Home Made Snap caps very easy

[Lee Whitsel]

Back in 71 when I got into reloading as a newbe I was always told don't go pulling the trigger without a shell or a snap cap in it bad for firing pin could break it and have to replace it. When I asked an older gent about this his rely was very simple. Just take a pencil cut the eraser of it and trim it down with a knife till it fits tight in the primer pocket of any case you want to use. Cut of excess level with back of case and bingo works great for snap caps to save and damage to your firing pin price is right FREE.

 

[Will Henry]

I turn little pieces of nylon to replace the primer. I like to cushion the firing pin when dry firing too. WH

 

[Rat Rifle]

I did the same thing back in time. Now I just use a fired case. Plenty of cushion.

 

[BHP9]

One of the best things to do was clean, size and deprime case, then use the standard hot glue gun stick to fill the primer pocket, then once hardened use a utility knife the level out the glue.

 

[divingin]

I use O-ring stock (available from McMaster-Carr) In an appropriate diameter for the primer in question. Also used for plugging the pocket to get case volume when weighing water.

 

[Kevin1990]

How is dry firing going to break the firing pin? I'm honestly curious. I've dryfired rifles 10s of 1,000s of times with out issue.

 

[Cecil S.]

I read somewhere that filling the primer pocket with a hot glue gun will work, sounded like a easy solution.

 

[K9TXS]

I've only used snap caps for rimfire. I dry fire centerfire frequently and have never had any issues.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Could just as easily leave the spent primer in the case, stuff a bullet in the neck and BINGO, snap cap. Might even consider filling the case with epoxy? Mark the case with a MARKING pen so you KNOW it's NOT a live round.

 

[M-61]

In reality it’s only harmful to rimfires

 

[tmwinds]

In reality it’s only harmful to rimfires

And only some rimfires.

 

[divingin]

Could just as easily leave the spent primer in the case, stuff a bullet in the neck and BINGO, snap cap. Might even consider filling the case with epoxy? Mark the case with a MARKING pen so you KNOW it's NOT a live round.

Spent primer left in and restruck tends to take a really deep firing pin imprint, which, for any gun that has an inertia problem to begin with, may lessen the effectiveness.

That said, I also don't know what firearms are prone to having an unrestricted firing pin actually break from dry firing. I'd guess they're the heavier, sculpted types that you'd find in older rifles. And, as said non-limited (or mis-limited) rimfire guns.

 

[Thauglor]

With a 0.062 inch pin diameter, you are at 0.003019 square inches. With a 24lb firing pin spring you are at 7900 PSI. And this includes zero momentum energy contribution to the pressure which will be more substantial

How is a soft rubber eraser going to stop 7900 pounds per square inch of pressure when you can bend it with your fingers? Your glue gun, rubber oring, nylon bit is doing nothing. Same thing with your spent primer, after another 1 or 2 hits, your primer pin strike hole will be deeper than a regular hit and now does nothing to stop the firing pin.

 

[M-61]

With a 0.062 inch pin diameter, you are at 0.003019 square inches. With a 24lb firing pin spring you are at 7900 PSI. And this includes zero momentum energy contribution to the pressure which will be more substantial

How is a soft rubber eraser going to stop 7900 pounds per square inch of pressure when you can bend it with your fingers. Your glue gun, rubber oring, nylon bit is doing nothing. Same thing with your spent primer, after another 1 or 2 hits, your primer pin strike hole will be deeper than a regular hit and now does nothing to stop the firing pin.

Perfect answer as to what is really happening.

 

[hdskip]

Breaking firing pins is a very real and common thing in shotguns. Most shotgun snap caps have a spring loaded " primer".