NH Posts: 46	Re: Another minor issue... Thanks guys got it out. I just wanted to be sure on how to do it as my reloading friend who I would usually call was on a hunting trip. As per normal you guys give excellent and sound advice. I also do not consider reusing a primer cost effective as it happens rarely. __________________ *Teach a kid to shoot, and I do not mean in a video game.*

11-19-2009, 09:51 PM	#22
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 764	Re: Another minor issue... I just use the resizer/deprimer die and pop it out using eye protection and hand protection. Never had one go off yet and I do reuse the primer. __________________ Have a nice day!

11-19-2009, 10:33 PM	#23
308 at my gate Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lost in SW USA. Posts: 847	Re: Another minor issue... I take a heavy piece of cloth and wrap it around the press and then push the primer out nice and slow. __________________ You got to love it.

11-20-2009, 10:55 PM	#24
RustyFN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 592	Re: Another minor issue... I punch them out with the sizing die and reuse them for range practice ammo. Never had a problem with a reused one not going off when I wanted it to but I haven't done this much because I haven't had many primer issues.